Environmental resolutions: vow to make your operation environmentally friendly in 2004

Even if you're not a list-maker, making New Year's resolutions can be an effective incentive to start new habits. And it would be a good idea to commit to a greater awareness of environmental rules and practices this year.

Whether it's sprucing up your operation's exposure to the street or mitigating a potential operational problem, 2004 should become your "green" year. First, many of the national concrete trade associations are promoting concrete as the "green", sustainable material. Second, your neighbors and local zoning officials are more actively tracking manufacturing operations' environmental track records. (Check out what your neighbors know about your site by visiting EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/echo. It lists all citations that have been issued in your local area.

And if these two reasons weren't valid enough to entice you to make a New Year's resolution, how about the anticipated renewed enforcement activity due to the recently promulgated Oil Pollution Act? This includes the regulation requiring Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans. EPA officials predict the legal review of the bill will be completed early this year

Committing to a plan

Douglas Ruhlin, an environmental consultant at Resource Management Consultants, Forked River, N.J., works with all types of concrete producers. He offers a unique perspective on the importance of resolving to do the little things right. He's discovered that government inspectors will be more willing to work through difficulties if they believe your operation has a commitment to a solid plan.

"As a consultant, it's more rewarding helping a producer avoid trouble by being a developer of a sound environmental plan, than to be a negotiator between the producer and an inspector who already has the pen in hand," says Ruhlin.

Producers are heeding Ruhlin's advice for preparedness and awareness. For example, member producers of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) are working together to create a greater awareness of environmental responsibilities in their industry segment. A special subcommittee of the association's safety committee was established last fall.

According to Chas Capitano, the subcommittee chairperson, most precast plants are quite up-to-date on their air permits. "But when it comes to the complex array of rules involving water treatment, our members' overall attention might not be at the level of awareness it should be," says Capitano.

Under Capitano's leadership, the subcommittee hopes to increase PCI members' awareness of environmental issues. Sometime this year, it plans to publish a periodic member newsletter focusing on environmental topics and issues.