the centers at 10 years: where do we go from here? an epa perspective jim edward, director...
DESCRIPTION
Evolution of Centers’ Features: From Links to Streaming Videos Center features; evolving over time:Center features; evolving over time: –Virtual Plant Tours –On-line Training –Webinars –Emissions Calculators –Selected Compliance & Environmental News –On-Line Discussion Groups –On-Line Ask the Expert – Update ServiceTRANSCRIPT
The Centers at 10 The Centers at 10 Years: Where Do we Years: Where Do we
Go From Here?Go From Here?An EPA PerspectiveAn EPA Perspective
Jim Edward, Director Jim Edward, Director Compliance Assistance Compliance Assistance
Division/OECADivision/OECAUS EPAUS EPA
A Brief History of the Centers A Brief History of the Centers Program:Program:
When Past is PrologueWhen Past is Prologue• First Centers in 1996: automotive service & First Centers in 1996: automotive service &
repair, metal finishing, printingrepair, metal finishing, printing• Result of Congressional Add-onResult of Congressional Add-on
– Developed compliance assistance centers for Developed compliance assistance centers for several sectorsseveral sectors
• Ten Centers launched in first 5 years; 4 more Ten Centers launched in first 5 years; 4 more over next 5 years; 4 more in early 2000’s.over next 5 years; 4 more in early 2000’s.
• The coming of the Centers Platform; The coming of the Centers Platform; bringing new Centers on-line cost effectively bringing new Centers on-line cost effectively and efficiently. and efficiently.
Evolution of Centers’ Evolution of Centers’ Features:Features:
From Links to Streaming VideosFrom Links to Streaming Videos• Center features; evolving over time:Center features; evolving over time:
– Virtual Plant ToursVirtual Plant Tours– On-line TrainingOn-line Training– WebinarsWebinars– Emissions CalculatorsEmissions Calculators– Selected Compliance & Environmental Selected Compliance & Environmental
NewsNews– On-Line Discussion GroupsOn-Line Discussion Groups– On-Line Ask the ExpertOn-Line Ask the Expert– Email Update ServiceEmail Update Service
Evolution of Centers’ Evolution of Centers’ Features:Features:
From Links to Streaming VideosFrom Links to Streaming Videos• What features or technical advances What features or technical advances
does the future hold for the centers? does the future hold for the centers?
• What tools/resources could be developed What tools/resources could be developed and made available through the Center and made available through the Center Platform for use by other providers?Platform for use by other providers?
• What are your needs?What are your needs?
Measuring Success of the Measuring Success of the Centers:Centers:
The Need to Show Environmental The Need to Show Environmental ResultsResults• In FY 2005: In FY 2005:
– Centers were visited over Centers were visited over 1,443,000 times1,443,000 times by their target audiences, assistance by their target audiences, assistance providers, government and the publicproviders, government and the public
– Centers received requests for over Centers received requests for over 3 3 million web pagesmillion web pages and targeted and targeted compliance documentscompliance documents
• Since 1998, the Centers have realized Since 1998, the Centers have realized over 5 million user sessionsover 5 million user sessions
Building On ResultsBuilding On Results
131582259406
406972501790
673272869904
11640001,443,000
0200,000400,000600,000800,000
1,000,0001,200,0001,400,0001,600,000
Visi
ts P
er Y
ear
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Fiscal Year
Compliance Assistance Center Activity Trend
Measuring Success of the Measuring Success of the Centers:Centers:
The Need to Show Environmental The Need to Show Environmental ResultsResults• 84% of the regulated community respondents 84% of the regulated community respondents
agreed that the Centers helped them agreed that the Centers helped them understand applicable environmental understand applicable environmental requirements. requirements.
• 77% of the regulated entity respondents 77% of the regulated entity respondents improved their environmental management improved their environmental management practices as a result of Center use. practices as a result of Center use.
• 46% of the regulated entity respondents 46% of the regulated entity respondents reported that they reduced, treated, or reported that they reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of Center use.eliminated pollution as a result of Center use.
FY 05 Improved Management FY 05 Improved Management Practices:Practices:
Regulated CommunityRegulated Community
39.8%
34.7%
22.3%22.1%
17.7% 17.5%
6.1%
Obtained a permit orcertificationTook another action
Changed the handling ofwaste or emissionContacted a vendor
Contacted a regulatoryagencyPerformed self-audit
Changed process or practice
FY 05 Environmental Benefits:FY 05 Environmental Benefits:Regulated CommunityRegulated Community
20.40%
15.80%
28.60%
Reduced oreliminated airemissions
Reduced oreliminatedpollutnatemissions(wastewater)Reduced oreliminatedwaste
Measuring Success of the Measuring Success of the Centers:Centers:
The Need to Show Environmental The Need to Show Environmental ResultsResults• What more can we do to measure results?What more can we do to measure results?
– Case studiesCase studies– TestimonialsTestimonials
• How can we better reach the target How can we better reach the target audience to get results?audience to get results?
• Can we administer a statistically valid Can we administer a statistically valid survey to assess Center use?survey to assess Center use?– Target audience?Target audience?
Sectors Addressed by the Sectors Addressed by the Centers:Centers:
Who’s Next or Are There Enough?Who’s Next or Are There Enough? ServicesServices
Border CenterBorder Center
Automotive Service and RepairAutomotive Service and Repair
Automotive RecyclingAutomotive Recycling
Health CareHealth Care
Paints and CoatingsPaints and Coatings
PrintingPrinting
TransportationTransportation
Education Sector (pending)Education Sector (pending)
ManufacturingManufacturing AgricultureAgriculture
Metal FinishingMetal Finishing
Printed Wiring BoardPrinted Wiring Board
ConstructionConstruction
Chemical ManufacturingChemical Manufacturing
GovernmentGovernment
Local GovernmentLocal Government
Federal FacilitiesFederal Facilities
Sectors Addressed by the Sectors Addressed by the Centers:Centers:
Who’s Next or Are There Enough?Who’s Next or Are There Enough?• Center Candidate Evaluation Criteria:
– impacts on human health & environment– prevalence of national problem– patterns of noncompliance– impacts of new regulations– subject to multiple regulations /statutes– impacts to small businesses– lack of comprehensive compliance assistance
program– determination that compliance assistance is an
appropriate “tool” to address the problem
• Center Candidate Suggestions ???
Future Funding for the Future Funding for the Centers:Centers:
Proven Results But at What Cost?Proven Results But at What Cost?• Over $21 million in funding for Over $21 million in funding for
Centers Program since 1996.Centers Program since 1996.
• Centers Funding Strategy developed Centers Funding Strategy developed in 2001; Implemented in FY02-06. in 2001; Implemented in FY02-06. – Gradual reduction in funding for existing Gradual reduction in funding for existing
Centers to a base level funding amount. Centers to a base level funding amount. – Dollars “freed up” to fund new CentersDollars “freed up” to fund new Centers
Future Funding for the Future Funding for the Centers:Centers:
Proven Results But at What Cost?Proven Results But at What Cost?• Centers will soon reach their base-level
funding identified in the 2001 funding strategy. – minimal (if any) savings will be available to
reinvest in new Center development.
• To ensure that the Centers program remains strong while allowing for expansion, EPA needs to adjust its Centers funding strategy.
The Centers and Other The Centers and Other Online ToolsOnline Tools
Is it Time for a New Relationship?Is it Time for a New Relationship?• EPA's CA Clearinghouse primarily directed to other EPA's CA Clearinghouse primarily directed to other
CA providers CA providers www.epa.goc/clearinghousewww.epa.goc/clearinghouse
• Linking the P2Rx & Compliance Assistance CentersLinking the P2Rx & Compliance Assistance Centers– Content SharingContent Sharing– News SharingNews Sharing– More to do!More to do!
• Business Gateway e-gov InitiativeBusiness Gateway e-gov Initiative
• So may resources – can we seamlessly integrate So may resources – can we seamlessly integrate this information for the business sector? this information for the business sector?
Recent and Upcoming Recent and Upcoming Developments:Developments:
Continuing to Move ForwardContinuing to Move Forward• Developing new Center for the Education Developing new Center for the Education
SectorSector
• Expanding Border Center to Canada and Expanding Border Center to Canada and launching “Waste Watcher” toollaunching “Waste Watcher” tool
• Creating new entry page for the 14 State Creating new entry page for the 14 State Resource LocatorsResource Locators
• Identifying new Center candidates in Fall 2006Identifying new Center candidates in Fall 2006
Border Center……Border Center……
Closing Thoughts From Closing Thoughts From EPA:EPA:
More Questions than Answers…More Questions than Answers…• Centers have demonstrated positive Centers have demonstrated positive
environmental results over the last 10 environmental results over the last 10 years! years! BUT…BUT…
• Are they still meeting the needs of their Are they still meeting the needs of their clients?clients?
• Have they continued to keep pace with new Have they continued to keep pace with new technologies and software developments?technologies and software developments?
• Are the Centers reaching their target Are the Centers reaching their target audiences?audiences?
Closing Thoughts From Closing Thoughts From EPA:EPA:
More Questions than Answers…More Questions than Answers…• Can we afford to keep funding new Can we afford to keep funding new
Centers under the current approach?Centers under the current approach?• How can the Centers improve their How can the Centers improve their
measurement of real environmental measurement of real environmental outcomes?outcomes?
• Do we develop more traditional Centers Do we develop more traditional Centers or design new Centers that are more or design new Centers that are more fluid and changing?fluid and changing?C’mon….Lets Talk!!!C’mon….Lets Talk!!!