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Regulatory Innovation Pilot Program for
Illinois
Overview
What is the Illinois RIPP?
- Authority
- The Illinois Environmental Protection Act was amended in 1996 by
adding Section
52.3-1,2,3,4 that gives the Agency authority to implement a
voluntary regulatory innovation pilot program (RIPP). The Act also
provides the authority for the Agency to adopt specific regulations for
this program.
- Purpose
- This program creates an opportunity for the Agency to enter into
agreements with persons regulated under the Act to implement "innovative
environmental measures." In this manner, we hope to develop and try out
better ways of achieving environmental protection in Illinois.
- Schedule
- The Agency may enter into initial agreements under this program
until December 31, 2001. Initial agreements may be renewed for 5 year
periods after this date as well.
What does the RIPP cover?
- Extent of agreements
- Environmental Management System Agreements (EMSAs) operate in lieu
of all applicable requirements under Illinois law and regulations that
are identified in these agreements. EMSAs do not have an effect on
applicable federal requirements.
- Potential projects
- The Agency is looking to enter into 20 to 25 agreements over the
next several years. We have an open mind about the types of projects
that sponsors might want to undertake. Some suggestions for projects are
as follows:
- Development and use of an environmental management system (e.g.,
ISO 14000
 ) for a facility.
- Self-permitting for process and equipment modifications.
- Custom reporting and/or recordkeeping.
- Reductions in pollutants and/or wastes beyond applicable
requirements.
- Pollution prevention or product stewardship actions.
- Materials accounting and management.
- Any good, sensible practice that improves environmental
performance.
- Stakeholders
- Project sponsors are expected to work with interested stakeholders
during development and implementation of an EMSA. Many working
arrangements are possible depending on what best fits a specific
project.
How Does the RIPP Work?
- Program regulations
- The Agency has adopted regulations (35
Ill. Adm. Code Part 187) that govern this program. We went ahead
with these regulations so that project sponsors would have more
certainty.
- Program participation
- Project sponsors can become participants in this program by
following four steps:
- Step One - Submit a letter of intent to the Director.
- Step Two - Develop an EMSA in cooperation with the Agency.
- Step Three- Execute the EMSA and document the results.
- Step Four - Renew the EMSA if appropriate.
- To be eligible, participants must be in good standing; that is, not
currently subject to enforcement or have a history of violations.
Participants must not have failed to renew any permit, submit any
required application, or paid any required fee or penalty to the State
as well.
- Termination
- A project sponsor may take action to voluntarily terminate an EMSA.
The Agency may take action to involuntarily terminate an EMSA if serious
problems develop or in accordance with rules adopted by the Pollution
Control Board.
Five Key Points to Remember
- Participation is voluntary for both the sponsor and
the Agency.
- This program is about having opportunities to do
things that make good sense to both project sponsors and the Agency.
- Better environmental performance should be the
expected result.
- We want to promote win/win sort of projects in this
program.
- We want to lay the groundwork for the next
generation of environmental protection in Illinois.
Now that you've read about the program,
view the project
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