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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 03 - Office of Communications and Government Relations
1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone 215/814-5100 Fax 215/814-5102
EPA Environmental News
Contact: Ruth Wuenschel, 215-814-5540
August 11, 2000
Survey Shows Colleges and Universities
Learning to Comply with Environmental Laws
PHILADELPHIA - According to a follow-up survey of colleges and universities, EPA's environmental outreach efforts have been extremely successful.
Of the participants contacted in the random and anonymous survey, 95 percent said they were aware of EPA's effort in the Mid-Atlantic region to promote awareness and compliance of environmental regulations. And, 50 percent of the schools contacted have either already made, or are planning to make, changes to increase compliance with environmental regulations.
The survey, funded by an EPA National Network for Environmental Studies grant, also indicated that 49 percent of the schools have added to their staffs environmental compliance positions, and another 24 percent have formed a campus environmental committee.
Because of the EPA's initiative, 39 percent said they have reduced their hazardous waste generation; 34 percent have reduced their use of toxic materials; and 31 percent have reduced their overall energy usage.
The full results can be accessed on EPA Mid-Atlantic Region's college and university website at www.epa.gov/region03/oecej by clicking on compliance assistance.
In May 1999, EPA began an initiative in the mid-Atlantic region to promote awareness and compliance of environmental regulations among colleges and universities. Environmental problems at some colleges and universities include improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste materials; boilers and furnaces that are not in compliance with clean air regulations; inadequate monitoring of underground storage tanks; sewage treatment facilities that are not operating properly; and improper abatement of lead-based paint and asbestos.
Since then, EPA has conducted three compliance workshops - two hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and one hosted by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The EPA Mid-Atlantic Region office also created a web page for colleges and universities at www.epa.gov/region03/compliance_assistance/colleges.htm, has held several meetings with higher education organizations around the country, and has authored articles for their publications.
The survey, conducted under a fellowship to University of Pennsylvania graduate student Kirsten Hall has generated interest and concern among the participants and many have contacted EPA about further compliance assistance information.
EPA plans to conduct a separate mail survey to college presidents later this year to determine what leadership actions they might have taken to improve the environmental performance on their campuses.
For additional information or to obtain EPA speakers for a college workshop, contact Catherine King at 215-814-2657.
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