MapCruzin - OPPT NEWSBREAK SPECIAL EDITION, Thursday, 12 January 1995, EPA's 33/50 PROGRAM

OPPT NEWSBREAK SPECIAL EDITION Thursday, 12 January 1995
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EPA's 33/50 PROGRAM

EPA has been experimenting with a new approach to achieving 
environmental goals--"voluntary partnerships" between government, 
industry, and the public.  The 33/50 Program is one of these 
innovative voluntary programs.  It seeks voluntary reductions in 
environmental releases and transfers of 17 pollutants reported in the 

Toxics Release Inventory.  The 33/50 Program derives its name from 
its goals--reductions of 33% in 1992 and 50% in 1995 from a 1988 TRI 
baseline of 1.47 billion pounds of toxic wastes.  Participation in 
the 33/50 Program is both simple and flexible.  As of June 1994, over 

1,200 U.S. manufacturers were participating in the program.

The following announcement is being provided as a courtesy to the 
33/50 Program.

               THE 33/50 PROGRAM - THE NEXT GENERATION

As calendar year 1995 - the 33/50 Program's final year - approaches, 
EPA increasingly is being asked what, if anything, it plans to do as 
a follow-up.  A general consensus has emerged that voluntary 
partnerships between government and industry can be effective in 
promoting pollution prevention.  However, perspectives differ on both 

the need for and the design of a next generation of the 33/50 
Program.  Accordingly, up-front stakeholder buy-in will be critical 
to the success of any voluntary initiative proposed as the next 
generation of the 33/50 Program.  

                          Public Discussion

     Over the coming months, EPA will be spearheading public 
discussion on the prospects for a next generation program.  Our 
objective is to obtain input from industry, environmental groups, 
citizens, states, and other constituencies on two basic questions: 

-    Should there be a next generation of the 33/50 Program? 

-    How should a next generation 33/50 Program be designed? 

     Our decision making process will conclude with a formal 
     announcement in the summer of 1995.  

                        Suggestions Requested

     This document has been prepared to facilitate discussion and 
comment by interested parties.  Some of the major issues to be 
resolved in deciding about a next generation program are outlined 
below.  Anyone interested in offering suggestions or commenting on 
these and other issues related to a next generation voluntary 
environmental protection program is encouraged to write to: 

                      The 33/50 Program (7408) 
               U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 
                          401 M Street, SW 
                       Washington, DC  20460 
               Attention: 33/50 - The Next Generation 

     Comments can also be forwarded via fax at (202) 401-8142, or via 

Internet at [email protected]. Initial comments and suggestions 
are requested by January 31, 1995.  Additional opportunities for 
input will be available as the next generation decision making 
process unfolds in 1995. 


33/50 - The Next Generation:  Decision Making Issues 

-  Should there be a next generation of the 33/50 Program? 

-  What should be the goal(s) and associated measures of a next 
   generation program?  

   -   national program goals? 
   -   individual participants' goals? 

-  What time frames and milestones should be associated with a next 
   generation program? 

-  Who (companies, facilities, government, etc.) should be invited 
   to participate in a next generation program? 

-  Should a next generation program be linked to the Toxics Release 
   Inventory (TRI)? 

-  Should a next generation program focus exclusively on pollution 
   prevention (source reduction), or should environmental 
   improvements achieved through recycling, recovery, treatment, and 
   remediation also be embraced? 

-  What information should be obtained from participants in a next 
   generation program? 

-  Should a next generation program be administered by EPA or by an 
   independent outside organization? 

-  To what extent should a next generation program be integrated 
   into or coordinated with other environmental initiatives? 
               -  other voluntary environmental programs? 
               -  environmental media regulatory programs? 
               -  EPA's Common Sense Initiative? 
               -  State voluntary and regulatory programs?

-  What incentives should be offered to encourage potential 
   participants to join a next generation program? 

-  To what extent should participants make use of previously planned 
   or initiated environmental activities in meeting the goals of a 
   next generation program? 

-  To what extent should technical assistance be provided to 
   participants in achieving the goals of a next generation program?

-  How should participants and their environmental achievements be 
   recognized over the course of a next generation program?

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