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ronmental quality and strengthen the competitiveness of US technologies interna- 

 tionally. In this case, however, it is felt that using the framework of existing Feder- 

 al programs is more cost effective and strengthens the linkage between R&D and 

 environmental programs. For example, FCCSET has established a new subcommit- 

 tee on the coordination of environmental technology research. 



A Department of the Environment would enable the Nation's environmental 

 agency to maintain a leadership role in environmental technology for a number of 

 reasons: 



1) The environmental technology market is created and shaped by EPA's (and 

 State) regulatory and enforcement programs. EPA is in the best position from a 

 Federal Government perspective to know the environmental technology needs, and 

 to adopt rules and other programs to meet those needs. For example, marketable 

 emissions credits or similar economic instruments can be a major incentive to en- 

 courage use of innovative technologies. 



2) To be adopted, innovative technologies must gain regulatory acceptance by 

 permit writers, on-scene coordinators, and rule developers. EPA involvement in de- 

 velopment and evaluation of the technologies lends credibility to the innovations 

 and enhances a new technology's ultimate acceptability. 



3) EPA is viewed as an objective, honest broker whose reputation can enhance the 

 worldwide acceptance of new technologies. EPA scientists and engineers have sub- 

 stantial experience, and EPA has ^-xisting laborat(iries and testing facilities that 

 would be critical to the success of such a program. 



4) The development and commercialization of environmental technologies require 

 the joint efforts of agencies, such as EPA, DOC, and DOE. The establishment of a 

 new Agency vdth overlapping functions would result in additional complexity and 

 duplication to the hindrance of furthering innovative technology development. 



Q. 27: Our Committee has scheduled a hearing on pollution liabilities and char- 

 acterization problems throughout the Federal government. We are just beginning 

 to learn the magnitude of the unknown universe of problems in every Federal 

 agency. The Department of Interior, for example, has one of the largest environ- 

 mental problems in terms of characterization and likely cost of cleanup in its 

 Bureau of Land Management. The Department of Energy's environmental prob- 

 lems continue and grow in complexity and cost. What is EPA's and the new De- 

 partment's role in helping other Federal agencies identify and begin efforts to re- 

 mediate these problems? 



A. 27: In order to assist Federal agencies in identifying environmental liabilities, 

 and ensure a compliant and effective response to environmental problems, the 

 Office of Federal Facilities Enforcement has begun building the Federal agency/ 

 EPA environmental partnership through a variety of both formal and informal 

 mechanisms. These mechanisms provide Federal agencies with an opportunity to 

 identify high priority environmental needs as well as an opportunity to demonstrate 

 leadership among the regulated community. 



Formal mechanisms include EPA's participation in a Memorandum of Under- 

 standing (MOU) with DOE, DOD and DOI and the Western Governors Association 

 to establish a more cooperative approach to develop technical solutions to environ- 

 mental remediation and waste management problems shared by states, commercial 

 entities, and the Federal Government. The regional approach serves as a demonstra- 

 tion of principles and practices which may be adopted nationally. 



Through informal mechanisms such as the Civilian Federal Agency Task Force, 

 The Experts Work Group, and the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, 

 the Office of Federal Facilities Enforcement is working with Federal agencies in 

 identifying deficiencies in Federal environmental management programs and clean- 

 up efforts and forming workgroups consisting of EPA and Federal agency represent- 

 atives to solve problems and meet high priority needs. In addition, EPA's OFFE con- 

 venes a monthly Federal Facility Policy Roundtable to brief Federal agencies and 

 provide copies of new and imminent regulatory developments or other pertinent ini- 

 tiatives and programs that enhance agency compliance programs (e.g., environmen- 

 tal auditing and pollution prevention). EPA is also partnering with DOD and DOE 

 on joint planning goals and to test innovative approaches to expedite cleanups in- 

 cluding streamlining review of documents, test different decision making models, 

 and test innovative technologies. 



Future initiatives include the "Green Government" program intended to promote 

 voluntary programs to improve environmental compliance through pollution pre- 

 vention and encourage total quality environmental ( 'beyond compliance ) manag^ 

 ment at Federal agencies. The Department of the Environment is the mandated 

 agency to monitor and respond to Federal Agency environmental compliance activi- 

 ties and needs. 



