Month: June 2009

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Overview of P2 GHG & Cost Savings Calculators

It’s the final day of the GLRPPR/Region 7 Conference in Indianapolis, IN. On the agenda for this afternoon is a webinar presented by Natalie Hummel of the U.S. EPA providing an overview of two new measurement tools developed by U.S. EPA Headquarters. The GHG Calculator is designed to assist P2 managers, staff and grantees in calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from established conversion factors in the following categories:

  • Electricity Conservation (GHG reductions from electricity conversation or reduced use of energy)
  • Green Energy (GHG reductions from switching to greener or renewable energy sources)
  • Fuel Substitution (GHG reductions from reduced fuel use, substitution to greener fuels)
  • Greening Chemistry (GHG reductions from reduced use of GWP chemicals)
  • Water Conservation (GHG reductions from reduced water use)
  • Materials Management (GHG reductions from green manufacturing processes and waste management scenarios)
  • Cross Reference to other applicable tools (A reference table that provides end users an overview of applicable GHG tools and models)

The P2 Results Database, a web-based tool, designed to collect and quantify P2 progress related to air, water, waste and energy reductions from non-profits, local, state, and federal entities plays a significant role in demonstrating P2 benefits on a regional and national level. A critical part of the P2 Results Database is documenting cost savings that result from government, businesses and facilities implementing P2 activities. This database uses a P2 cost calculator to quantify cost savings based on established methodologies and sound research. Over the last several months, the Pollution Prevention Program worked to update and redesign the tool to enhance functionality and better document cost benefits over time. Today’s webinar will also provide an overview of the cost calculator tool.

If you were unable to attend this week’s conference and/or the webinar provided today, or if you would like to recommend the webinar to your colleagues, the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) will be providing a similar webinar on June 18, 2009. See the GLRPPR calendar entry for the WSPPN webinar for details and a link to the event registration page.

For more useful calculators and links to your regional module of the P2 Results Data System, see the GLRPPR P2 Measurement & Calculators Sector Resource.

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Spotlight: Clean Manufacturing Technology Institute

Continuing our focus on Indiana P2 programs, the Clean Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), based at Purdue University, provides technical assistance, outreach, education, planning services and research to facilitate the adoption of pollution prevention/clean manufacturing strategies by Indiana manufacturing facilities.

CMTI offers assistance in all manufacturing sectors, but has special expertise in plastics (including fiber reinforced plastic), wood products, metal finishing, metal and plastic coatings, foundries and motor vehicle parts manufacturing.

CMTI co-founded (in 1996), and continues to manage, the Coating Applications Research Laboratory (CARL) on the Purdue campus. The lab allows manufacturers to test state-of-the-art coating and curing technologies under the guidance of CMTI engineers expert in their application. CMTI also offers ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) services businesses and government entities. Training and energy efficiency assessments are also provided by CMTI.

Check out the CMTI web site for an archive of Technology Transfer/Pollution Prevention Case Studies. You can also browse the CMTI Clearinghouse Bibliography online.

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Spotlight: Environmental Stewardship Program

Today we continue to highlight Indiana P2 programs as the GLRPPR/Region 7 conference begins in Indianapolis. Modeled upon the now closed U.S. EPA National Environmental Performance Track Program, IDEM’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) is a voluntary program that rewards regulated entities for outstanding environmental performance with regulatory flexibility, public recognition and networking opportunities. Participants use environmental management systems (EMS) to achieve their environmental goals.

Any regulated entity in Indiana may participate in ESP regardless of type, size, or complexity. The program website elaborates upon the eligibility requirements. Participant benefits include, among other things, expedited and flexible permits, reduced reporting frequency, reduced recordkeeping and reporting, a press release, use of the program logo, and opportunities for networking. A complete list of incentives is available on the program web site.

According to the program website, applications for ESP are accepted twice a year, from April 1–May 31 and September 1–October 31. See the application process web page or contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (800) 988-7901 for more information.

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Region 5 & 7 Conference almost here

[Post author: Bob Iverson]

Sign up for the joint conference being offered by Region 5 & 7. It will be held June 3-5 in Indianapolis Indiana. Registration and more information is available at http://www.glrppr.org/meetings/Summer2009/. It will be held at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in downtown Indianapolis.

Here is the agenda for the three day event. Join us!

Wednesday, June 3
8:00- 8:30 am – Registration and networking

8:30-Noon: Illinois Sustainable Technology Center – Green Business Workshop
Save money and improve your organization’s environmental performance through green business practices. Specific topics include greening the office, green purchasing, activity based cost accounting, greening the supply chain, recycling, and green cleaning/janitorial practices. The training will also cover energy efficiency opportunities associated with common office functions, such as heating/air conditioning, electronic devices, appliances, and lighting.

12-1:30p.m. – lunch

1:30-3:15 p.m.
The Kansas Green Teams – A case study of teams that have brought efficiencies/greening systems into the office and industrial workplace. This program has been especially successful in Green Government projects.

Thursday, June 4
8:30 – 8:45 Welcome – Rick Bossingham, Assistant Commissioner of IDEM Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance

8:45 – 9:45 – Tanya Mottley- U.S. EPA – Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Discussion of EPA’s Strategic Plan

9:45 – 11:00 –
Roundtable discussion- How do traditional P2 organizations fit into Sustainability efforts? How is your program changing?

11:00- 11:15 Break

11:15 – 12:00 City of Indianapolis
Kären Haley, Director, Office of Sustainability – Where Indianapolis is headed…

12:00 – 1:30 Lunch

1:30-2:30 – Denise Coogan – Subaru of Indiana – Sustainability / How they became zero landfill

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-3:30 pm : Tony Nesky – R5 Sustainability Network

3:30 – 4:00pm : Phil Kaplan – EPA Regional Pollution Prevention results

Friday, June 5
8:30 – 9:30 – P2 Tech 2.0: Using Web 2.0 to improve information discovery and collaboration – Rick Yoder

9:30 – 10:15 – Greg Hume – Techsolve
Green Supplier’s Network and Collaboration with City of Columbus, Ohio and AEP

10:15 – 11:00 – Dr. Michal Kopach, Eli Lilly – The use of Electronic Lab Notebook for Green Science at Eli Lilly and Company

11:00 – 11:15 Break

11:15 – 12:15 – Cam Metcalf – Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center, University of Louisville
7 steps of an Energy Management Program

12:15 – 1:30 Lunch

1:30-2:30 – Greenhouse gas calculator and P2 cost savings
Natalie Hummel U.S. EPA, OPPT– webinar at computer lab IGCS conf center

2:30 – Dismiss

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Spotlight: Partners for Pollution Prevention

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 2009 GLRPPR/Region 7 Conference, which will be held in Indianapolis, IN June 3-5. In honor of the host state for our conference, we’ll be featuring pollution prevention programs this week that call the great state of Indiana home. Today’s spotlight is on the Partners for Pollution Prevention (P4P2).

Organized by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in 1996, the purpose of P4P2 is to assist industry in sharing pollution prevention successes and to advise IDEM on pollution prevention policy and programs. The Partners represent industry, government, academia and environmental organizations interested in advancing pollution prevention in Indiana, as well as the financial and environmental benefits P2 projects can bring.

According to the program website, there are currently 55 Partners, many of which have received the Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The benefits of being a Partner include, among other things, exchanging information on P2 technologies and successes with your peers, being recognized statewide for your P2 efforts and potentially having your P2 projects promoted in IDEM publications.

If you are interested in applying for membership to P4P2, or would like more information, contact IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention & Technical Assistance at 800-988-7901 or 317-233-6662. Becoming a member involves committing to the Partners Pledge. New Partners are inducted at quarterly meetings, and Partners are required to complete the annual recertification to share P2 success stories and data.

Check out the Partners Activity page for copies of reports and presentations given at quarterly meetings.  Another major activity for the  Partners is the organization of the Annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show.