[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

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                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my 
colleagues some information about a new approach being explored to 
transition environmental compliance from what is widely perceived as an 
adversarial process to a cooperative, results-oriented effort between 
companies and state regulators.
  So far, fourteen states have formed a Multi-State Working Group 
(MSWG), whose focus is to develop regulatory incentives that get 
companies to take a more proactive, systematic approach in managing 
their environmental impacts.
  Oregon was one of the first states to implement an incentive-based 
environmental regulation program, which is uniquely tied to its 
permitting process. Through its Green Permits Program, Oregon 
Department of Environmental Quality will be awarding one of its first 
incentive based permits to a Louisiana Pacific (LP) building products 
plant in Hines, Oregon.
  A key component of the Green Permits program is the adoption of an 
environmental management system that has enabled LP's facility in Hines 
to go the extra mile in exceeding the operating standards set by the 
state of Oregon. The Hines' plant has kept their air emissions to only 
10 percent of the total annual levels allowed by its Oregon Department 
of Environmental Quality air permit and proactively works with a 
Community Advisory Council in addressing community concerns. In 
addition, more than $90,000 is generated each year through the plant's 
planer shavings recycling effort. These improvements have led to better 
cooperation with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  The Green Permits Program has several benefits including addressing a 
wider range of potential environmental impacts on a regular basis and 
increasing communication and involvement between environmental 
agencies, communities and companies. Also, companies can improve 
credibility with stakeholders in addition to potential cost saving and 
operational improvements.




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