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Governor's Management Scorecard

Environmental and Historic Stewardship Criteria

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Pollution prevention

Participation in DEQ's Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) at the E2 level qualifies an agency for "Meets Expectations" for these requirements. VEEP is a voluntary program that provides recognition and incentives for facilities of all types to implement environmental management systems and pollution prevention programs. Facilities applying for E2 status must be able to demonstrate that significant progress towards the development of an environmental management system has been made. In addition, facilities must meet the VEEP requirements for compliance with air, water and waste requirements. The E2 application is available on DEQ's website.

To assist state agencies begin implementing their pollution prevention programs and preparing their E2 applications, DEQ has developed the following resources:

  • Environmental Policy Statements: All E2 applications must include an environmental policy statement, outlining the facility's commitment to the environment. When reviewing each application, DEQ staff will look for an environmental policy statement that:

    1. includes/stresses compliance, pollution prevention, training, communication & continuous improvement; and
    2. addresses elements that are supported by EMS activities.

    Click here for examples. (MS Word format)

  • Identification of Environmental Impacts: All E2 applications must include a description of the facility's process for identifying and evaluating its environmental aspects (activities) and impacts (results of the activities). At a minimum, each application should include a list of the facility's most significant environmental impacts. Once a comprehensive list of aspects has been compiled, they must be ranked. Objectives and tasks would be developed for those aspects that score/rank as "significant." However, aspects that are not deemed significant may still be addressed by the facility. When reviewing each application, DEQ staff will look for:

    1. comprehensive list of impacts/aspects;
    2. method for determining significant impacts/aspects;
    3. impact/aspect review process outlined; and
    4. scheduled review and reevaluation of impacts.

    Click here for examples. (MS Word format)

  • Setting Objectives & Targets: All E2 applications must include a list of the facility's objectives for reducing its significant environmental aspects. Ideally, objectives will include numerical goals with projects designed to achieve these goals. Facilities should identify specific tasks to achieve the objectives that include a schedule for completing tasks and assign responsibility. When reviewing each application, DEQ staff will look for:

    1. objectives which address the facility's significant aspects; and
    2. planned tasks for addressing each objective with a targeted schedule for implementation.

    Click here for examples. (MS Word format)

  • Pollution Prevention: For the pollution prevention section, agencies should list any other environmental projects outside of the ones already included in the application that are ongoing or planned, including quantified reductions realized or expected and any cost savings. When reviewing each application, DEQ staff will look for:

    1. a dedicated pollution prevention section listing projects & accomplishments;
    2. quantified results and costs savings; and
    3. pollution prevention activities outside of significant impacts/aspects.

Pollution prevention focuses on eliminating or reducing waste at its source, as opposed to managing, disposing and/or treating a waste. Facilities of all types have shown that adopting pollution prevention approaches can lead to significant environmental results as well as cost savings. DEQ promotes pollution prevention approaches and techniques, such as source reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, toxic chemical use reduction and the use of green building concepts, through a variety of programs. For more information, please review DEQ's list of pollution prevention ideas (PDF).

Contact information

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