New York State is a participant in the National Strategic Goals Program (SGP) and has been actively working to implement the national program as it applies to the metal finishing industry. The New York State Strategic Goals Program (NYSSGP) is a voluntary multi-stakeholder program aimed at improving environmental performance and reducing costs for participating metal finishing facilities that are in compliance with environmental performance requirements or those that are striving to achieve and go beyond compliance.

Implementation of the National SGP is taking place at various levels of government. The guiding focus of the SGP is to move beyond environmental compliance and the achievement of the national performance goals. This focus will ultimately help to move the metal finishing industry toward cleaner, cheaper, and smarter practices. Some of the enabling actions of the SGP have involved changes in federal regulatory programs. These activities, as well as the administration of a system for measuring and tracking progress toward the goals, are being implemented at the national level.

"Cleaner—cheaper—smarter" The pyramid symbolizes the challenge faced by metal finishers to reach the top; that is, 100% of the goals.

Much of the SGP work, however, is taking place at the regional level in areas of the country where stakeholders have indicated a strong interest in developing "regional" or "State-based" SGPs. NYSDEC has been working with USEPA and stakeholders since early 1999 to develop the New York Program. Stakeholder meetings have been held almost monthly. Stakeholders have developed the framework document, technical review board, and listing of benefits to participants. Each of these components is critical in attaining the Program's goals. The Pollution Prevention Unit has been NYSDEC's primary participant in the process.

As a result of these meetings, the NYSSGP stakeholders have prepared the "New York Strategic Goals Program Metal Finishing—Program Framework Document." The document includes:

NYSSGP guiding principles

Program administration—establishes the Technical Review Board which is responsible for placing facilities on, off, up, or down the performance ladder

Program scorecard—national performance goals

Program system—compliance with environmental regulations/goal attainment

Performance ladder—table of benefits available based on goal/compliance performance attained.

The NYSSGP "Metal Finishing" Program Framework document was signed by several major stakeholders on September 20, 2000. This document officially establishes the program framework in New York State. Signing the framework document, then marked the formal beginning of a cooperative effort between business and the regulated community and demonstrated that the two can meet together on a regular basis and develop a voluntary program that will improve environmental compliance and achieve environmental performance goals. New York's SGP participants are committing to make progress to meet the following National Performance Goals:

98% metals utilized on products (not wasted)

50% water reduction

25% energy reduction

90% reduction in organic Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) emissions

50% reduction in metals emissions to air and water

50% reduction in land disposal of hazardous sludge and a reduction in sludge generation

Reduction in human exposure to toxic materials in the facility and the community.

Signatories of the SGP framework document, From left: Carl Johnson, Deputy Commissioner NYSDEC; Adam Zabinski, President NYWEA; Philip Heckler, Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, NYCDEP; Richard L. Elander, Onondaga Co. Dept. of Drainage and Sanitation; James Caruso, Buffalo Sewer Authority; Harry Reiter, Monroe Co. Dept. of Environmental Services; John Chamalian, Co-chair of National SGP and Board of Directors/Past President, Masters' Association of Metal Finishers; J. Higdon, President, National Association of Metal Finishers; Milt Stevenson, President, Anoplate Corp.; George Pavlou, Director, Div. Of Enforcement & Compliance Assistance, USEPA Region 2.

Why is the SGP important?

Through the SGP, the U.S. metal finishing industry, government regulators, and policymakers are working together to improve environmental performance and the bottom line. The result—everybody wins:

Companies receive the incentives and resources needed to go beyond compliance.

The industry as a whole benefits from the positive action of SGP member companies and better working conditions with regulators.

The metal-finishing industry becomes increasingly more self-regulated, and government regulators—from to the local POTW—save time and money.

What's in it for you?

The SGP program is designed to help metal finishers achieve both environmental and economic goals. A wide variety of state and local SGP resources are available to provide the tools needed to get the job done. These tools include technical assistance/workshops, regulatory flexibility, and recognition.

Adam Zabinski, President of NYWEA, and George Pavlou, Director of Enforcement & Compliance Assistance USEPA, signing the NYSSGP Framework document

Getting started with the SGP

If you are a metal finisher and want to get started, here's how. First, obtain information by going to http://www.strategicgoals.org. At this web site you can obtain basic program information about the Strategic Goals Program. Details are available from the National SGP Answer Line at 703-354-2171.

You can join the NYSSGP by simply completing the Statement of Commitment, National Strategic Goals Program Participant for the Metal Finishing Sector.

Download the Statement of Commitment (Adobe .pdf format).

Complete the commitment form, and send or fax it to:

Global Environment & Technology Foundation
Attn: Tim Connor
7010 Little River Turnpike, Suite 460
Annadale, VA 22003
Fax 703-750-6506

You will receive a "Welcome Aboard Kit" that explains the details of the SGP and will be contacted by an SGP representative. Next, fill out and send in your worksheets (baseline year and current year, both are contained in "Welcome Aboard Kit"). You can also download the 1999 Current Year worksheet. If you need technical help completing your worksheets, contact George Cushnie, 703-264-0039. (George is the National SGP's project data person.)

Download the 1999 Current Year worksheet (Adobe .pdf format).

Once you complete the worksheets and submit them, you will receive two items: Database Code Number (use this to track your progress on-line) and a Progress Report (a confidential report mailed to you annually). With those items in hand, work on your facilities' compliance issues, and work on your goal attainment. When you have reached sufficient goal attainment and you are in compliance, apply to the NYS Technical Review Board (TRB). The TRB will evaluate your application, and if appropriate place you on the performance ladder and award you benefits for that level.

The NYSDEC Pollution Prevention Unit also provides technical assistance on various topics related to the SGP throughout the year. For early 2001, the Pollution Prevention Unit is planning workshops for metal finishers (topics will include regulations, P2, the NYSSGP, and Environmental Management Systems).

Check NYSDEC's website to learn about upcoming Department activities.

You can also obtain copies of the Unit's publications from the web site.

____________
Dennis J. Lucia, PE is a Section Chief in the NYSDEC Pollution Prevention Unit. To obtain more information on the NYSSGP. contact Dennis at the Pollution Prevention Unit, NYSDEC, Room 298, 50 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12233-8010, 518-485-5857.

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