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EMS Development and Testing
for NASA
For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), ICF International is currently developing
and pilot testing an agency-wide EMS. This system
is expressly designed to comply with the principles
and performance objectives of the Code of Environmental
Management Principles (CEMP) articulated by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
well as the ISO 14001 Standard. During the course
of this project, ICF International has prepared a
detailed and comprehensive comparison of CEMP
and ISO 14001 requirements and expectations, prepared
a draft agency-wide EMS Procedures Manual, and
reviewed and analyzed the suitability of existing
NASA procedures and work practices for inclusion
in a formal EMS. ICF International also prepared
implementation plans for the three field centers
at which the EMS will be evaluated. Field implementation
and testing of the EMS began in May 2000, and
ICF International will support implementation with
training and preparation of procedures as needed.
ICF International also has been tasked with measuring
the costs and benefits of EMS adoption and implementation
at NASA, and is currently developing performance
metrics that will be used during implementation.
The Core Team was awarded a NASA Agency Wide Honor Award (2002), a NASA Headquarters Honor Award (2001), and a White House "Closing the Circle" Award for helping NASA develop EMS strategies at three centers: Glenn Research Station, Johnson Space Center, and Stennis Space Center.
EMS Development at NASA Headquarters
ICF International is currently working with NASA
Headquarters in planning and implementation of
their EMS. Work on this project includes the development
of agency-level EMS manuals and procedures, as
well as center-level system development guidance.
At NASA headquarters, ICF International is assisting
all operating groups with NASA-wide responsibilities
as part of an agency-level systematic approach
to reviewing environmental issues and ensuring
that those issues best addressed at the NASA-wide
versus facility-level receive upper management
attention and support. ICF International is working
with NASA's environmental division to develop
a knowledge management system to be used by NASA
centers and headquarters to communicate effectively
and to share documents. ICF International also is
providing assistance with development of an "EMS
Manual" and related procedures. As part of
this project, ICF International also provides support
in updating and maintaining the NASA EMS public
Web site.
EMS Design and Development,
Wallops Flight Facility, NASA
For NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Wallops,
Virginia, ICF International is leading the development
of its EMS. ICF International staff worked closely
with the WFF Environmental Office to develop a
detailed implementation plan and assist with other
activities in preparation for EMS implementation,
which commenced in May 2003. Other pre-implementation
work included the defining and communicating of
appropriate roles and responsibilities for the
EMS Core and Project Team and briefing of the
teams on EMS strategy and direction. With implementation,
directorate interviews were conducted for identification
of environmental aspects and impacts. Discussion
also began on the development of an EMS communications
and training program. Preliminary options also
are currently being developed for an electronic
EMS manual to be housed on the WFF Intranet.
EMS for Meat Processing Sector
ICF International is working with EPA's Office of
Policy to promote the use of environmental management
systems in the meat P\processing industry. Work
has included EMS guidance materials, EMS templates,
implementation guidance, promotional materials,
and facilitation of training programs. Comparison
with, and use of, management system strengths
in this sector includes existing quality systems,
the infrastructure required to support food safety
inspections, and the Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) programs. Project work also
has involved implementation seminars, consultation
with pilot program participants, and training
modules for the ten module EMS implementation
project. In conjunction with this program, EMS
implementation training was provided to Office
of Policy staff and those involved with EPA's
Performance Track initiative. EPA has recently
expanded this initiative and, as a result, ICF International will begin similar EMS development
work with six other industry sectors.
EMS Development and Implementation
Planning for the General Services Administration-Public
Buildings Service (GSA-PBS)
ICF International is currently developing a nationwide
EMS for GSA's Public Buildings Service, the nation's
largest commercial-style real estate ownership
and management organization. To date, ICF International
has developed an overall EMS development strategy,
provided EMS training to key PBS headquarters
and regional personnel, and developed detailed
work plans for developing tailored regional pilot
tests of key EMS elements. Based upon pilot test
results, ICF International will complete formulation
of the nationwide EMS, develop an implementation
strategy, and assemble methods and tools to facilitate
regional EMS implementation.
ISO 14000 EMS Gap Analysis
and EMS Development and Implementation at Ontario
Power Generation
ICF International began its relationship with Ontario
Power Generation (OPG) by assessing the ISO 14001
status at two pilot sites, the corporate offices,
and the Saunders Generating Station. Based on
the findings of this gap analysis, we helped OPG
develop an EMS framework and model to be deployed
and adapted at the four hydroelectric power generating
plant groups. To accomplish this, we helped OPG
define their scope of application as well as an
appropriate organizational structure. This framework
and model was formalized in a corporate ISO 14001-compliant
EMS manual. With the model developed, OPG then
appointed EMS representatives at each plant group
and contracted with ICF International to supply a
full-time, on-site EMS expert at each plant group
to ensure the effective adaptation and deployment
of the EMS. We have assisted Ontario Hydro with
all phases and aspects of EMS deployment through
to ISO 14001 registration of the four plant groups.
Ongoing work now involves: continual improvement
activities; integration of the EMS program into
a Web-based architecture; and operations control
systems integration with SAPTM (Systems, Applications,
and Products in Data Processing) work management
systems to ensure that environmental compliance
is a part of normal work practices.
EMS, Information Systems,
and ISO 14000 at Tembec
A team of ICF International professionals are assisting
Tembec's six Ontario sawmills with the ongoing
development and implementation of ISO 14001 and
the implementation of Tembec's internal environmental
management program, "Impact Zero?" Work includes:
customizing action plans for the individual sawmills;
developing action plans (as required at the individual
sawmills) to achieve legal compliance; reviewing
and supporting management system and operational
control procedure implementation at the mills
to ensure that procedures are appropriate and
effective; developing environmental training plans
and identifying requirements for training tools;
communicating with staff and providing training
support as required; customizing emergency plans
for the individual sawmills; and assisting with
the implementation of environmental corrective
action and EMS monitoring and control processes
at the mills. ICF International also is working with
Tembec's pulp mill division to assist in the completion
of an information architecture model of Spruce
Falls (both business and IT) and gap analysis
against this model in order to map out the requirements
of a work management system. The model is being
supported by recommendations for implementation
and the development of a prototype that will immediately
support environmental, health, and safety work
management needs.
EMS and ISO 14000 at Sask
Power
A team of ICF International professionals conducted
a multi-site ISO 14001 gap analysis for SaskPower
using the ICF International ISO 14000 Workstation™
software, and developed recommendations and estimates
to close the gaps between the provisions of the
standard and current client operations. In the
process, we performed a review of all aspects
of power generation, including the corporate support
function, power generation, and transmission and
distribution. ICF International is continuing in
an implementation support role as SaskPower puts
in place an ISO 14001-compatible EMS. Based on
our recommendations, SaskPower has developed an
implementation plan to deploy an ISO 14001-based
EMS in eight different business units. ICF International
has continued to support EMS development and implementation
at all eight of these units, each of which will
be registered to ISO 14001. ICF International is
now providing guidance to SaskPower personnel
during the final stages of EMS implementation
with registration soon to be completed across
all parts of the utility.
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EMS and ISO 14000 at Sunoco
Canada
ICF International conducted an ISO 14001 gap analysis
using the ICF International ISO 14000 Workstation™
software for the Sunoco Sarnia Refinery. We then
developed and presented recommendations and resource
estimates for closing the gaps. Based on our recommendations,
Sunoco made the decision to implement ISO 14001
and seek registration to the standard. ICF International
worked on site closely with Sunoco personnel throughout
the development and implementation of the EMS.
This included providing assistance relative to
all dimensions of the EMS from aspect identification
and procedure development to providing training
and supervising Sunoco's first internal EMS audit.
We also assisted Sunoco in identifying and selecting
a third-party auditor, and helped them through
all phases of the registration process.
Communications Support for
U.S. EPA's Transportation Policy Group
ICF International supports the EPA's Transportation
Policy Group in its goals to reduce vehicle miles
traveled and reduce contaminated stormwater runoff
from highways. Most recently, ICF International has
worked with EPA to launch the new Transportation
Environment Network, an outgrowth of the successful
Transportation Partners Program, which worked
with numerous non-profit environmental and transportation
planning groups to raise awareness about environmentally
sustainable transportation options. After meeting
with the clients to understand their goals and
audiences, ICF International developed a logo for
this new program and drafted a brochure about
the program's structure and activities. ICF International
also designed a resource toolkit for use by government
officials and non-profits in spreading the word
about transportation programs such as parking
cash-out, carpooling, and bike path development.
In addition, ICF International's communications specialists
have worked with EPA and technical experts to
produce a handbook for local officials on how
to obtain funding for stormwater mitigation projects.
In producing this handbook, ICF International took
highly technical information and crafted text
that would be straightforward and easy to read.
We also designed a look for the booklet that would
stand out on a local official's desk and entice
readers.
Full-Cost and Environmental
Accounting Support for U.S. EPA
ICF International is a leader in operationalizing
and facilitating full-cost accounting. ICF International
prepared the Full Cost Accounting Handbook for
Solid Waste Management, which is a detailed guide
to help organizations determine and report their
full costs of solid waste management. ICF International
has presented a series of one-day workshops in
different locations around the country to explore
applications of full-cost accounting with environmental
and financial officials. ICF International also helped
EPA prepare a 40-page primer on environmental
accounting that is being distributed worldwide.
The primer, An Introduction to Environmental Accounting
as a Business Management Tool, covers what environmental
accounting is; why it is used; definitions and
examples of environmental costs; scale and scope
options; private and societal costs; key terms
and concepts; and applications of environmental
accounting to cost accounting, capital budgeting,
and process/product design. The primer has been
distributed widely in Europe, and is being translated
into Japanese.
ISO 14000 and Environmental
Management for Environment Canada
ICF International conducted a cross-Canada series
of workshops for Environment Canada management
that provides information on how to implement
the ISO 14001 environmental management standards
and examines its potential role in regulatory
reform and Greening of Government initiatives.
Topics included: history and background on EMS
and ISO 14000; current status of ISO 14000 in
the marketplace; understanding and implementing
ISO 14001 and 14004; practical issues in implementing
ISO 14010 and 14011; applying ISO 14000 to operations;
keys to managing successful implementation (EMS
in the context of restructuring, managing change,
integrating an EMS with other management systems,
information technology, EMS registration issues);
the role of voluntary programs in regulatory re-invention;
and where to go from here. Program participants
were provided with detailed briefing notes and
reference materials to allow for full participation
and follow up after the training session was completed.
ISO 14001 EMS Gap Analysis
and Conformance Plan for Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation (PennDOT)
For the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT), ICF International conducted a management
systems audit of the environmental compliance
and management function, focusing on conformance
to the ISO 14001 standard and to newly developed
SEM principles and objectives articulated by the
Governor. ICF International conducted several multi-day
audits of agency operations, interviewed key managerial
staff within the agency, reviewed documentation,
and described preliminary findings to managerial
staff in interactive close-out meetings. ICF International
also provided recommendations to the internal
project sponsor regarding the process of environmental
aspect identification, development of a department-wide
EMS, and strategies for making most effective
use of departmental competencies in attaining
conformance to ISO 14001 requirements and achieving
SEM goals. ICF International also prepared a comprehensive
conformance plan that, if implemented, will allow
PennDOT to achieve conformance to the ISO 14001
standard and other departmental goals.
Environmental Analysis of
Intermodal Freight Transport Facility for Federal
Highway Administration
As a subcontractor to KPMG, ICF International collected
and analyzed data on the interaction between the
planning process addressing real, potential, or
perceived environmental impacts, and the ability
of freight intermodal facility development projects
to progress in a timely manner. Among the impacts
of concern were issues of the natural environment,
such as noise, air emissions, and dredge spoils;
and issues of the human environment, such as environmental
justice and historical resources. Not only is
the broader NEPA process being considered, but
also more narrow issues, such as wetlands permitting
or local approvals. This project includes investigating
the differing perspectives of multiple stakeholders
in a complex project environment, and developing
a framework for understanding both the actual
and idealized means by which the planning process
addresses relevant environmental concerns.
Computerized EH&S Management
System Development for Mobil Chemical Company
Films Division
For Mobil Chemical Company's Films Division (MCC-FD),
ICF International developed and performed extensive
revisions to an innovative groupware system for
managing numerous environmental, health, and safety
requirements and expectations. The system is designed
to permit the evaluation of plant EHS performance
against corporate worldwide standards of performance,
which include 56 corporate expectations, the ISO
14001 standard, and the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection
Program (VPP). The system, developed in Lotus
Notes, enables the collection, assessment against
expectations, and department and division level
roll-ups of results, as well as the development
of corrective action plans and creation and storage
of documents and records. Late in 1998, ICF International
was awarded a new project to update and improve
this system to reflect streamlined MCC requirements
and expectations, and to enhance its functionality
and ease of use. The system enhancements were
completed on an expedited basis, and the improved
version is now being used by Films Division EHS
staff worldwide. ICF International also evaluated
MCC-FD's requirements against available guidance
on the OSHA VPP program, and suggested a number
of substantive and wording changes to align the
company's directives and procedures with the OSHA
program requirements.
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