The College of Engineering hosted the roundtable for 130 professionals, in collaboration with World-Class Industrial Network LLC, based in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“The Pollution Prevention Roundtables are an ideal way for federal and state environmental agencies and industry to share best practices for addressing pollution prevention issues,” Terry Reed, director of continuing and distance education in the College of Engineering, said. “The forum gave participants an opportunity to learn about the latest research and developments for preventing pollution and improving the environment.”
One invited speaker, Stephen Johnson, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, began his presentation by praising Pennsylvania’s pollution prevention efforts.
“Pennsylvania is one of the leaders in pollution prevention,” Johnson said. “Through the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence program initiated in 1997 [by former Gov. Tom Ridge], Pennsylvania has reduced solid waste and air pollution and saved electricity.”
The Governor’s Awards recognize Pennsylvania companies, communities and nonprofit groups that demonstrate environmental leadership through the application of pollution prevention and environmentally sound technology practices.
During his presentation, Johnson outlined the EPA’s mission and focus under the leadership of Christine Todd Whitman. Johnson said Whitman’s goal for her tenure as head of the EPA is: “Leave the air cleaner. Leave the water purer. Leave the land better protected.”
“The EPA’s mission has not changed,” he said, “but the methods by which we accomplish our mission will and are changing. We’re committed to innovation and to partnerships with states, industry and the public.
We want to solve problems sooner, cheaper and in a better way through cooperative partnerships.”
Among EPA’s challenges are finding creative ways to tackle greenhouse gases, smog, water quality and wastewater infrastructure issues by building relationships with states, the federal government and local-level agencies, Johnson said.
David E. Hess, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, also spoke during the roundtable. He discussed Pennsylvania’s pollution prevention initiatives.
Other invited speakers focused on the topics of recycling and reuse systems for industrial waste management, environmental management systems and plant-wide pollution prevention programs.
While at Penn State, Hess joined Donald S. Welsh, EPA Region III administrator, in recognizing Penn State for its participation in EPA’s Energy Star building initiative. EPA introduced the Energy Star program in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“Penn State is setting an example by agreeing to measure, track and benchmark its energy performance as an Energy Star partner,” Hess said.
An outreach program of the College of Engineering and World-Class Industrial Network LLC
