The Department of Environmental Quality supports its mission to protect and enhance the environment of Virginia in multiple ways. DEQ administers laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy, and land protection. In addition, DEQ has programs that encourage our customers to go beyond these regulatory requirements. The Office of Pollution Prevention (OPP) coordinates programs that aim to proactively address the environment, by avoiding environmental waste as opposed to managing it. These programs allow DEQ to recognize environmental leaders and demonstrate how DEQ can partner with our customers to improve the environment.

OPP coordinates incentive programs and assistance, as well as internal programs that allow DEQ to lead by example. A few highlights from 2024 include:

• Hosting a regional workshop to share pollution prevention best practices and support participants of the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program with networking opportunities, specifically a networking session with DEQ regulatory staff.

• Successfully competing for grant funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support pollution prevention in the Commonwealth, including funding that will support two new programs focusing on auto-shops and reducing food waste.

DEQ will continue to work to protect Virginia’s natural resources and OPP’s programs will play a key role through programs that benefit businesses, institutions, communities, and our citizens. With the support of Governor Glenn Youngkin, OPP looks forward to continuing to promote cost effective pollution prevention initiatives and expanding on work to reduce food waste which supports Executive Order (EO) 17, “Recognizing the Value of Recycling and Waste Reduction."

Michael Rolband
Director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality