Environmental Assistance at its Best “Using the Carrot – Incentivizing Compliance and P2” Sacramento County’s B usiness E nvironmental R esource C enter …where Government fosters Environmental Quality and the Economic Success of Businesses!

What Does BERC Do? Technical and Regulatory Assistance Ombudsman Services Outreach and Education

The BERC model Non-regulatory environmental compliance assistance for business and government No-cost services Confidential help line and on-site consultations Educational workshops Environmental recognition programs including: Annual Pollution Prevention Awards and a Sacramento Area Green Business Certification Program Promoting business success and enhancing environmental quality by providing a free technical resource center on behalf of local government What BERC offers BERC’s mission

BERC HQ Mather, CA

BERC Funding Partners County Dept. of Water Resources City of Sacramento Utilities Dept. EPA Cal/EPA CIWMB CUPA Haz Mat Electric Utility Air Quality Management District County Dept. of Water Quality County Dept. of Solid Waste County Dept. of Building/ Planning

Why ? (or How to Incentive) BERC’s underlying goals create a focus on helping businesses with regulations –Assume the best (not guilty before innocent) –Deal with respect –Realize the bigger picture (Econ Dev) –Can’t regulate business without business –What may seem to be recalcitrant is often fear and lack of understanding –The hammer is not the first tool

BERC Connections BERC Sacramento Metro Chamber Sacramento Trade Organization UniversityBusiness Licensing County Economic Development SBO/SBAP SBDC, SBA, BICs Community Service Districts

BERC Goals Assist businesses in adopting cost-effective compliance strategies Find equitable solutions to regulatory challenges Provide education and outreach Promote economic development Serve as advocates for agencies and clients

Helpline, agency referral, industry peers, publications, advertising & presentations Confidential consultation and site visits Client Assistance

–Determine outcomes –Client satisfaction survey –Gather compliance metrics –Future outreach opportunities Client Follow-up

Mediation to resolve complaints & disagreements Facilitation to find equitable solutions Strive for win/win outcomes Ombudsman Role

Education & Outreach Industry-specific mailings Industry-specific technical guidance documents Media-specific training seminars and workshops

Informing the Public

Economic Development Expedited permit processing Response teams Incentives Troubleshooting Goal: To attract, expand, and retain businesses Promote a positive business climate

Foster dialogue between business and agencies Review and comment on proposed regulations Propose compliance alternatives Keep businesses ahead of the curve through outreach Advocacy Role

Programs used to Incentivize Business There are numerous ways to incentivize business to become compliant… and go beyond! –Pollution Prevention Awards –Green Business Program

Pollution Prevention Awards Honors environmental performance above and beyond compliance Recognizes award recipients as leaders who serve as a positive role models 13 years of continuous awards program Key Attributes: Multi-media Ad Campaign Award Ceremony Workshops

P2 Awards Selection Decided by committee of local regulatory and utility agencies Typically 35+ nominations from business and local agencies Selection process leads to 10 awards Company’s selected based on largest environmental gains overall

P2 Recognition Provide free media coverage/outreach and advertising for winners Conduct awards ceremony with local celebrities and political leaders

Outreach and Education Increased Compliance P2 Excellence Beyond Compliance

Green Business Program Sacramento Area Green Business Program –certifies & promotes businesses –open to all businesses Benefits –free advertising/promotion –cost savings through energy, water and waste reduction

4 Main GB Criteria: Pollution Prevention Solid Waste Reduction Water Conservation Energy Efficiency

Projected GB Benefits Recycled: 65,000 lbs. of solid waste 33,000 lbs. of haz waste Conserved: 85,650 gals. of water 86,000 KWH of electricity In 2005 eight GBs in Sacramento:

Projected GB Growth Budget - $75 K from partner agencies Expected Growth – Plan to add 15 new businesses by end of 2006 Expected to increase by 125% per year with stable funding

For more information contact: Robert White Division Director at