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PA REINVENTION AGREEMENT WILL STREAMLINE PERMITTING AND REPORTING PROCEDURES FOR 5,000 MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESSES
Release Date: 10/09/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1998
REINVENTION AGREEMENT WILL STREAMLINE PERMITTING AND
REPORTING PROCEDURES FOR 5,000 MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESSES
REPORTING PROCEDURES FOR 5,000 MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESSES
An agreement has been reached by EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to streamline permitting and reporting processes for approximately 5,000 dry cleaners, photo processors and printers. Instead of adhering to the traditional permitting process, these small businesses will self-certify compliance with new standards that exceed those currently in effect. The agreement was reached under EPA’s Project XL (which stands for eXcellence and Leadership), a national program which tests innovative ways of achieving public health and environmental protection in a better and more cost-effective way. For the first time ever, the companies will certify annually that their facilities are in compliance with all applicable air, water and hazardous waste management performance standards. Facilities not in compliance will be required to specify interim milestones toward achieving compliance by a certain date. The expectation is that after an initial evaluation and revision phase, this permitting alternative could be transferred to other industry sectors throughout Massachusetts and other states. This is the tenth such effort under Project XL, the first one with a state and the first one involving the small businesses sector. Other innovative approaches are being tested with major corporations, such as Merck, Intel, Lucent and Weyerhaeuser.
R-139 ###
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