Author: Laura L Barnes

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Documents recently added to GLRPPR sector resources

These publications were recently added to GLRPPR’s Sector Resources. This list is also available as an RSS feed at http://www.istc.illinois.edu/info/library_docs/SectorRSS.htm.

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Environment
Tue, 19 May 2009 15:17:47 GMT
Bibliographic database of publications related to the characterization, analysis, environmental fate, toxicology, and treatment of pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment.

Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency Toolkit
Thu, 14 May 2009 13:37:10 GMT
The Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency (RDEE) Toolkit provides detailed program design and implementation guides for 10 broadly applicable energy efficiency programs. The RDEE Toolkit helps all entities choose successful programs as they advance energy efficiency program funding opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The Toolkit focuses on programs that have extensive, proven field experience, along with documentation on program design, program cost, and results. If implemented as directed, these programs should produce clear, measurable, and predictable energy savings and jobs. The Toolkit is being developed through a joint effort of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), building upon technical information provided by the Leadership Group of the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency. Includes links to the RDEE Planning Guide and RDEE Implementation Guide.

GreenEnergyTV
Thu, 14 May 2009 13:27:59 GMT
An online television channel that is dedicated to airing green videos for millions of viewers around the world.

How We “Greened Up” and Saved Lots of Money
Wed, 13 May 2009 20:07:47 GMT
Powerpoint slide show of Gordon Hudson and his wife’s efforts to reduce their energy use. Includes lots of great pictures and data charts.

Retail Industry Portal
Tue, 12 May 2009 21:43:16 GMT
The Retail Industry Portal provides access to the many programs and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues at retail establishments. The site includes both compliance and sustainability resources.

Potential Impacts of Climate Change in the United States
Tue, 12 May 2009 15:37:33 GMT
This paper summarizes the current state of scientific understanding of the potential effects of projected changes in climate and related developments.

Solving the Puzzle: Researching the Impacts of Climate Change Around the World
Tue, 12 May 2009 15:35:03 GMT
Th is report addresses some of the major questions facing climate change researchers, and how those puzzles are being addressed by NSF-funded activities.

State Climate Policy Tracker
Mon, 11 May 2009 20:20:57 GMT
The State Climate Policy Tracker is a single spreadsheet with one tab devoted to each state that has completed or is in the process of completing a climate action plan. A seven column matrix captures the climate actions taking place across six economic sectors, and reports on the progress of each measure, its cost or cost-saving potential, and the estimated reduction in carbon emissions expected on an annual basis.

The Competitiveness Impacts of Climate Change Mitigation Policies
Mon, 11 May 2009 18:32:37 GMT
A close look at the historical relationship between energy prices and U.S. production and consumption of energy-intensive goods suggests that energy-intensive manufacturers are likely to face only modest “competitiveness” impacts under a U.S. greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, according to this report.

Green Cities: How Urban Sustainability Efforts Can and Must Drive America’s Climate Change Policies
Mon, 11 May 2009 18:30:59 GMT
Evaluates how well cities across the country are working on reducing urban emissions, and lays out the three key areas that will make the most impact in the least amount of time.

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IDEM issues “Clean Air Indiana” challenge as ozone season kicks off

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

As national Air Quality Awareness Week comes to a close, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is revving up its annual ozone awareness campaign to encourage Hoosier businesses to review the impact their daily habits play on air quality.

The new “Clean Air Indiana” initiative challenges Hoosier businesses to take a pledge that they will reduce unhealthy air emissions, improve Indiana’s air quality, reduce business costs, help employees and earn them recognition.

To help businesses become more aware of the benefits of an effective clean air program, IDEM has launched a new Web site, www.idem.IN.gov/6249.htm, and prepared a tool kit fully stocked with resources. The Clean Air Indiana pledge specifically asks businesses to take actions that will result in reduced emissions from June 15-30, the time of summer that has historically high levels of ground-level ozone.

“We’ve spent the winter creating a program that can help businesses recognize the value of being good environmental stewards,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Businesses may find that there are cost savings to be had just by implementing a simple change in the workplace to improve their commitment to the environment. In addition to a commitment to improving the quality of life for employees, an added bonus of an environmental improvement in the workplace is the commitment to the surrounding community.”

IDEM’s Clean Air Indiana campaign is an extension of last year’s Ozone Knockout campaign, which entailed staff visits to communities to help raise awareness of the effects of activities on air quality. At the close of the 2008 ozone season, air monitors in all parts of Indiana measured ozone levels under the United States Environmental Protection Agency threshold of 85 parts per billion (ppb) for the first time since the standard was established in 1997. This is a strong indicator that air quality in Indiana is permanently improving.

In addition to the new Clean Air Indiana initiative, IDEM provides other resources related to air quality. Indiana’s Smog Watch Web site is an informational tool IDEM created to share daily air quality forecasts, including information about ground-level ozone and particulate matter air quality forecasts, health information, and monitoring data for seven regions of the state. Smog Watch can be accessed at www.smogwatch.IN.gov.

Additionally, IDEM’s LEADS Web site, at www.idem.IN.gov/airfacts, offers access to near real-time data from air monitors statewide. Approximately 65 percent of Indiana’s air monitoring network is now available via this system. The complete IDEM LEADs network will be available electronically by December 2009.

“Air quality in Indiana has improved significantly in recent years as a result of regulations and voluntary efforts to reduce emissions,” said Commissioner Easterly. “Hoosiers have worked hard to attain cleaner air, and while we’ve come a long way, we still have more work to do. Through simple actions at home and work, Hoosiers can continue to make a positive difference.”

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GoodGuide Can Make You A Good Guy

[Post author: Rick Yoder, P2RIC]

So, there I was at the back of the room during the Tuesday morning 2009 Environmental Summit plenary presentation by Marueen Gorsen – a smart & witty presenter who made the start of a rainy day very tolerable.  She was opening up about the conundrum we all face – how to justify buying more stuff when consumerism (spending = 70% of the US economy) is at the heart of our environmental problems.  Specifically, she offered her rationalization for buying an i-phone.  She said it was because she wanted to use a nifty (& free) application called Good Guide.  Scott Butner later mentioned that one of the developers of the application has history with the P2 community and specifically with our P2Rx sister center, PPRC.

I didn’t think more of this until I heard a Living On Earth podcast this morning, in which author Daniel Goleman expounded more on the virtues of the Good Guide than on shilling his new book, Ecological Intelligence, even going so far as to take a shopping field trip using the app to buy shampoo.  Glad I looked it up – because I’m not a terribly good listener, I’d been hearing its name all along as “Good Guy.”

BTW, I added GoodGuide as a P2TagTeam bookmark on delicious, too.

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Documents recently added to GLRPPR sector resources

These publications were recently added to GLRPPR’s Sector Resources. This list is also available as an RSS feed at http://www.istc.illinois.edu/info/library_docs/SectorRSS.htm.

A New Source of Methylmercury Entering the Pacific Ocean
Wed, 06 May 2009 20:27:45 GMT
A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist and his university colleagues have discovered a new source of methylmercury entering the waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Consumption of ocean fish and shellfish account for over 90 percent of human methylmercury exposure in the United States, and tuna harvested in the Pacific Ocean account for 40 percent of this total exposure (Sunderland, 2007). Given the obvious importance of marine food webs to human methylmercury exposure, scientists were still trying to answer the question – where do fish, such as Pacific Ocean tuna, acquire their methylmercury? The findings of these scientists published in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles, might be a major step forward toward solving this mystery.

EPA Lifecycle Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Renewable Fuels
Wed, 06 May 2009 19:18:15 GMT
Ass part of proposed revisions to the National Renewable Fuel Standard program (commonly known as the RFS program), EPA analyzed lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from increased renewable fuels use. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) establishes new renewable fuel categories and eligibility requirements. EISA sets the first U.S. mandatory lifecycle GHG reduction thresholds for renewable fuel categories, as compared to those of average petroleum fuels used in 2005. The regulatory purpose of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions analysis is to determine whether renewable fuels meet the GHG thresholds for the different categories of renewable fuel.

Green Roofs for Stormwater Runoff Control
Wed, 06 May 2009 19:14:03 GMT
This project evaluated green roofs as a stormwater management tool. Specifically, runoff quantity and quality from green and flat asphalt roofs were compared. Evapotranspiration from planted green roofs and evaporation from unplanted media roofs were also compared. The influence of media type, media depth and drought during plant establishment on plant growth and long-term management of media pH were investigated. The goal of the project was to provide high-quality replicated data which could be used to develop and refine reliable anticipated runoff volumes and loadings from green roofs, respectively, as well as evaluate factors which impact plant growth and establishment. Results indicate that the green roofs are capable of removing 50% of the annual rainfall volume from a roof through retention and evapotranspiration. Rainfall not retained by green roofs is detained, effectively increasing the time to peak, and slowing peak flows for a watershed. There are seasonal considerations as more runoff is generated during winter and for many summer storms there was no runoff. Green roof runoff does contain concentrations of some nutrients and other parameters, but values are in line with other planted systems. Due to the volume reduction, actual nutrient loadings from green roofs are less than asphalt roofing runoff or otherwise manageable at the downspout.

Product Policy Institute
Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:27:13 GMT
Product Policy Institute (PPI) is a North American not-for-profit education and technical assistance organization. Their mission is to prevent waste and to promote sustainable production and consumption practices through good public policy and governance.

State of Green Business 2009
Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:09:18 GMT
This year’s Green Business report is a mixed bag of encouraging and discouraging news. But on balance, despite a growing chorus of corporate commitments and actions, we’re less optimistic that these activities, in aggregate, are addressing planetary problems at sufficient scale and speed.

Landscape Sustainability
Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:37:55 GMT
This guide from the University of Nebraska Extension describes how to use aesthetic, functional and environmentally sound design principles to create a sustainable landscape.

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Clean-up and Disposal Guide
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:41:50 GMT
Compact fluorescent bulbs provide highly efficient lighting, but contain mercury. Learn how to clean up broken bulbs and dispose of them safely.

Greenhouse Gas Sequestration by Algae — Energy and Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Studies
Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:09:26 GMT
We have examined various scenarios involving the growth of algae and the sequestering of carbon during its growth. End-uses for algae are found in the production of food supplements for humans; animal feed; oil extraction and its transesterification to produce biodiesel; electricity production upon combustion directly or by transforming the algae to methane anaerobically; or fuel production via pyrolysis, gasification or anaerobic digestion. In every case, the greenhouse gases sequestered by the algae are released into the atmosphere, so that greenhouse gas benefits arise only as offsets when the algal use displaces the combustion of a fossil fuel in a vehicle or for the production of electricity. This paper examines the greenhouse gas, costs and energy balance on a life-cycle basis for algae grown in salt-water ponds and used to produce biodiesel and electricity. Under the conditions described and the data assumed, it is shown that it is possible to produce algal biodiesel at less cost and with a substantial greenhouse gas and energy balance advantage over fossil diesel. However, when scaled up to large commercial production levels, the costs may exceed those for fossil diesel. The economic viability is highly dependent upon algae with high oil yields capable of high production year-round, which has yet to be demonstrated on a commercial scale.

Homegrown Prosperity from the Bottom Up
Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:55:50 GMT
A new report by WORC presents policy-makers and prospective producers with information on small and community-scale biodiesel production. Homegrown Prosperity from the Bottom Up looks at the biodiesel industry as it is emerging in the rural economies across the region. It examines the experiences of farmers and local entrepreneurs in their public and private partnerships to start a new industry, and it assesses the potential contributions of this new economic engine to rural income and jobs. This report presents six case studies on the economic potential, legal and systemic issues, sustainability, and available technical assistance and financial resources.

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Region 5/GLRPPR Represents 25% of the NPPR Board

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

Region 5/Great Lakes Region Pollution Prevention Roundtable (GLRPPR) has been very fortunate to represent 25% of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) Board the past few years. Four of the 15 Board members are from Region 5 and include:

  • Rich Bossingham, Indiana DEM (at large), rbossing@idem.in.gov
  • Robert Jackson, Michigan Dept of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (Region 5 representative and Board chair), jacksonr1@michigan.gov
  • Cindy McComas, MnTAP, University of Minnesota (at large), mccom003@umn.edu
  • Gary Miller, ISTC, University of Illinois (emeritus/past chair), gmiller@istc.illinois,edu

However, three of these four individuals have terms ending in September 2009 and the NPPR Board needs new pollution prevention blood to serve three-year terms. The NPPR is the largest membership organization in the United States devoted solely to pollution prevention. The mission of the NPPR is to provide a national forum for promoting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source.

The Board is currently accepting nominations for Region 5 and at-large candidates. Regional Board candidates must be a representative of a local, state or tribal governmental organization. The at-large board positions are open to all voting members in good standing.

The NPPR Board presents fun and challenging opportunities to work nationally on ways to promote and sustain pollution prevention as a fundamental environmental protection strategy that includes involvement with policy, technical, and measurement issues.

Serving on the NPPR Board provides you with opportunities to network, improve leadership skills, be a liaison with your favorite workgroup, and strategize/implement ways to improve NPPR. Board member benefits include networking, leadership opportunities, travel scholarships to the annual Environmental Partnership Summit, ability to set policy and direction of NPPR, the opportunity to contribute on position papers, and being “in the know” on ECOS, EPA, and other national programs and projects.

In return, the Board representatives will participate in monthly conference calls, attend Board meetings in October and May, join a NPPR workgroup or committee, provide views and concerns of NPPR members, and promote NPPR within the Region. The Board term is October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2012.

Please contact any of your Board representatives if you are willing to serve a term on the NPPR Board beginning in October 2009.

“I have served on the Board for four years in a variety of capacities. A highlight has been learning from very bright colleagues about how they “do” pollution prevention in their states and organizations. I have also been able to push my specific interests and get help from others with similar interests. It is gratifying to see the progress we have made and the impact we have as an organization on federal policy, funding for our programs, and in developing new leaders in the pollution prevention movement. We have also been involved in international pollution prevention programs including trips to South Korea, the Middle East, Mexico and Canada. NPPR also has strong, very good staff to work with including Jeff Burke, the Executive Director. Serving as a Director on the NPPR Board has been very valuable to me in more ways than I can count and I recommend it highly. You will be better for it.”

Gary Miller

Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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IDEM Commissioner Praises Eight Hoosier Companies for Environmental Leadership

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

After demonstrating long-term compliance with environmental laws and voluntarily agreeing to implement continuous improvements, eight new members have been accepted into the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).

“These businesses are models for other Hoosier companies and show that sound environmental management is good for business,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “ESP members voluntarily eliminate waste, preserve resources and protect Hoosiers and the environment. They deserve recognition for going beyond the basic requirements of the law.”

This is the third year of the ESP program, and there are 45 members participating in this initiative. ESP’s newest members include:

Frito-Lay, Inc., Frankfort, Clinton County

Frito-Lay, Inc. has agreed to install water meters at each process point and implement monitoring activities and process controls to optimize water use, thus reducing water use by 82,765,244 gallons by the end of 2009.

Guardian Automotive Trim, Inc., Evansville, Vanderburgh County

Guardian Automotive Trim, Inc. is committed to reducing natural gas usage in the plating process boiler by 10 percent in its first year of membership as a result of pre-heating the day tank that returns water to the boiler and reducing the amount of time that water has to cool down, thus maintaining a more consistent water temperature.

Nishikawa Standard Company, LLC – Bremen Facility, Marshall County

Nishikawa Standard Company, LLC – Bremen Facility is committed to reducing its solid waste during its first year of membership by 8,500 pounds by replacing 23 automated paper towel dispensers with 19 highly-efficient electric hand dryers in an effort to eliminate landfill contributions.

NOF Jasper 11th Avenue, Jasper, Dubois County

NOF Jasper 11th Avenue has agreed to increase the amount it recycles by 26,920 pounds by the end of 2009 with the creation of a new training program for employees and implementing 5S principles to make separating recyclables more visual for employees.

NOF Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Spencer County

NOF Santa Claus has agreed to increase the amount it recycles by 15,631 pounds by the end of 2009 with the creation of a new training program for employees and implementing 5S principles to make separating recyclables more visual for employees.

Ottenweller Company, Inc., Fort Wayne, Allen County

Ottenweller Company, Inc. is committed to reducing the amount of propane used in its forklifts by 34,051 pounds, or 30 percent, by improving staging methods and using jacks and carts.

SAMTEC, Incorporated, New Albany, Floyd County

SAMTEC, Incorporated has agreed to involve all of its employees in reducing their environmental impact by recycling 1,000 pounds of aluminum cans and 1,500 pounds of plastic bottles in the employee cafeteria by the end of 2009.

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Lafayette, Tippecanoe County

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is committed to replacing a solvent-borne top coat with a water-borne top coat reducing volatile organic compounds by 202,287 pounds by the end of 2009.

To become an ESP member, a business must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that it has adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in its environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections. To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

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Compliance Assistance Centers need your support

[Post author: Bob Iverson]

I am posting this article on behalf of Deb Jacobson, Director of the Printers National Environmental Assistance Center.

Friends and Colleagues,

I am sending this message on behalf of the individuals involved with the EPA Compliance Assistance Centers. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/assistance/centers/index.html

It is our understanding that EPA has cut all funding to the National Compliance Assistance Centers in the 2009 budget. We are currently in communication with EPA to encourage them to reconsider this plan. We have requested that EPA restore supporting funds in the 2010 budget and beyond. Without supporting funds the Centers will no longer be maintained and the resources will quickly become obsolete and out of date. In addition, you will no longer have quick and easy access to the industry technical experts.

Since 1995 the Centers have served as a valuable resource to the assistance provider community as well as the industry representatives themselves. The Centers represent seventeen industrial sectors that many of you serve. We are seeking your support and encourage you to contact EPA to express your concerns about the loss of this resource. Contact:

Ms. Lisa Jackson
Administrator
EPA
jackson.lisa@epa.gov

Lisa Lund, Director
EPA Office of Compliance
lund.lisa@epa.gov

Dave Hindin, Acting Deputy Director
EPA Office of Compliance
hindin.david@epa.gov.

Tracy Back
CAC Program Coordinator
EPA office of Compliance
Back.tracy@epa.gov

U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460

I have a sample letter to Ms. Jackson if you would like a copy. Should you need any additional details or information you can contact me or any of the Center directors see http://www.assistancecenters.net/about/contact.cfm Note, I am now the primary contact for the Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Center.

Sincerely,

Deb Jacobson
PNEAC Director

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2008 Indiana Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards

[Post author: Bob Iverson]

Nominations now being accepted for:

  • Five Years’ Continuous Improvement
  • Energy/Renewable Resources
  • Greening the Government
  • Outreach or Education
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Recycling/Reuse
  • Land Use

The Indiana Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards recognize exemplary projects across Indiana. Projects must demonstrate significant and measurable results, be innovative, comprehensive and documented.

Who Can Apply?
The awards are open to all Indiana facilities, state and local units of government, individuals, and technical assistance organizations that operate or support environmental protection efforts of  outstanding quality. Eligible technical assistance organizations include, but are not limited to: public entities, educational groups, trade associations, individuals, public interest and community and labor groups. Nominated projects/facilities must be: located in Indiana; focused on significant environmental protection activity; able to provide at least a year of quantifiable results; innovative; voluntary; in compliance with environmental health and safety laws; and, willing to share information with others via state publications or Web sites.

Nominations must be received by IDEM by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, April 20, 2009.

To learn more, call 800.988.7901 or visit http://www.in.gov/idem/5147.htm

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New job for a long time GLRPPR friend!

[Post author: Bob Iverson]

A long-time friend (and one of the original creators) of GLRPPR has a new job. The following announcement is from Bill Shilts, Executive Director of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois. The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (which coordinates GLRPPR) is part of INRS.

“I am pleased to announce that Gary Miller has accepted the position of Interim Associate Executive Director within the INRS central office, effective March 16, 2009. Gary has served as the Interim Director of ISTC for almost a year, and has been employed at ISTC (formerly WMRC) for the past 23 years. Gary’s many years of experience with the University and State government will help shape the Institute during this exciting time.

As Gary accepts this new role, John Marlin will become Acting Director of ISTC. John has worked many years at ISTC and had been serving as Associate Director. His experience at ISTC, as well as his prior experiences chairing the Illinois Pollution Control Board and as a well-known and respected environmentalist will serve us well.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Asghar Mirarefi for his service as Interim Associate Executive Director. Asghar will resume a 100% appointment within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.”

Congratulations to both Gary Miller and John Marlin. Those of us in GLRPPR look forward to continuing to work with them in their new roles.

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IDEM Commissioner Praises Eight Hoosier Companies for Environmental Leadership

[Post author: Wayne Duke]

After demonstrating long-term compliance with environmental laws and voluntarily agreeing to implement continuous improvements, eight new members have been accepted into the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).

“These businesses are models for other Hoosier companies and show that sound environmental management is good for business,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “ESP members voluntarily eliminate waste, preserve resources and protect Hoosiers and the environment. They deserve recognition for going beyond the basic requirements of the law.”

This is the third year of the ESP program, and there are 46 members participating in this initiative. ESP’s newest members include:

  • Frito-Lay, Inc., Frankfort, Clinton County

Frito-Lay, Inc. has agreed to install water meters at each process point and implement monitoring activities and process controls to optimize water use, thus reducing water use by 82,765,244 gallons by the end of 2009.

  • Guardian Automotive Trim, Inc., Evansville, Vanderburgh County

Guardian Automotive Trim, Inc. is committed to reducing natural gas usage in the plating process boiler by 10 percent in its first year of membership as a result of pre-heating the day tank that returns water to the boiler and reducing the amount of time that water has to cool down, thus maintaining a more consistent water temperature.

  • Nishikawa Standard Company, LLC – Bremen Facility, Marshall County

Nishikawa Standard Company, LLC – Bremen Facility is committed to reducing its solid waste during its first year of membership by 8,500 pounds by replacing 23 automated paper towel dispensers with 19 highly-efficient electric hand dryers in an effort to eliminate landfill contributions.

  • NOF Jasper 11th Avenue, Jasper, Dubois County

NOF Jasper 11th Avenue has agreed to increase the amount it recycles by 26,920 pounds by the end of 2009 with the creation of a new training program for employees and implementing 5S principles to make separating recyclables more visual for employees.

  • NOF Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Spencer County

NOF Santa Claus has agreed to increase the amount it recycles by 15,631 pounds by the end of 2009 with the creation of a new training program for employees and implementing 5S principles to make separating recyclables more visual for employees.

  • Ottenweller Company, Inc., Fort Wayne, Allen County

Ottenweller Company, Inc. is committed to reducing the amount of propane used in its forklifts by 34,051 pounds, or 30 percent, by improving staging methods and using jacks and carts.

  • SAMTEC, Incorporated, New Albany, Floyd County

SAMTEC, Incorporated has agreed to involve all of its employees in reducing their environmental impact by recycling 1,000 pounds of aluminum cans and 1,500 pounds of plastic bottles in the employee cafeteria by the end of 2009.

  • Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Lafayette, Tippecanoe County

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is committed to replacing a solvent-borne top coat with a water-borne top coat reducing volatile organic compounds by 202,287 pounds by the end of 2009.

To become an ESP member, a business must maintain an exemplary compliance record, certify that it has adopted and implemented an approved environmental management system, and commit to specific measures for continued improvement in its environmental performance.

ESP members qualify for expedited permit review, flexibility in permitting, reduced reporting frequencies, and coordination of compliance inspections. To maintain ESP membership, companies must report on their environmental initiatives every year and reapply for ESP membership every three years.

For details about the program, visit IDEM’s Web site at www.idem.IN.gov/prevention/esp.

About IDEM

IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.