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Executive Order 350 Environmental Regulations and Guidance

The Clean State Initiative Clean State History The Clean State Initiative program enacted by Executive Order 350 in 1993 required all state agencies to comply with the Commonwealth's environmental laws and regulations. Clean State is a broad initiative that looks at everything from abandoned underground storage tanks to sewage and septic issues, from public drinking water quality to asbestos and lead abatement, to proper solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. Since the introduction of the Clean State Initiative, State agencies have identified and corrected over 4000 compliance matters. Clean State Accomplishments Since 1993 . . . State agencies have addressed more than 4,000 environmental compliance matters, at a cost in excess of $250 million. Once again, Massachusetts leads the nation with its Clean State Initiative, as no other state is addressing the environmental compliance of its agencies in a more comprehensive manner. Every major state facility has had a multimedia compliance audit by an independent consultant. A fundamental development resulting from the Clean State Initiative is the heightened awareness of environmental issues in the day-to-day operations of state agencies. Most agencies have designated specific staff members to plan for and maintain environmental compliance on a consistent and continuing basis. Nearly two dozen full time environmental managers have been hired. More than 100 polluting septic systems at state parks, highway rest areas and institutions have been repaired or replaced, eliminating up to a million gallons of water pollution per day. Approximately 650 underground storage tanks, containing more than 2 million gallons of gasoline and oil, have been replaced or repaired, reducing the likelihood that local water supplies will be contaminated due to leaky state-owned fuel tanks. Agencies have addressed long-standing violations of hazardous waste management laws at 300 state properties, and have addressed soil and groundwater contamination issues at more than 250 sites where oil and hazardous waste had previously been spilled. Agencies have reduced pollution in low income and minority neighborhoods. An outdated and malfunctioning medical waste incinerator in Jamaica Plain was permanently shut down in 1995, and emission controls added to an incinerator in Chelsea. The South Bay Incinerator in Roxbury, a long-standing eyesore and public safety hazard, has been demolished, clearing the way for new economic development at the site. State facilities have been made safer through the removal and abatement of tons of deteriorating asbestos. For example, two tons of asbestos were removed from the state veteran's home in Chelsea. DEM has removed more than 10 tons of asbestos from state park buildings, rinks and pools. Lead paint has been removed from 10 playgrounds, recreational facilities, and state-owned day care facilities, protecting the children who use the facilities from the dangers associated with lead exposure. Many of the remaining matters are Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), which will be resolved with the cooperation and funding of the federal government. Agencies have reduced wasteful energy and water use. Since 1993, efficiency improvements at state facilities have reduced the state's energy costs by $17 million, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases by more than 165 million tons, and conserved millions of gallons of water. Agencies have developed new recycling programs. Agencies recycle not only paper and aluminum, but also hazardous items such as fluorescent lamps (247,218 lamps in FY99) and electrical and computer equipment containing mercury and lead (553,455 pounds in FY99). Agencies have "closed the recycling loop" by dramatically increasing their purchases of recycled products. Spending on recycled products has increased from $5 million in fiscal year 1992 to more than $43 million in fiscal year 1999. Agencies have become leading users of cutting edge environmental technology. More than 100 electric and alternative fuel vehicles are now in use at state facilities, and agencies are taking advantage of fuel cell technology and solar power.

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Ian A. Bowles, Secretary Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 100 Cambridge, 9th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02114	Phone: (617) 626-1000      FAX: (617) 626-1181