RD354 - Biennial Report on the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program


Executive Summary:
The Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation in 2005 officially establishing the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). The program is intended to

"recognize facilities and persons that have demonstrated a commitment to enhanced environmental performance and to encourage innovations in environmental protection."

This report documents the program’s current participation and environmental results and is submitted in accordance with § 10.1-1187.5 of the Code of Virginia. Facilities must apply to be part of the program and must demonstrate their commitment to environmental performance through the development of environmental management systems (EMS), implementation of pollution prevention programs and compliance with environmental regulations. There are three levels of participation (E2, E3 & E4); program requirements and potential incentives increase as facilities move from a lower to a higher level.

At the end of 2006, there were 345 facilities in the program. Two hundred fifty of the participating facilities were at the E2 level, seventy-two were at the E3 level and sixteen were at the E4 level. In addition to these participants, there are an additional 30 facilities that have submitted applications to join the program.

Participating facilities achieved the following environmental results:

• $2.5 million in cost savings;
• 53,000 pounds hazardous materials use eliminated;
• 24,000 tons non-hazardous materials eliminated or recycled;
• 7,450 pounds hazardous waste eliminated or recycled;
• 1,205,296 kilowatt hours less purchased electricity;
• 55,980 square foot reduction in impervious surfaces;
• 38,300 mmBtu less fuel use for vehicles;
• 21.7 million gallons of water recycled;
• 46.3 million gallon reduction in water use;
• 64, 000 tons of waste material sold as a raw material; and,
• 23,000 pound equivalent elimination of an ozone-depleting substance.