State partners with Burlington and 
Gastonia to reduce pollution

RALEIGH –  Two North Carolina cities are among 12 nationwide to become participants in a pilot program aimed at reducing pollution.

Burlington and Gastonia have agreed to participate in an environmental management system (EMS) pilot program coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). These cities are the only local governments in North Carolina to participate in this unique program of environmental protection. Both municipal programs will focus on wastewater treatment plants using an EMS as a management tool to measure their environmental performance.

The EMS program provides a structure to protect the environment through a systems management approach and continuous improvement principles. It also makes environmental management an organization's priority, increases an organization's ability to anticipate and meet its environmental objectives and ensures ongoing compliance with environmental regulations.

"Implementing an EMS could result in energy and water conservation at the plants," said Beth Graves, EMS project coordinator for DENR. "We have theories about improving the environment, so we want to collect data during and after the EMS to see how things change over time."

To help with the implementation of this voluntary 18-month program and to train city staff, DENR will award each municipality a $5,000 grant. DENR also has committed up to eight hours per week to assist with the implementation.

Seven other industries are working with DENR to implement an EMS. These industries are Honda Power Equipment, Swepsonville; Powerware Corp., formerly Exide Electronics, Raleigh; Lufkin/Cooper Tools, Apex; Konica Manufacturing USA Inc., Whitset; and Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, Jacksonville; Duke Power, Salisbury; and Novo Nordisk Biochem North America, Franklinton. North Carolina is one of 12 states conducting pilot programs.

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