National Performance Track

The National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT) program is a voluntary partnership program run by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which recognizes top environmental performance among participating US facilities of all sizes and forms, both public and private. The program stresses continual environmental improvement through the use of environmental management systems (EMS), performance measures and public outreach.
 
To qualify for membership, facilities must have an EMS in place for at least one full cycle that has been assessed by a third party, and the facility needs to consistently meet (or exceed) their environmental legal requirements. A record of past environmental performance and a commitment to continuous improvement are mandatory, as is a program for community outreach. The NEPT program offers participating facilities benefits such as positive public recognition, networking and regulatory flexibility opportunities.
 
EPA, both Headquarters and Region III, have Memoranda of Agreement with the Virginia DEQ. These documents commit the agencies to coordinate and partner on the implementation, development and marketing of incentives and administration of the NEPT and VEEP programs. For instance, facilities accepted into the NEPT program do not have to separately apply for E3 participation in VEEP (a letter to DEQ requesting acceptance into the program is all that is required). Similarly, DEQ accepts NEPT annual reports in lieu of E3 annual reports. Alternatively, VEEP's E2 and E3 structure provides an excellent path for facilities interested in eventually applying to NEPT. In addition, DEQ is very active in national discussions with EPA and other states regarding incentives for VEEP, NEPT and other similar state programs.
 
To access copies of facility applications and annual reports, click here.