[P2assist] STATE INITIATIVE ENCOURAGES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUSINESS PRA CTICES

[Diana Kees]

RALEIGH - The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is
looking for environmental partners - and today on Earth Day invites members
of the state's business community to apply for membership in a new voluntary
program designed to promote and encourage superior environmental
performance. 

The Environmental Stewardship Initiative establishes incentives to stimulate
business, industry, government agencies and nonprofits to develop and
implement programs that use pollution prevention and other innovative
approaches to meet and exceed their regulatory requirements. This program
seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by
any permit or rule, producing a better environment and a stronger economy
and conserving natural resources.

"Stewardship of our state's natural resources is more critical than ever,"
Gov. Mike Easley said. "We must protect and preserve the air we breathe and
the water that we drink.  This partnering program is an important step in
improving the quality of North Carolina's environment and our overall
quality of life."

Participants can become involved at one of two levels. The "Environmental
Partner" level is designed for adoption by a broad range of organizations
that are interested in beginning the process of developing a systematic
approach to improving their environmental performance. Partners must set
environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention and are
appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impact of the
organization. 

The "Environmental Steward" level is for those organizations that already
display a commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is
required by law. Stewards will be required to set aggressive environmental
performance goals that include pollution prevention, a commitment to exceed
compliance, and annual improvements to performance. These goals should
result in reductions of an organization's environmental impact consistent
with sustainability principles. Both partners and stewards must agree to
report annually on progress towards the organization's environmental
performance goals, net reductions of releases, emissions and disposal, net
reductions in the use of energy and water, and any reportable non-compliance
events.

"This initiative will encourage North Carolina organizations to move beyond
compliance and toward environmental sustainability by using a systematic
approach to environmental performance," said Secretary Bill Ross of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "That movement will result
in a cleaner environment and a stronger economy.  The Environmental
Stewardship Initiative will encourage organizations with a commitment to
environmental protection to find ways to become more effective stewards of
our natural resources."

A 10-member advisory workgroup appointed by Ross will oversee program
development and implementation. Membership consists of individuals from
manufacturers, industries, industry trade groups, environmental and citizen
nongovernmental organizations, and small businesses. An internal DENR
workgroup will provide technical support and coordination for the advisory
workgroup and the overall initiative.

Any company or organization that operates one or more facilities in North
Carolina is eligible to participate in the initiative.  This includes but is
not limited to manufacturers, businesses, agribusiness, service providers,
government agencies, schools and nonprofit agencies. Applications for the
first round of this program will be accepted until July 31. An announcement
of those accepted into the program is expected by late October.

"Integrating environmentally friendly practices into core functions is a
smart way to do business," said Secretary Jim Fain of the Department of
Commerce. "This program will recognize the many North Carolina businesses
that are working hard to avoid depletion of natural resources, and encourage
others to realize that waste reduction and pollution prevention can increase
profit margins and in some cases provide businesses with a competitive
advantage."

For more detailed information or to apply for the program, please visit the
Environmental Stewardship Initiative Web site at http://www.p2pays.org/esi
or contact Beth Graves of the Division of Pollution Prevention and
Environmental Assistance, at (919) 715-6506 or beth.graves@ncmail.net.

****************************
Diana Kees
Public Information Officer
N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
Div. of Pollution Prevention and Environmental
  Assistance
1639 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1639
(919) 715-6515/6500
diana.kees@ncmail.net
www.p2pays.org