EXECUTIVE
ORDER
EO 13148
Effective Date: April 21, 2000

Responsible Office: Office of Management Systems
Subject: Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11001-11050) (EPCRA), the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13101-13109) (PPA), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.. 7401-7671q) (CAA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

PART 1-PREAMBLE

Section 101. Federal Environmental Leadership. The head of each Federal agency is responsible for ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to integrate environmental accountability into agency day-to-day decision making and long-term planning processes, across all agency missions, activities, and functions. Consequently, environmental management considerations must be a fundamental and integral component of Federal Government policies, operations, planning, and management. The head of each Federal agency is responsible for meeting the goals and requirements of this order.

PART 2-GOALS

Sec. 201. Environmental Management. Through development and implementation of environmental management systems, each agency shall ensure that strategies are established to support environmental leadership programs, policies, and procedures and that agency senior level managers explicitly and actively endorse these strategies.

Sec. 202. Environmental Compliance. Each agency shall comply with environmental regulations by establishing and implementing environmental compliance audit programs and policies that emphasize pollution prevention as a means to both achieve and maintain environmental compliance.

Sec. 203. Right-to-Know and Pollution Prevention. Through timely planning and reporting under the EPCRA, Federal facilities shall be leaders and responsible members of their communities by informing the public and their workers of possible sources of pollution resulting from facility operations. Each agency shall strive to reduce or eliminate harm to human health and the environment from releases of pollutants to the environment. Each agency shall advance the national policy that, whenever feasible and cost-effective, pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source. Funding for regulatory compliance programs shall emphasize pollution prevention as a means to address environmental compliance.

Sec. 204. Release Reduction: Toxic Chemicals. Through innovative pollution prevention, effective facility management, and sound acquisition and procurement practices, each agency shall reduce its reported Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) releases and off-site transfers of toxic chemicals for treatment and disposal by 10 percent annually, or by 40 percent overall by December 31, 2006.

Sec. 205. Use Reduction: Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Substances and Other Pollutants. Through identification of proven substitutes and established facility management practices, including pollution prevention, each agency shall reduce its use of selected toxic chemicals, hazardous substances, and pollutants, or its generation of hazardous and radioactive waste types at its facilities by 50 percent by December 31, 2006. If an agency is unable to reduce the use of selected chemicals, that agency will reduce the use of selected hazardous substances or its generation of other pollutants, such as hazardous and radioactive waste types, at its facilities by 50 percent by December 31, 2006.

Sec. 206. Reductions in Ozone-Depleting Substances. Through evaluating present and future uses of ozone-depleting substances and maximizing the purchase and the use of safe, cost effective, and environmentally preferable alternatives, each agency shall develop a plan to phase out the procurement of Class I ozone-depleting substances for all nonexcepted uses by December 31, 2010.

Sec. 207. Environmentally and Economically Beneficial Landscaping. Each agency shall strive to promote the sustainable management of Federal facility lands through the implementation of cost-effective, environmentally sound landscaping practices, and programs to reduce adverse impacts to the natural environment.

PART 3-PLANNING AND ACCOUNTING

Sec. 301. Annual Budget Submission. Federal agencies shall place high priority on obtaining funding and resources needed for implementation of the Greening the Government Executive Orders, including funding to address findings and recommendations from environmental management system audits or facility compliance audits conducted under sections 401 and 402 of this order. Federal agencies shall make such requests as required in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11.

Sec. 302. Application of Life Cycle Assessment Concepts. Each agency with facilities shall establish a pilot program to apply life cycle assessment and environmental cost accounting principles. To the maximum extent feasible and cost-effective, agencies shall apply those principles elsewhere in the agency to meet the goals and requirements of this order. Such analysis shall be considered in the process established in the OMB Capital Program Guide and OMB Circular A-11. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the Workgroup established in section 306 of this order, shall, to the extent feasible, assist agencies in identifying, applying, and developing tools that reflect life cycle assessment and environmental cost accounting principles and provide technical assistance to agencies in developing life cycle assessments and environmental cost accounting assessments under this Part.

Sec. 303. Pollution Prevention to Address Compliance. Each agency shall ensure that its environmental regulatory compliance funding policies promote the use of pollution prevention to achieve and maintain environmental compliance at the agency's facilities. Agencies shall adopt a policy to preferentially use pollution prevention projects and activities to correct and prevent noncompliance with environmental regulatory requirements. Agency funding requests for facility compliance with Federal, State, and local environmental regulatory requirements shall emphasize pollution prevention through source reduction as the means of first choice to ensure compliance, with reuse and recycling alternatives having second priority as a means of compliance.

Sec. 304. Pollution Prevention Return-on-Investment Programs. Each agency shall develop and implement a pollution prevention program at its facilities that compares the life cycle costs of treatment and/or disposal of waste and pollutant streams to the life cycle costs of alternatives that eliminate or reduce toxic chemicals or pollutants at the source. Each agency shall implement those projects that are life-cycle cost-effective, or otherwise offer substantial environmental or economic benefits.

Sec. 305. Policies, Strategies, and Plans.
(a) Within 12 months of the date of this order, each agency shall ensure that the goals and requirements of this order are incorporated into existing agency environmental directives, policies, and documents affected by the requirements and goals of this order. Where such directives and policies do not already exist, each agency shall, within 12 months of the date of this order, prepare and endorse a written agency environmental management strategy to achieve the requirements and goals of this order. Agency preparation of directives, policies, and documents shall reflect the nature, scale, and environmental impacts of the agency's activities, products, or services. Agencies are encouraged to include elements of relevant agency policies or strategies developed under this part in agency planning documents prepared under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, Public Law 103-62.

(b) By March 31, 2002, each agency shall ensure that its facilities develop a written plan that sets forth the facility's contribution to the goals and requirements established in this order. The plan should reflect the size and complexity of the facility. Where pollution prevention plans or other formal environmental planning instruments have been prepared for agency facilities, an agency may elect to update those plans to meet the requirements and goals of this section.

(c) The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council shall develop acquisition policies and procedures for contractors to supply agencies with all information necessary for compliance with this order. Once the appropriate FAR clauses have been published, agencies, shall use them in all applicable contracts. In addition, to the extent that compliance with this order is made more difficult due to lack of information from existing contractors, or concessioners, each agency shall take practical steps to obtain the information needed to comply with this order from such contractors or concessioners.

Sec. 306. Interagency Environmental Leadership Workgroup. Within 4 months of the date of this order, EPA shall convene and chair an Interagency Environmental Leadership Workgroup (the Workgroup) with senior-level representatives from all executive agencies and other interested independent Government agencies affected by this order. The Workgroup shall develop policies and guidance required by this order and member agencies shall facilitate implementation of the requirements of this order in their respective agencies. Workgroup members shall coordinate with their Agency Environmental Executive (AEE) designated under section 301(d) of Executive Order 13101 and may request the assistance of their AEE in resolving issues that may arise among members in developing policies and guidance related to this order. If the AEEs are unable to resolve the issues, they may request the assistance of the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

Sec. 307. Annual Reports. Each agency shall submit an annual progress report to the Administrator on implementation of this order. The reports shall include a description of the progress that the agency has made in complying with all aspects of this order, including, but not limited to, progress in achieving the reduction goals in section 502, 503, and 505 of this order. Each agency may prepare and submit the annual report in electronic format. A copy of the report shall be submitted to the Federal Environmental Executive (FEE) by EPA for use in the biennial Greening the Government Report to the President prepared in accordance with Executive Order 13101. Within 9 months of the date of this order, EPA, in coordination with the Workgroup established under section 306 of this order, shall prepare guidance regarding the information and timing for the annual report. The Workgroup shall coordinate with those agencies responsible for Federal agency reporting guidance under the Greening the Government Executive orders to streamline reporting requirements and reduce agency and facility-level reporting burdens. The first annual report shall cover calendar year 2000 activities.

PART 4-PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Sec. 401. Agency and Facility Environmental Management Systems. To attain the goals of section 201 of this order:

(a) Within 18 months of the date of this order, each agency shall conduct an agency-level environmental management system self assessment based on the Code of Environmental Management Principles for Federal Agencies developed by the EPA (61 Fed. Reg. 54062) and/or another appropriate environmental management system framework. Each assessment shall include a review of agency environmental leadership goals, objectives, and targets. Where appropriate, the assessments may be conducted at the service, bureau, or other comparable level.

(b) Within 24 months of the date of this order, each agency shall implement environmental management systems through pilot projects at selected agency facilities based on the Code of Environmental Management Principles for Federal Agencies and/or another appropriate environmental management system framework. By December 31, 2005, each agency shall implement an environmental management system at all appropriate agency facilities based on-facility size, complexity, and the environmental aspects of facility operations. The facility environmental management system shall include measurable environmental goals, objectives, and targets that are reviewed and updated annually. Once established, environmental management system performance measures shall be incorporated in agency facility audit protocols.

Sec. 402. Facility Compliance Audits. To attain the goals of section 202 of this order:

(a) Within 12 months of the date of this order, each agency that does not have an established regulatory environmental compliance audit program shall develop and implement a program to conduct facility environmental compliance audits and begin auditing at its facilities within 6 months of the development of that program.

(b) An agency with an established regulatory environmental compliance audit program may elect to conduct environmental management system audits in lieu of regulatory environmental compliance audits at selected facilities.

(c) Facility environmental audits shall be conducted periodically. Each agency is encouraged to conduct audits not less than every 3 years from the date of the initial or previous audit. The scope and frequency of audits shall be based on facility size, complexity, and the environmental aspects of facility operations. As appropriate, each agency shall include tenant, contractor, and concessioner activities in facility audits.

(d) Each agency shall conduct internal reviews and audits and shall take such other steps, as may be necessary, to monitor its facilities' compliance with sections 501 and 504 of this order.

(e) Each agency shall consider findings from the assessments or audits conducted under Part 4 in program planning under section 301 of this order and in the preparation and revisions to facility plans prepared under section 305 of this order.

(f) Upon request and to the extent practicable, the EPA shall provide technical assistance in meeting the requirements of Part 4 by conducting environmental management reviews at Federal facilities and developing policies and guidance for conducting environmental compliance audits and implementing environmental management systems at Federal facilities.

Sec. 403. Environmental Leadership and Agency Awards Programs.
(a) Within 12 months of the date of this order, the Administrator shall establish a Federal Government environmental leadership program to promote and recognize outstanding environmental management performance in agencies and facilities.

(b) Each agency shall develop an internal agency-wide awards program to reward and highlight innovative programs and individuals showing outstanding environmental leadership in implementing this order. In addition, based upon criteria developed by the EPA in coordination with the Workgroup established in section 306 of this order, Federal employees who demonstrate outstanding leadership in implementation of this order may be considered for recognition under the White House awards program set forth in section 803 of Executive Order 13101 of September 14, 1998.

Sec. 404. Management Leadership and Performance Evaluations.
(a) To ensure awareness of and support for the environmental requirements of this order, each agency shall include training on the provisions of the Greening the Government Executive orders in standard senior level management training as well as training for program managers, contracting personnel, procurement and acquisition personnel, facility managers, contractors, concessioners, and other personnel as appropriate. In coordination with the Workgroup established under section 306 of this order, the EPA shall prepare guidance on implementation of this section.

(b) To recognize and reinforce the responsibilities of facility and senior headquarters program managers, regional environmental coordinators and officers, their superiors, and, to the extent practicable and appropriate, others vital to the implementation of this order, each agency shall include successful implementation of pollution prevention, community awareness, and environmental management into its position descriptions and performance evaluations for those positions.

Sec. 405. Compliance Assistance.
(a) Upon request and to the extent practicable, the EPA shall provide technical advice and assistance to agencies to foster full compliance with environmental regulations and all aspects of this order.

(b) Within 12 months of the date of this order, the EPA shall develop a compliance assistance center to provide technical assistance for Federal facility compliance with environmental regulations and all aspects of this order.

(c) To enhance landscaping options and awareness, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall, provide information on the suitability; propagation, and the use of native plants for landscaping to all agencies and the general public by USDA in conjunction with the center under subsection (b) of this section. In implementing Part 6 of this order, agencies are encouraged to develop model demonstration programs in coordination with the USDA.

Sec. 406. Compliance Assurance.

(a) In consultation with other agencies, the EPA may conduct such reviews and inspections as may be necessary to monitor compliance with sections 501 and 504 of this order. Each agency is encouraged to cooperate fully with the efforts of the EPA to ensure compliance with those sections.

(b) Whenever the Administrator notifies an agency that it is not in compliance with section 501 or 504 of this order, the agency shall provide the EPA a detailed plan for achieving compliance as promptly as practicable.

(c) The Administrator shall report annually to the President and the public on agency compliance with the provisions of sections 501 and 504 of this order.

Sec. 407. Improving Environmental Management. To ensure that government-wide goals for pollution prevention are advanced, each agency is encouraged to incorporate its environmental leadership goals into its Strategic and Annual Performance Plans required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, Public Law 103-62, starting with performance plans accompanying the FY 2002 budget.

PART 5-EMERGENCY PLANNING, COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW, AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

Sec. 501. Toxics Release Inventory/Pollution Prevention Act Reporting. To attain the goals of section 203 of this order:

(a) Each agency shall comply with the provisions set forth in section 313 of EPCRA, section 6607 of PPA, all implementing regulations, and future amendments to these authorities, in light of applicable EPA guidance;

(b) Each agency shall comply with these provisions without regard to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) or North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) delineations. Except as described in subsection (d) of this section, all other existing statutory or regulatory limitations or exemptions on the application of EPCRA section 313 to specific activities at specific agency facilities apply to the reporting requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Each agency required to report under subsection (a) of this section shall do so using electronic reporting as provided in EPA's EPCRA section 313 guidance.

(d) Within 12 months of the date of this order, the Administrator shall review the impact on reporting of existing regulatory exemptions on the application of EPCRA section 313 at Federal facilities. Where feasible, this review shall include pilot studies at Federal facilities. If the review indicates that application of existing exemptions to Federal Government reporting under this section precludes public reporting of substantial amounts of toxic chemicals under subsection 501(a), the EPA shall prepare guidance, in coordination with the Workgroup established under section 306 of this order, clarifying application of the exemptions at Federal facilities. In developing the guidance, the EPA should consider similar application of such regulatory limitations and exemptions by the private sector. To the extent feasible, the guidance developed by the EPA shall be consistent with the reasonable application of such regulatory limitations and exemptions in the private sector. The guidance shall ensure reporting consistent with the goal of public access to information under section 313 of EPCRA and section 6607 of PPA. The guidance shall be submitted to the AEEs established under section 301(d) of Executive Order 13101 for review and endorsement. Each agency shall apply any guidance to reporting at its facilities as soon as practicable but no later than for reporting for the next calendar year following release of the guidance.

(e) The EPA shall coordinate with other interested Federal agencies to carry out pilot projects to collect and disseminate information about the release and other waste management of chemicals associated with the environmental response and restoration at their facilities and sites. The pilot projects will focus on releases and other waste management of chemicals associated with environmental response and restoration at facilities and sites where the activities generating wastes do not otherwise meet EPCRA section 313 thresholds for manufacture, process, or other use. Each agency is encouraged to identify applicable facilities and voluntarily report under subsection (a) of this section the releases and other waste management of toxic chemicals managed during environmental response and restoration, regardless of whether the facility otherwise would report under subsection (a). The releases and other waste management of chemicals associated with environmental response and restoration voluntarily reported under this subsection will not be included in the accounting established under sections 503(a) and (c) of this order.

Sec. 502. Release Reduction: Toxic Chemicals. To attain the goals of section 204 of this order:

(a) Beginning with reporting for calendar year 2001 activities, each agency reporting under section 501 of this order shall adopt a goal of reducing, where cost effective, the agency's total releases of toxic chemicals to the environment and off-site transfers of such chemicals for treatment and disposal by at least 10 percent annually, or by 40 percent overall by December 31, 2006. Beginning with activities for calendar year 2001, the baseline for measuring progress in meeting the reduction goal will be the aggregate of all such releases and off-site transfers of such chemicals for treatment and disposal as reported by all of the agency's facilities under section 501 of this order. The list of toxic chemicals applicable to this goal is the EPCRA section 313 list as of December 1, 2000. If an agency achieves the 40 percent reduction goal prior to December 31, 2006, that agency shall establish a new baseline and reduction goal based on agency priorities.

(b) Where an agency is unable to pursue the reduction goal established in subsection (a) for certain chemicals that are mission critical and/or needed to protect human health and the environment or where agency off-site transfer of toxic chemicals for treatment is directly associated with environmental restoration activities, that agency may request a waiver from the EPA for all or part of the requirement in subsection (a) of this section. As appropriate, waiver requests must provide: (1) an explanation of the mission critical use of the chemical; (2) an explanation of the nature of the need for the chemical to protect human health; (3) a description of efforts to identify a less harmful substitute chemical or alternative processes to reduce the release and transfer of the chemical in question; and (4) a description of the off-site transfers of toxic chemicals for treatment directly associated with environmental restoration activities. The EPA shall respond to the waiver request within 90 days and may grant such a waiver for no longer than 2 years. An agency may resubmit a request for waiver at the end of that period. The waiver under this section shall not alter requirements to report under section 501 of this order.

(c) Where a specific component (e.g., bureau, service, or command) within an agency achieves a 75 percent reduction in its 1999 reporting year publicly reported total releases of toxic chemicals to the environment and off-site transfers of such chemicals for treatment and disposal, based on the 1994 baseline established in Executive Order 12856, that agency may independently elect to establish a reduction goal for that component lower than the 40 percent target established in subsection (a) of this section. The agency shall formally notify the Workgroup established in section 306 of this order of the elected reduction target.

Sec. 503. Use Reduction: Toxic Chemicals. Hazardous Substances, and Other Pollutants. To attain the goals of section 205 of this order:

(a) Within 18 months of the date of this order, each agency with facilities shall develop and support goals to reduce the use at such agencies' facilities of the priority chemicals on the list under subsection (b) of this section for identified applications and purposes, or alternative chemicals and pollutants the agency identifies under subsection (c) of this section, by at least 50 percent by December 31, 2006.

(b) Within 9 months of the date of this order the Administrator, in coordination with the Workgroup established in section 306 of this order, shall develop a list of not less than 15 priority chemicals used by the Federal Government that may result in significant harm to human health or the environment and that have known, readily available, less harmful substitutes for identified applications and purposes. In addition to identifying the applications and purposes to which such reductions apply, the Administrator, in coordination, with the Workgroup shall identify a usage threshold below which this section shall not apply. The chemicals will be selected from listed EPCRA section 313 toxic chemicals and, where appropriate, other regulated hazardous substances or pollutants. In developing the list, the Administrator, in coordination with the Workgroup shall consider: (1). environmental factors including, toxicity, persistence, and bio-accumulation; (2) availability of known, less environmentally harmful substitute chemicals that can be used in place of the priority chemical for identified applicati


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