LaRC Environmental Management Committee September 26, 2013

LaRC Environmental Management Committee

September 26, 2013

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AgendaEnvironmental UpdatesProgress on 2013 Objectives/TargetsToday’s Task:

Annual review/update of environmental aspects and priorities

Proposed Ranking of Environmental Priorities for FY 14

Next Steps

News From Environmental

Kristen Poultney on 9-month detail Acting Environmental Branch Head on Rotating Basis

Bobby Charles (June – September 2013) Larry Snyder (October – December 2013) Phil McGinnis (January – March 2014)

Environmental update provided at Executive Safety Council Meeting in Aug 2013

Charter of EMC being changed to report to Center Leadership Committee – rather than ESC

LMS Internal Audit of Environmental in June 2013One finding related to Facility Environmental Audits – corrective

actions, follow-up ,and verificationRevision of Facility Environmental Audit Process (CP-8530) to be

released for review in LMS in October3

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Environmental CategoriesAir Emissions Natural ResourcesCultural Resources Remediation/ RestorationFleet Management Solid Waste (Non-hazardous) Energy/Water Consumption Sustainable Acquisition Environmental Impacts Review Sustainable Facilities Fuels, Oil and Lubricants Toxic SubstancesHazardous Materials Water QualityRegulated Waste

FY 2013 High Environmental Priorities

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Energy and Water Conservation

This priority is being addressed by the Energy and Water Efficiency Committee

Objective: Reduce energy in goal-subject facilities by 3% annually and water consumption by 2% annually as required by National Energy Conservation Policy Act and Executive Orders 13423 and 13514

Point of Contact: Bobby Charles

(Soon to be renamed Energy Efficiency Team)

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Target Status

Conduct Center-wide assessment of EMCS HVAC run schedules and make adjustments to reduce energy consumption

Complete

Complete 75% of Energy Efficiency Upgrade Project for HVAC Replacements in B1195/1225/1244 and Retro-commissioning of 11 buildings

Complete

Create and implement new Center-wide energy competition Complete

Complete 36 walk-thru facility energy audits Complete

Complete Energy efficiency projects: high bay lighting controls, occupancy sensors

Complete

Complete UESC II feasibility study by Q3 Complete

Award Steam Metering Design task by Q2. Complete 75% of design by Q4

Complete

Energy and Water ConservationProgress on 2013 Targets

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Hazardous MaterialsObjective: Improve awareness of and conformity with LaRC hazardous materials (HM) management policies

Point of Contact: Ingrid Carlberg

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Target Status Decrease by 30% containers in CMTS that have non-PDF MSDSs

Complete

Conduct chemical handling training course for lab personnel.

Complete

Update LARC-PROC-11 NASA Purchase Card Program course to better address LaRC’s Form 44 requirements.

Complete

Conduct at least 2 general HM management trainings for LaRC personnel.

Complete

Provide overview of FEC responsibilities to Senior Management at ESC.

Complete

Hazardous MaterialsProgress on 2013 Targets

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Regulated WasteObjective: Improve awareness of and conformity with LaRC Waste Management policies

Point of Contact: Mason Proctor

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Target Status

Identify/compile list of all LaRC waste handlers who should attend annual Waste Management Training

Complete

Train COD Project Managers on Waste Management policies

Complete

Conduct at least two waste management training sessions with emphasis on various facility types (e.g. labs, industrial, etc.)

Complete

Regulated WasteProgress on 2013 Targets

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Water QualityObjective: Improve water quality and reduce quantity of water discharged from Center

Point of Contact: Peter Van Dyke

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Target Status

Complete annual rainfall vs. sanitary outflow analysis Complete

Award Contract for Inflow and Infiltration improvements Complete

Collect baseline data on sediment removal from ditches and catch basins (Grounds contract)

Complete

Renew LaRC’s MS4 permit and include BMP’s to address water quality

Complete

Inspect active construction sites biweekly and after each runoff-producing rain event

Complete

Water QualityProgress on 2013 Targets

In addition, • New bacteria TMDL for Back River, Poquoson River, Tabbs Creek and

Brick Kiln Creek. LaRC is participating in process. • LaRC is part of Federal Facilities Team for Chesapeake Bay TMDL.

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Annual EMS Environmental Review Process

Assess Environmenta

l Aspects

Identify High Environmenta

l Priorities

Set Objectives Targets for

Upcoming Year

Complete Objectives and Target During Year

Cycle Repeats on Fiscal

Year Basis

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Environmental Planning ProcessIdentification of High Environmental Priorities and Goals for FY2014Environmental personnel have gone through the process of

identifying, categorizing, and ranking LaRC’s environmental priorities, based on NPR 8553.1B process:

.

3. Group and Assign Aspect

Categories

5. Determine Impact

Severity Score

8. Set Objectives, Targets, and Programs

7. Determine Overall Risk

Ranking

6. Determine Risk

Probability Score

4. Categorize Environmental

Impacts

2. Identify Environmental Aspects and

Impacts

1. List Activities,

Products, and Services

We have “taken a stab” at identifying what we think are the highest priorities, but now we need your input!

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Environmental CategoriesAir Emissions Natural ResourcesCultural Resources Remediation/ RestorationFleet Management Solid Waste (Non-hazardous) Energy/Water Consumption Sustainable Acquisition Environmental Impacts Review Sustainable Facilities Fuels, Oil and Lubricants Toxic SubstancesHazardous Materials Water QualityRegulated Waste

Per NPR 8553.1, each Center is required to analyze and rank the above in terms of potential impact or benefit to determine which are HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES.

Environmental Planning ProcessIdentification of High Environmental Priorities

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• Safety• Natural and Cultural Resources• Legal and Regulatory Implications • Performance • Reputation & Stakeholder Relationship• Cost• Schedule

Environmental Planning ProcessIdentification of High Environmental PrioritiesEach Environmental Category is assessed based on potential impacts or benefit, including:

Also consider effectiveness of existing management controls

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Next slides we will provide overviews of environmental categories, including: Details of Environmental category as per NPR 8553.1Comparison with priority ranking from FY 2012 and 2013Comments and metrics, if available

High Priorities:Receive attention from managementReported to HQRequire quantifiable targets for improvement during upcoming year

Proposed High Priorities for FY 2014: Energy/Water Conservation Natural ResourcesWater QualityHazardous Materials and/or Regulated Waste?

Assessment of Priorities

Intent is to promote

discussion as we go along

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Air EmissionsIncluding:

• Stationary and point sources• Mobile sources• Ozone depleting substances• Fugitive emissions• Greenhouse gases

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 Comments

Low Low Low Effective management controls in place

Environmental Priority Assessment

Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Cultural Resources

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Including:• Archaeological resources • Historic resources


Low Medium MediumAdditional demolitions (ViTAL) pose

challenges on records/artifact management; challenge finding staff to identify/organize; storage issues


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Fleet Management Including:

• Alternative fuel vehicles• Fleet size and use

reduction


Low Low Low Very small vehicle fleet.


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Energy/Water Consumption Including:

• Reduction in energy use• Reduction in water use• Use of renewable energy


High High HighMeeting EO energy reduction goal continues

to be issue. Management attention to energy conservation. Key feature of

sustainability efforts and LEED facilities.


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Energy/Water Consumption Meeting goal to reduce water consumption by 2%

annually as required by Executive Order

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Energy/Water Consumption

Not currently meeting EO requirement to reduce energy in goal-subject facilities by 3% annually

Meeting long-term goal dependent on future projects/ investment

Agency-wide priority

Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Environmental Impacts Review

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Including: • Project planning• National Environmental

Policy Act • Mitigation and

Monitoring


Medium Medium MediumSuccessful implementation of electronic LF 461 submittal and review process;

update of environmental standards and specifications


FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 130

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

LF 461 Submittals

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Fuel, Oils, and Lubricants Including:

• Container storage• Storage tanks• Transformers• Hydraulic systems• Spill prevention, control and

countermeasures


Medium Medium MediumTank management and spill prevention efforts continue to improve. Corrected EEFR findings related to Spill Plan. Spill response is ongoing

challenge.


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Hazardous MaterialsIncluding:

• Acquisition, storage and use of hazardous materials

• Emergency planning and response

• Community right-to-know


Medium High ? Concerns with inventory control, and CMTS inventory integrity.


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Hazardous Materials

Problems encountered during facility environmental audits include labeling, inaccurate inventories

Inaccurate inventories pose safety concerns with emergency response

Emergency Treatment Permits for disposing of certain hazardous materials: 8 incidents since 2001 (latest in FY 2013)Potential to raise ”red flags” to our regulators

Improvements900 containers with non-PDF MSDS (down from 1,600 a year ago)20% of CMTS inventories were not certified quarterly in FY13

(down from 25% in FY 2012)

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Regulated Waste

Including: Collection, storage, off-site shipment, recycling, disposal of

• Hazardous waste• Medical waste • Energetic waste• State regulated industrial or chemically

contaminated wastes• Universal and special waste


Medium High ? Hazardous Waste continues to be issue during facility audits


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Regulated Waste

Health and safety concernsNon-compliance with

regulations could lead to enforcement action (civil & criminal penalties)

Reoccurring internal findings include:Labeling of hazardous waste

containersFailure to keep waste containers

closedFailure to comply with Universal

waste requirements FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY130

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

23

34

30

16

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Waste Findings- Facility Audits

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Natural resourcesIncluding:

• Land use and resources• Wetlands and floodplains• Threatened and endangered species• Wildlife• Ecosystems• Oceans and coastal zones


Medium Medium High Natural resources management program gaining visibility


Natural ResourcesTree Management

Loss of established trees in recent years with construction and demolition projects, storm damage, disease, and maintenance

No Tree Master Plan to ensure future reestablishment Wildlife Management

Fairly large populations of fox, deer, raccoon, etc. Increase in problematic human-animal interactions due to feeding

of animalsWetlands/Floodplains

Protected areas under Chesapeake Bay ActConsiderations for all future developmentWetlands/Floodplains increasing with sea level rise

Natural Resources Management interrelated with land use management and stormwater retention requirements

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Remediation/RestorationIncluding:

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) sites

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act sites

• Tank sites


Medium Medium MediumLaRC is on NPL. EPA supports LaRC on plan to de-list from NPL. Construction/ demolition project managers consider possibility of contamination discovery.


Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Solid waste (non-hazardous)

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Including: • General trash• Construction waste• Solid waste landfills• Waste prevention and

recycling


Medium Medium MediumDiversion rate is high (89% in FY 12 due to waste-to-energy steam plant); opportunities for increasing recycling & composting; low

regulatory/legal risk


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Sustainable acquisition

• Affirmative procurement/ Green purchasing (energy/water efficient products, biobased, etc.)

• Electronics stewardship


High Medium MediumSustainable acq. requirements included in contracts, NF 1707 required for purchases,

training provided for NF 1707 users


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 201250%

55%

60%

65%

70%

75%

80%

85%

76%74% 75%

77%

68% 67%

81%

Compliance – Annual Data Call

Note – Beginning in 2012 data call does not include P-card purchases (only contracts and large PRs (above micro-purchase threshold)) – per HQ policy.

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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Sustainable facilities

Including: • High-performance and

sustainable buildings • Encroachment


High Medium Medium

Sustainability incorporated in ViTAL planning and new construction. Recent updates to

standards and specifications include sustainable principles. Key personnel trained

in LEED. Meeting Federal requirement for LEED Silver new construction


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Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Toxic substancesIncluding:

• Asbestos• Lead products (including paint)• Mercury• Polychlorinated biphenyls• Pesticides/herbicides• Radioactive materials


Medium Medium Medium High legal/regulatory scrutiny, but management controls are effective.


Assessment of PrioritiesCategory: Water quality

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Including: • Drinking water• Groundwater• Storm water• Erosion & Sediment Control• Sanitary or domestic wastewater• Industrial wastewater


High High High

More rapidly changing regulatory environment than any other category; new

Virginia stormwater regulations, TMDLs, new permitting requirements, Administrative Order for I&I, EISA requirements, and

climate change impacts. Intense construction and demo activities.


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Next stepsSeptember 2013: FY14 High Priorities FinalizedOctober 2013: Draft Objectives/Targets Developed, Submitted

to Committee for CommentNovember 2013: Objectives/Targets Finalized, Begin to Be

ImplementedJanuary 2014: Next EMC Meeting

Thank You! Your participation is appreciated.

QUESTIONS? DISCUSSION?

Documents

LaRC Environmental Management Committee September 26, 2013