The Virginia Environmental Excellence Program was established to encourage superior environmental performance. VEEP drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities and organizations within the Commonwealth that have strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements. The program has been in place since 2000 and currently has over 450 members.

There are two types of participation: facility-based and organization-based. The facility-based track (e.g., E2, E3 and E4) promotes the use of environmental management systems (EMS) and pollution prevention and is based on the principles of ISO 14001, the international standard for EMSs, which originated in Europe in the early 1990s. In 2012, DEQ launched the VEEP Sustainability Partners (SP) track to encourage organizations such as local governments, universities and state agencies across Virginia to make environmental sustainability part of their culture through leadership, innovation, and continual improvement.

Newest Members

• Roslyn Converters, Inc./Mundet, Inc., Colonial Heights (E3)
• Luck Stone Corporation - Rockville (E3)
• Virginia Department of Corrections - Dillwyn Correctional Center (E2 Renewal)
• Roanoke Cement Company (E3)
• US DOT Maritime Administration James River Reserve Fleet (E3 Renewal)
• Henrico County Landfill and Public Use Area (E2 Renewal)
• Virginia Department of Corrections - Sussex I and II State Prisons (E2 Renewal)
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources (E2 Renewal)
• Randolph-Macon College (E2 Renewal)
• Prince William County Library Services (E2)
• Virginia Dept of Corrections - Deep Meadow Correctional Center (E2 Renewal)
• City of Newport News - Landscape Services (E3 Renewal)

Success Stories

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Recent VEEP Recognition Events

On August 31, DEQ Director David Paylor (holding plaque) presented the Roanoke Cement Company with its E3 plaque and flag at a ceremony at the plant. Pictured with Mr. Paylor are (left to right) Bob Sells, Lance Clark and Costas Tassiadamis.

Two Prince William County departments, Library Services and the Police Department Public Safety Training Center, were recognized for their recent E2 acceptances at the County Board of Supervisors' meeting on June 18. Pictured below, left to right, are Curtis Brenner (Library Facilities and Services Coordinator), Richard Doucette (DEQ Northern Regional Office), and Richard Murphy (Library Systems Director). Accepting the VEEP plaque for the Police Department are, left to right, Captain William Cox, Lieutenant Christopher Feather, Sergeant Susan Crosbie, Richard Doucette, and Chief Stephan Hudson.

On June 12th, Hanover County's solid waste operations were recognized at the Board of Supervisors meeting. The County renewed its E2 participation for the Transfer Station and Yard Waste Composting Center and successfully achieved E2 for all six of its solid waste convenience centers. Pictured below are (L to R): Mike Murphy, DEQ Piedmont Regional Director, Mike Flagg, Director of Public Works, Board Chairman W. Canova Peterson IV, and Steve Chidsey, Solid Waste and Recycling Services.

Employees of the Luck Stone Greene and Charlottesville Plants gathered for ceremonies on June 6 to celebrate their recent E3 acceptances. Keith Fowler, DEQ Valley Regional Office Deputy Director, and Keith Boisvert of the Office of Pollution Prevention participated in both ceremonies.  Luck Stone Greene Plant Luck Stone Charlottesville Plant

A ceremony to mark the Luck Stone Fairfax Plant's recent E3 acceptance was held on May 23rd. Pictured above are the plant's employees with DEQ Northern Regional Office Director Tom Faha (second from left).

In 2005, the Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation specifically authorizing the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program.

In July 2000, DEQ signed a Memorandum of Agreement with EPA Region III which outlines the agencies' commitment toward regulatory innovation and the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program. The MOA identifies the processes and procedures that will be used to review VEEP applications as well as requests by VEEP E3 and E4 participants for regulatory flexibility.