Recognition
One of the benefits offered to facilities participating in VEEP is recognition of their accomplishments and achievements. Many facilities request a recognition ceremony to mark either their acceptance into the program or movement from one level to another. VEEP plaques are available to all facilities and organizations at a ceremony or otherwise upon request; DEQ offers small flags to E3 and E4 members. E4 facilities can purchase flags with the E4 logo suitable for flying outdoors through a private vendor; DEQ can provide additional information. DEQ highlights recent ceremonies on the main VEEP homepage. DEQ also encourages VEEP facilities to apply for recognition through the annual Governor's Environmental Excellence Award program. For more information, contact Meghann Quinn at or (804) 698-4021.
Regulatory Incentives
Depending on a facility’s level of participation (E2, E3 or E4), certain regulatory incentives may become available. There are no regulatory benefits associated with participation in the VEEP Sustainability Partners track.
E2, E3 & E4 Facilities
Annual Permit Fee Discounts for Water and Waste Permittees
In 2004, DEQ was directed by the Virginia General Assembly to revise its water and waste permit fee structures to fund the agency's permitting activities. The new permit fee regulations, which include discounts on annual permit fees for facilities participating in VEEP, were adopted by the State Water Control Board and the Waste Management Board in June and are in effect as of September 8, 2004. The discounts became effective in 2005 and are dependent on the facility's acceptance and continued participation in the program. The specific discounts for VEEP participants included in the regulations are as follows:
- Solid Waste Management: Participating E2 facilities will receive potentially up to a 10% discount on annual fees; E3 facilities will receive potentially up to a 20% discount. The total of all discounts cannot exceed $140,000 annually for all solid waste facilities.
- Hazardous Waste Management: Participating E2 facilities will receive potentially up to a 5% discount; E3 facilities will receive potentially up to a 10% discount. The total of all discounts will not exceed a total of $26,000 annually.
- Water: Participating E2 facilities will receive potentially up to a 2% discount; E3 facilities will receive potentially up to a 5% discount. The total of all discounts will not exceed a total of $64,000 annually.
Please read the following for more complete information:
E3 & E4 Facilities
Alternate Compliance Methods: In 2005, the Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation codifying VEEP. Its provisions became effective July 1, 2005. One of the provisions of the law is a provision for the Department to grant alternative compliance methods to state regulations.
As outlined in Section 10.1-1187.6 of the Code of Virginia, the Air Pollution Control Board, the State Water Control Board and the Waste Management Board “may grant alternative compliance methods to the regulations adopted pursuant to their authorities” for Virginia Environmental Excellence Program E3 and E4 facilities considered to be in good standing with the program. Potential alternative compliance methods (ACM) outlined by the law include “changes to monitoring and reporting requirements and schedules, streamlined submission requirements for permit renewals, the ability to make certain operational changes without prior approval, and other changes that would not increase a facility’s impact on the environment.”
The facility proposing the ACM must demonstrate that the proposed method will meet the purpose of the applicable regulatory standard through increased reliability, efficiency or cost effectiveness and provide environmental protection equal to or greater than that provided by the applicable regulatory standard. ACMs that would alter ambient air quality standards, ground water protection standards or water quality standards will not be approved. Additionally, ACMs that increase pollutants released to the environment, increase impacts to state waters, or otherwise result in a loss of wetland acreage will not be approved.
In order for DEQ to review requests from facilities for ACMs, it is critical that all information necessary for the agency to evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed alternative approach be submitted. A facility’s submittal should address each section of the request form and explain in detail the proposed ACM, including a demonstration showing how the ACM will meet the intent and be equivalent to or exceed the established standard from which relief is sought. This may require submittal of both documentation and references to demonstrate that the intent is met and to support their claim of equivalence.
DEQ does not intend to develop or make available a list of potential ACMs; proposals must come from facilities using the request form. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the requesting facility to demonstrate the intent and equivalency of their proposal is consistent with currently established compliance method.
For more information on completing the form, contact: Meghann Quinn at 804-698-4021.