NAEM Network E-News

September 7, 2005
This week's management quote

“People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.”
Mary Kay Ash (1915-2001) -- Business woman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Events

Keynote speakers at the NAEM EHS Management Forum include the US EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, William Jefferies, the world’s leading expert in creating business cultures of high performance and many of your peers. Register now for NAEM EHS Management Forum! Early Bird Discount is extended until September 9th.

Environmental Management Information System Survey Results

This week’s poll for NAEM members

Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those who have relatives, colleagues and friends in the Gulf Coast region.

With that devastation on our mind, this week’s survey is: How would you rate your Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Plan?

Click here to answer this week’s poll question and to see last week’s results!

The news

Summary

  1. Biggest Health Worry after Katrina is Clean Water
  2. California Climate Action Registry
  3. Book Review: The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility
  4. An Environmental Problem Slipping through the Quacks
  5. Map Your Value Position—Strategy Maps can Reveal how EHS contributes values to the business
  6. If Your Home Utility Bill is Zero, Is It Still a Bill?
  7. Report Suggests Chemical Plant Assessment Based on Likely Outcome of Terrorist Attack
  8. Job Opportunities

Biggest Health Worry after Katrina is Clean Water -- article
A lack of clean water is the most immediate health threat posed by the murky green water flooding Louisiana and Mississippi, health experts warned Wednesday as authorities declared a public health emergency after Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Even apparently clean water is likely to be contaminated, and food will become spoiled and dangerous very soon in the summer heat, officials said. "This afternoon, I've declared a public health emergency for the entire Gulf region." Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told a news conference. "We are gravely concerned about the potential for cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases that can come as a result of the stagnant water and conditions."

California Climate Action Registry -– tool
The California Climate Action Registry (the Registry) was established by California statute as a non-profit voluntary registry for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over 50 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. NAEM Affiliate, First Environment, Inc., has been approved to act as a power generation/electric utility certifier for the California Climate Action Registry and is one of the first firms to receive the Registry’s power/utility certifier designation. As an approved power/utility certifier, First Environment will work with Registry members in the electric power generation, transmission and delivery sectors that are seeking independent, third-party verification of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory.

Book Review--The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility
The Market for Virtue hits like a jolt of strong coffee the morning after a spirit-filled cocktail party: the points made by that jerk you argued with no longer seem so unreasonable, and the attractions of the partygoer you flirted with are now counterbalanced by warts. Author David Vogel similarly sobers the discussion on corporate social responsibility (CSR), validating arguments against CSR and identifying holes in the case for CSR. Prof. Vogel, who teaches at the Haas School of Business, takes neither a pro-CSR nor an anti-CSR stance, but rather advances a clear-eyed perspective on CSR, exposing its attractions as well as its warts.

An Environmental Problem Slipping Through the Quacks –- article
Environmental architect William McDonough made a powerful case for a "new industrial revolution" when he planted a living roof in 2002 atop Ford's sprawling, grime-choked River Rouge truck plant in Dearborn, Mich. The feat of green design is said to have saved the beleaguered carmaker $35 million in environmental cleanup costs. Birds now lay eggs in the flourishing 10-acre blanket of sedum, which cleans runoff naturally. On Wednesday, the visionary from Charlottesville made an even stronger argument for change with a little yellow rubber ducky.

Map Your Value Position- Strategy maps can reveal how EHS contributes values to the business
Environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues present a broad array of risks and benefits for corporations. Developing a strategy to identify the problems and the competitive opportunities is difficult, but an even greater challenge can be conveying the message to busy business executives. In this month’s Manager’s Notebook, we examine a promising new business tool used by the author in real world situations to evaluate and communicate strategic plans.

If Your Home Utility Bill is Zero, Is It Still a Bill? –- article
Cooking with Larry Schlussler at his home in Arcata, Calif., is, if not quite cool, at least incredibly efficient in its use of energy. In the struggle against the rising cost of energy, Mr. Schlussler is way out front. His home is a model of efficiency, and his utility bill is zero. He uses so little energy that the small solar power system on his roof provides more than enough electricity to pay back the utility for the power he uses on cloudy days and cold nights. By comparison, the average American homeowner, according to the Energy Department, spends an average of $1,820 a year on energy. Perfection in energy-efficiency, or anything close, requires a substantial investment of time, expertise and capital, all of which may be out of reach for most Americans. Still, a growing number are taking up the challenge of finding ways to get more out of less.

Report Suggests Chemical Plant Assessment Based on Likely Outcome of Terrorist Attack
Defining a chemical facility as being a high-risk terrorist target by identifying the likely adverse consequences of an attack "may be an effective approach" to developing federal security standards "because of limited federal resources," the Congressional Research Service said in a report released Aug. 23. According to the report, Legislative Approaches to Chemical Facility Security. The report outlined the three ways to identify "high-risk" facilities as possible options Congress may use to determine which facilities pose the most risk to surrounding communities in an attack for possible federal regulation. The report comes as Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jospeh Lieberman (D-Conn.), the chairman and ranking minority member, respectively, of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, are preparing to introduce chemical site security legislation in the fall (29 CRR 744, 08/1/05).

Job Opportunities

Senior Environmental Engineer
Synergy Environmental, Inc., a Reading-based environmental firm is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Senior Environmental Engineer to work from our Conshohocken office (suburb of Philadelphia). Bachelor's degree in a related field as well as 7+ years of experience in Remediation design/construction compliance, regulation (PA ACT 2, NJAC 7:14, 7:26, OSHA, etc.) as well as all aspects of project management, report writing and project development. We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefit/bonus package.
Contact: Brian Fitzpatrick bif@synergyenvinc.com

Regional Environmental Professional
Primary person responsible for environmental management program oversight and compliance at 11 various units. Focuses on development, implementation and maintenance of programs, policies, and procedures that assure the facilities is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and meets the John Deere Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. Candidate aids operating management in attaining the environmental goals and objectives as well as regulatory compliance requirements of the unit/company. Degree in an Engineering/Technology/Science discipline or equivalent experience. Minimum of 4 years experience in Environmental profession in manufacturing environment. Minimum of 4 years experience in a manufacturing operation or manufacturing engineering. Environmental Auditing experience.
If interested please apply via the website www.deere.com (10763 – Regional Environmental Professional)

Regional EHS Manager
Spartech Polycast a leading manufacturer of acrylic sheets is seeking an Engineer or Scientist to manage and implement environmental, health and safety (EHS) programs at our three manufacturing locations in the states of New Jersey and Connecticut. Responsibilities include maintaining an awareness of federal, state and local EHS regulations in order to perform and administer compliance programs at the locations and to promote a positive image with customers, local communities and government agencies. A working knowledge of the production processes must be maintained as well as excellent communication, organization and computer technology skills. At least 6 years of related experience is required. Candidate must possess an overall knowledge of the regulatory requirements, particularly with the Clean Air Act. Chemical knowledge is a plus. Bachelors degree in Engineering or another discipline related to the EHS field. Contact: Submit resume along with salary history to: Spartech Polycast, 69 Southfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. 06902. Electronic information can also be submitted to ramon.colon@spartech.com

Environmental, Health & Safety Manager
Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations regarding safety, health and environmental regulations. Interpret, recommend and implement requirements of environment, health and safety regulations and company policies & procedures. BA/BS + 10 years, or Master + 7 years experience in EHS Management in manufacturing environment, at least 5 years of which must include management responsibility for other employees. 5+ years experience in EHS management in an industrial environment. Strong computer skills are required. Knowledge of OSHA, HAZMAT, Title V, RCRA and other federal standards. Experience in negotiating health and safety issues/programs and permits with regulatory authorities. Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and/of Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification a plus. Multi-plant and 7X24 operation experience is a plus.
Contact: careers@ny.diam-int.com

Have a safe, healthy and environmental week!

Carol Singer Neuvelt

NAEM Executive Director

202-986-6616

Check out our website www.NAEM.org for up-to-date information about NAEM's Forum, EHS management workshops and training seminars!

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