Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management
24 January 2007
Executive Order 13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management", signed by President Bush on January 24, 2007. The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. In addition the order requires more widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and continually improve these sustainable practices.

This document, issued by OFEE, clarifies what is required in order to declare conformance with the EMS requirements of EO 13423.

This document, dated October 2004 describes what requirements must be followed if a facility/organization does not have an EMS.

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive has released implementation guidance for use in preparing and deploying a Hierarchical, Organization-focused Environment Safety and Health Management System (ESHMS). The guidance includes sample templates while outlining key steps for agencies to follow to implement a hierarchical, organizational-level, enterprise ESHMS, from headquarters down to facilities. The templates may also be used for the development of a system that addresses environment only (i.e. EMS) or for a system that is implemented at only one level of the organization.

This DOE Order details the implementation of EMS at DOE Facilities.

This Department Manual release, 515 DM 4, issued August 13, 2008, updates Departmental policy, responsibilities, and functions on environmental management systems to be conducted on Departmental lands, facilities, operations, and services.

NASA Procedural Requirement 855.3.1A describes NASA's Environmental Management System (EMS).

This guidance, issued by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) will increase the use of EMSs in civil settlements and explains how they will be used to address the root causes of violations and the risks they pose to communities and ecosystems. In addition, EPA is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to seek EMSs in appropriate criminal plea agreements to achieve beneficial outcomes for the environment. EPA also has issued a memorandum, Expanding the Use of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), to encourage and expand their use in enforcement settlements and in community involvement. The EMS guidance is an extension of EPA’s May 2002 Position Statement on EMSs, in which the agency committed to promote EMS use and emphasize the adoption of EMSs to achieve improved environmental performance and compliance and pollution prevention through source reduction.

USEPA's position statement on the use of EMSs to address an organization's environmental responsibilities -- signed by EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, December 13, 2005.

The text of the position statement signed by Administrator Christine Todd Whitman on May 15, 2002.

This updated statement replaces the 2002 Position Statement on EMS signed by Administrator Whitman and reflects EPA's experiences to date with the promotion of voluntary EMSs as well as our continued commitment to be a leader in this area. The Position Statement explains EPA's policy on EMSs and the Agency's intent to continue to promote the voluntary wide-spread use of EMSs across a range of organizations and settings. EPA encourages organizations to implement EMSs that result in improved environmental performance and compliance, cost-savings, pollution prevention through source reduction, and continual improvement. (Federal Register: February 2, 2006 [Notices], Page 5664-5665).

This memorandum, dated 28 December 2005, transmits recommended practices for providing EMS-related compliance assistance to Federal Facilities. The memorandum was issued to Regional Federal Facilities Senior Managers, Regional Enforcement Division Directors, Regional Media Division Directors, and Regional Enforcement Coordinators.

ISO/IEC 17021:2006 has been issued and it contains principles and requirements for the competence, consistency and impartiality of the audit and certification of management systems of all types (e.g. quality management systems or environmental management systems) and for bodies providing these activities. Certification bodies operating to this International Standard need not offer all types of management system certification.

This memorandum, jointly issued by OMB and CEQ, encourages all agencies to adopt and implement EMS, including the establishment of a firm date for final completion of the efforts. Additionally, agencies are encouraged to work with the January 2006 scorecard initiative launched by OMB. The January 11, 2006 scorecards address Environmental Stewardship, Transportation Management, and Energy Management.

This document outlines the recommended practices concerning EMS for EPA staff during federal facility inspections. In particular, EPA staff are encouraged to provide previously-prepared EMS information as a part of compliance assistance and facility education.

Answers to common questions about ISO 14000.

Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the 14000 series is primarily concerned with environmental management. The ISO standards must be purchased and so are not replicated here. The family of ISO 14000 standards includes:

• ISO 14001, Environmental management systems -- Requirements with guidance for use, 2004
• ISO 14004, Environmental management systems -- General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques, 2004
• ISO 14015, Environmental management -- Environmental assessment of sites and organizations (EASO), 2001
• ISO 14031, Environmental management -- Environmental performance evaluation – Guidelines, 1999
• ISO 14032, Environmental management -- Examples of environmental performance evaluation (EPE), 1999

Note: DOD users may access the text of ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 free-of-charge with a valid DENIX account by clicking here and then logging into DENIX.

Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this document is primarily concerned with the management of audit programs. The ISO standards must be purchased and so are not replicated here.

This memorandum, issued by OMB, issue the changed and finalized scorecards for Environmental Stewardship, Transportation Management, and Energy Management.

This guide provides practitioners with a tool to improve NEPA implementation and achieve the environmental sustainability goals laid out in NEPA and Executive Order 13423. The guide provides examples of how NEPA and EMS together can help federal agencies more effectively manage their environmental responsibilities. For example, identifying environmental aspects in the development of an EMS can build on aspects identified in previous NEPA analyses. Conversely, a new NEPA analysis can consider the identified environmental aspects in an EMS when assessing potential environmental impacts of a proposed future action.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (E-Pact) established new statutory requirements specifically designed to improve the environmental management of federal facility underground storage tanks (USTs). Executive Order 13423 Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, requires that federal agencies implement environmental management systems (EMS) at all appropriate organizational levels. This EPA document provides guidance and examples of how efforts to address Underground Storage Tank regulatory requirements and implement best management practices for UST operations can work in concert with Environmental Management System implementation.

This document provides background information about the connection between EMSs and the FEC program. One primary purpose of an EMS is to coordinate environmental management activities into one integrated framework that enhances and improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of these existing, but separate, environmental programs. The FEC is an environmental management program that can exist within the structure of your EMS to improve your facility’s environmental performance.

(EPA 742-R-05-001) The goal of this report is to help Federal facilities integrate green purchasing into their EMS. The intended audience includes those tasked with implementing an EMS, reducing environmental impacts, meeting green purchasing requirements and/or buying products and services in a Federal facility.

This tool was developed to address the elements of ISO 14001 EMS Standard in the context of electronic equipment management across the lifecycle of the equipment. The tool provides resources for locating information and FEC program tools to help establish and implement your EMS, specifically the portions that concern electronic equipment management. The tool also provides equivalent activities that can “populate” your EMS and at the same time meet FEC program requirements for recognition.

This program offers a complete one-stop introduction to a wide range of environmental issues and decisions that affect small to medium-sized communities. It offers communities the chance to judge their own needs and preferences, and to make informed decisions on their own. Major sections cover:

• Environmental laws and regulations
• Self-assessment
• Planning and comparative risk analysis
• Financial tools and financial self-analysis
• Case studies
• Contact and information directory

Each section includes interactive tools, such as a notebook tool to fill in and save survey forms and keep notes.

This program is an approach to regional scale, priority-setting assessment being developed by EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD). ReVA integrates research on human and environmental health, ecorestoration, landscape analysis, regional exposure and process modeling, problem formulation, and ecological risk guidelines. Rhe scope of ReVA is to conduct pilot assessments that focus on one geographic region that is well characterized biologically. The ReVA program is responsible for the collection, management, and analysis of multiple data sources to evaluate environmental conditions and known stressors within the Mid-Atlantic region. This website includes a basic introduction to the environmental vulnerability assessment approach, and an overview of the ReVA tools and their applications.

The first issue of this newsletter was issued in April 2005. The purpose of this newsletter is to summarize and disseminate available, up-to-date information about sustainability.

While ISO does not itself issue certificates or accreditation, the need has been felt for ISO to play a role in the dissemination of information on the national programmes in operation in various countries. This directory is intended to contribute to meeting that demand.

Sustainability News explores the relationships between people, their landscapes, and their future, and how national parks and park partners are demonstrating "best practices" systemwide.

Case studies on developing and implementing EMS in both the private and the public sector.

The EMS Library is designed as a clearinghouse for Joint Service EMS resources. This resource specifically addresses EMS issues and fosters information sharing, success stories, and lessons learned.

A collection of documents, guides, and case studies about EMS.

The Center helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. It is a coalition of educational organizations, environmental organizations, citizen groups, the National Resources Defense Council, Consumer Federation of America, the Public Utility Law Project, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It addresses issues such as institutional purchasing, development of more sustainable products, living sustainably, and buying wisely.

Sustainability is the ability to achieve economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet, and providing a higher quality of life for its people. Individuals, communities and institutions are developing and implementing sustainability practices with the help of dozens of EPA programs, partnerships and policy tools. This site provides links to many EPA programs and tools that contribute to sustainability. These are organized into three main areas: planning and practices; scientific tools and technology; measuring progress.

This collaborative network was launched on Earth Day, April 2000, when a small group of Federal leaders on the west coast saw the need to promote the principles of sustainability within government organizations. OFEE is working with FNS on creating sister networks elsewhere in the country. Their highlights actual sustainable practices being implemented by member agencies in the areas of biodiesel, EMS, green power, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, and copier paper. Partners include, but are not limited to, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Corps of Engineers, NASA, DOE, EPA, NPS, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the U.S. Navy.

A non-profit, non-partisan, world federation of national associations for environmental management and sustainable development. Their site contains articles, case studies, and tools on environmental management, as well as links to other EMS sites.

ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 148 countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. The ISO 14000 family of standards are the basis of environmental management systems throughout the world.

The PEER Center is funded by EPA's Office of Water through a grant to the Global Environment and Technology Foundation. It is meant to be a one-stop shop for EMS information and resources for public entities. While the Web site is intended for public entities, it should be useful for any organization developing and implementing an EMS

The 2005 CTC winners are the The Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An overview what they have done in the EMS arena that warrented this award starts on page 2 of the Closing the Circle News.

This award is given to recognize efforts to ensure mission accomplishment and protection of human health through implementation of environmental management systems, pollution prevention, and environmental compliance that promotes sustainability in the areas of environmental planning, waste management, and land, air and water resource protection. These are annual awards celebrating the previous years' accomplishments/innovations. Nominations are typically accepted until March and the awards given in June.

This award is given to recognize efforts to ensure mission accomplishment and protection of human health through implementation of environmental management systems, pollution prevention, and environmental compliance that promotes sustainability in the areas of environmental planning, waste management, and land, air and water resource protection. These are annual awards celebrating the previous years' accomplishments/innovations. Nominations are typically accepted until March and the awards given in June.

The military winner for 2007 is the U.S. Navy Environmental Program Office at the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest for their entry titled “Continual Environmental Improvement for Sustainability.” The civilian winner for 2007 is the Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory EMS Team for their entry titled “Expanding the Envelope of BNL’s EMS.”

The military winner for 2008 is Robins Air Force Base for their entry titled Environmental Management for the Future. The civilian winner for 2008 is U.S. Postal Service in Washington D.C. for their entry titled USPS Environmental Performance Track Initiative.

Contains proposed language for inclusion in Statements of Work for new on-site contracts.

Contains proposed language for inclusion in Statements of Work for current/existing on-site contracts.

U.S. Department of Defense's environmental management system's home page. Contains DoD-wide and Service-specific EMS policy and guidance, tools and training material, POCs, presentations, pilot studies and other useful information.

This Web site provides information and resources related to Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) for businesses, associations, the public, and state and federal agencies. An EMS is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.

This guide is designed to explain environmental management system (EMS) concepts and to support and facilitate the development of EMS among small and medium-sized organizations.

The Executive Summary of a 2 volume in-depth study funded by the EPA Office of Water and Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation at EPA. This study, was designed to determine if EMSs do in fact improve environmental performance. Baseline information, information on EMS design, and information on changes in performance were collected from each facility over several years. This study was also supported by a number of states, through the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems. State managers played a critical role in ensuring data quality and worked closely with a number of facilities involved in the research.

Volumes 1 and 2 of an in-depth study funded by the EPA Office of Water and Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation at EPA. This study, was designed to determine if EMSs do in fact improve environmental performance. Baseline information, information on EMS design, and information on changes in performance were collected from each facility over several years. This study was also supported by a number of states, through the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems. State managers played a critical role in ensuring data quality and worked closely with a number of facilities involved in the research.

An article by Edward A. Boling, Deputy General Counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), reprinted with permission from ELR News & Analysis, Environmental Law Institute, Washington, D.C., focusing on the interplay of NEPA and EMS at federal facilities.

This guide is designed to help Federal managers who are considering adopting an environmental management system (EMS).

A quick overview of the EMS process and EPA resources.

This is derived from a list of facilities, activities, tasks, aspects and impacts developed for the Department of the Army. The Army-specific facilities have been deleted (i.e. bombing ranges) and the language modified to reflect more common-use terms (i.e. “vehicle maintenance” instead of “Auto Hobby Shop”). This is not a comprehensive list, instead, it is a starting point. The Facility Types in this list include, but are not limited to: Automotive Service Station; Cafeteria; Car Wash; Dental Clinic; Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facility; Fossil-Fuel Electric Generating Plant; Fuel Dispensing; Hazardous Waste Storage Area; Historic Sites; Housing; Individual Sewage Systems; Medical Centers and Hospitals; Oil/Water Separators and Grit Traps; Pesticide Storage Area; Remediation Site; Tank Truck Load/Unload Facility; Underground Storage Tank System (UST); Universal waste storage area, Vehicle Maintenance; and Wetlands.

Information for anyone that reviews and approves agency environmental budgets.

This toolkit will enable utility managers looking to make an informed decision about "why" to implement an EMS based upon the best available information and experiences from other utilities that have successfully implemented. Additionally, the toolkit provides guidance for utility managers and staff that have decided to implement an EMS and are looking for state-of-the-art guidance and advice on "how" to implement.

This guide is designed to explain environmental management system (EMS) concepts and to support and facilitate the development of EMS among small and medium-sized organizations.

Identifies what EPA program Offices map to which environmental aspects.

The Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 13423 require agencies to commit to proactive communications with interested parties, ideally as part of their environmental management systems (EMSs). From 2003 to 2005, the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive led a team, consisting of Federal and state agencies, that created a cross-walk identifying available guidance documents regarding environmental communications. The intent of these documents is to assist organizations in developing proactive communications procedures and processes using the EMS Plan, Do, Check, Act model.

Help for determining where effort needs to be exerted to develop a robust EMS.

EPA's EMS basics website, including why develop an EMS, how to develop and EMS, costs and benefits, etc.

This October 2007 document provides practical guidance, potential language, and examples of environmentally beneficial landscaping practices for each of the EMS elements. The intended audience includes Federal facility staff tasked with developing an EMS and reducing the environmental impact of facility landscaping activities. The purpose of this guidance document is to assist with the addition of sustainable landscaping practices to an existing EMS or to the incorporation of sustainable landscaping into the development of an EMS.

Sample EMS costs tracking matrix.

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE) is leading a new initiative to bring together private sector entities with proven, successful environmental management systems (EMS) as mentors with Federal facilities in order to enhance the Federal EMS development and implementation, and provide an opportunity for all to learn from each other's experiences.

Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE) flowchart on how to evaluate environmental aspects.

Example position description for senior environmental protection specialist/analyst in the area of environmental management.

A series of suggested questions that are to be a guide when interviewing potential registrars in preparation for ISO 14001 certification.

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a partnership that includes State and Federal agencies, advocacy groups, and interested persons. EPA Region 3 has spearheaded the application of EMS principles as part of managing the Chesapeake Bay.

The centerpiece to DNSC's ESOHMS is the Interpretive Guidance Document (IGD), which is based upon ISO 14001 - "Environmental Management Systems - Specification with Guidance for Use" and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 - "Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - Specification."

Dated December 2005, the scope of the DOE HQ Facilities EMS encompasses two major facilities – the James Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, Southwest, Washington, D.C., and the Germantown Main Building, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland. This document details how the EMS process has been implemented at these facilities.

The details of developing and implementing an EMS for the EPA Region 3 Philadelphia Office. Includes a summary of the EMS, a factsheet, and training.

Developed by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) and dated February 2005. This document is designed to help range operators, regulators, and others develop a consistent approach to the evaluation and deployment of appropriate practices and technologies at applicable sites.

The EPA's Environmental Science Center (ESC) is located at Ft. Meade MD. This site provides access to their EMS manual, their Employee Fact Sheet, their accomplishments, and their budget.

The Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Program represents a systematic approach to environmental management, providing a framework to weave existing environmental programs into VHA's Environment of Care management processes, which enables the organization to achieve continual improvement in performance. Within the Environment of Care Program, the GEMS Guidebook will provide for environmental regulatory compliance and conformance with VHA policy and Executive Order 13148. This is a link to the MS Word-based version dated March 2004 with updates through April 2005.

The Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Program represents a systematic approach to environmental management, providing a framework to weave existing environmental programs into VHA's Environment of Care management processes, which enables the organization to achieve continual improvement in performance. Within the Environment of Care Program, the GEMS Guidebook will provide for environmental regulatory compliance and conformance with VHA policy and Executive Order 13148. This is a link to the Web-based version dated March 2004 with updates as of April 2005.

Powerpoint presentation detailing NASA's EMS program.

The TVA’s EMS provides:

• A set of processes based on best practices to help TVA meet the commitments expressed in its Environmental Policy and Principles
• A way to standardize environmental practices
• A means for continuous improvement, and
• A tool for reducing environmental risk.

This Directive, dated 1 July 2008, applies to all Bureaus, the Departmental Offices (DO), the Office of the Inspector General (IG), and the Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Bureaus located in space provided through the General Services Administration (GSA) will partner with GSA to ensure Treasury compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

This DHS memorandum, issued October 18, 2008, along with the DHS Directive for Sustainable Practices (issued in September) provides the backbone for the DHS EMS and other Executive Order 13423 sustainable programs (Green Purchasing, Electronic Stewardship, Sustainable Buildings, etc).

This document contains a memorandum dated 5 September 2008 mandating that in order to "improve our overall environmental compliance and performance .......departmental bureaus and office implement EMS at appropriate organizational levels." The Departmental Manual 515 DM 4 provides guidance on implementing EMS as a means to promote environmental compliance and sound environmental stewardship.

EPA memo by EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, May 17, 2002.

Forest Service Manual (FSM) 1300 Management, Chapters 1330 and 1331 are updated as of 3 March 2006. This document details the application of ISO 14001 in the Forest Service, including EMS documentation, self declaration protocols, disclosure, and independent second-party audits.

This document, dated 27 June 2008, establishes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) policy for compliance with environmental regulations, Executive Orders, EMS conformance, and for the management of the IRS Environmental Program.

This list is based on the FY 05 data call under EO 13148.

Article from the current (March 2005) edition of the Air & Waste Management Association's EM magazine for environmental managers discussing EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD)'s efforts to implement their EMS.

This is a list of questions that address the status of EMS implementation.

The purpose of this guidance is to assist Federal agencies in gathering and reporting the information necessary to address the requirements of Section 307 of Executive Order 13148, “Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management” for calendar year 2002.

Calendar year 2003 scorecard for EMS implementation in the Federal Government.

Final draft EMS scorecard criteria and metrics for CY05.

Final scorecard metrics developed by the EO 13148 Work Group. Each agency will be requested to provide a summary of this information for its EMS appropriate facilities.

On 15 September 2008 Joe Cascio, the Federal Environmental Executive, sent an email to all Senior Agency Officials reminding them of the annual data call due 31 December 2008. Accompanying the email is guidance for accomplishing the 2008 report (see Enclosure 1); an agency-level EMS report template (Attachment A), a facility/organization-level data template (Attachment B) and the FY08 EMS metrics (Attachment C). Also included are the proposed FY09 metrics (Enclosure 2), for comment.

Senior management briefing developed by OFEE

Presentation on the OFEE Clarification of Conformance Requirements, general EMS auditing practices, the requirements of EO 13423, and general auditing processes and tools. Presentation given at the Federal Environmental Symposium – East, June 2008 by Will Garvey, EPA.

The DHHS version of the Army’s EMS Manager’s Guide.

Dept. of Interior's EMS awareness training presentation, dated August 2007.

Introduction to EMS auditing concepts.

A MS Powerpoint presentation that was given to senior officials at the Department of Justice headquarters building in July, 2004.

There are three training sessions. One is for the Region 3 regional staff on implementing an EMS in the Philadelphia Regional Office. Two is for focusing the Region 3 staff on their responsibility in the system, our policy, objectives, accomplishments and next steps. Three is meant to provides a good introduction to what an EMS is, and what responsibilities a new employee, contractor, or other people working in our office have in our EMS.

These presentations provide guidance and tools for facility Program Managers to use and modify to meet their facility training and educational needs. They can be used for general awareness training for upper management, or for detailed EMS implementation guidance for individuals and line managers implementing EMS improvements.

This course provides an overview of environmental management systems (EMS) and how EMS can support environmental improvements at facilities that are subject to environmental regulations. It also presents information regarding the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) involvement in supporting EMS efforts at facilities regulated under a number of environmental statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This training course will take about 1 hour to complete.

A presentation with information on connecting the FEC to your EMS.

This presentation, given at the Federal Facilities Council meeting, discusses how the scorecards work and the status of the program.

Generic version of the Army’s EMS Manager’s Guide.

One page management brief.

Report of the EMS Metrics Subgroup -- "EMS Metrics: A Peek at 2009 and Beyond" presentation at the 2008 Federal Environmental Symposium East.

This is a copy of a briefing given to the EO 13148 Workgroup. Its focus is to describe connections between the FEC and EMSs and introduce the workgroup to the FEC EMS Module.

Briefing presented by Ed Pinero at the Executive Meeting on Designing Your EMS sponsored by EPA regions 4 and 6.

The intended audience for this guide is Top managers, that is: managers of any site, office, site, or other organization who have authority to allocate resources and direct activities. This guide many also be valuable for any individual with responsibility for directing activities and allocating resources at their organization, or with other responsibility for employees or operations.