For Release: Monday, October 23, 2006
DEC Announces Draft Policy on New York Environmental Leaders
Encourages Businesses to Perform Beyond Minimum Compliance Levels
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the release of a draft policy on the New York Environmental Leaders (NYEL) program. The draft policy sets forth the details of the NYEL program including program requirements, benefits to participating organizations, and the responsibilities of the DEC in implementing this program.
"The proposed NYEL program will create incentives to help the regulated community recognize the value in performance beyond minimum compliance levels and demonstrate high levels of environmental performance," Commissioner Sheehan said.
DEC has proposed the NYEL policy to provide recognition and incentives for environmentally responsible organizations. This policy is a pro-active approach to protecting the environment. Additionally, the Department will continue to use its authority to enforce violations or penalties against entities which do not abide by the laws and regulations set forth by the Department. The goal of NYEL is to motivate businesses and organizations in New York State to voluntarily implement environmental management systems (EMS) by providing recognition and incentives to organizations that are able to demonstrate, and provide future commitment to improved environmental performance.
An EMS is a set of management processes, procedures, and performance objectives that allow a facility to continuously analyze, control, and reduce the environmental impacts of its activities. Participants in the program demonstrate environmental responsibility through the use of pollution prevention practices beyond compliance performance, sustainable business practices, and greater transparency of their environmental management activities, among other practices.
On April 5, 2004, Commissioner's Policy - 34 (CP-34) regarding the use of environmental management systems and other environmental performance improvement tools in department programs, was issued. That policy authorizes DEC to establish the NYEL program and provides the framework necessary to draft the NYEL policy.
Upon the enactment of CP-34, DEC solicited input on the requirements for the NYEL program from representatives of New York State businesses, industry groups, government bodies, academic institutions, and environmental advocacy groups. DEC conducted a survey of the stakeholders to provide any interested parties the opportunity to offer comments on the program. Additionally, an inter-program workgroup within DEC provided guidance on the framework for the draft policy. The draft NYEL policy incorporates the input gathered during these outreach efforts.
The proposed draft NYEL policy includes two membership tiers which give consideration to the different levels of environmental performance that exist in the regulated community. Tier one is a leadership tier that will be open to organizations which have mature environmental management systems and an existing record of environmental leadership. The second tier is an entry tier for organizations that are just beginning their efforts to improve their environmental performance. Incentives and recognition will vary based on the tier in which an organization participates.
Public comments on the draft NYEL policy will be accepted through November 10, 2006, and may be sent to: John M. Vana, NYS DEC, Pollution Prevention Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750, or emailed to: depprmt@gw.dec.state.ny.us . For additional details on the NYEL program, please visit the DEC website.
