On January 26, 2000, Commissioner Robert C. Shinn, Jr. formally signed the EPA's Statement of Commitment indicating DEP's willingness to implement the national metal finishing strategic goals program (SGP) in New Jersey. The SGP is one of the first industry-specific programs focused on getting industries and regulators to work in partnership to meet the goals of "cleaner, cheaper, and smarter" environmental protection. This voluntary program encourages metal finishers to meet environmental targets by providing incentives, creating assistance tools, and removing regulatory and policy barriers to accomplishing these goals. Metal finishing is the process of putting a protective or decorative coating on a variety of product components--from plumbing fixtures to computer hardware to aeronautical equipment.

The SGP was developed by a group of stakeholders brought together by EPA, including representatives from the metal finishing industry, state and local governments, including publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), environmental, labor, and public interest groups.

Metal finishing is the process of putting a protective coating on a variety of product components such as these plated screws.

What are the SGP Goals?

The SGP includes commitments from industry to go beyond compliance with baseline environmental standards designed to substantially reduce pollution from their operations. This voluntary program seeks to get participating metal finishing companies to become:

• 90 percent reduction in Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) emissions

• 50 percent reduction in metal emissions to air and water

• 50 percent reduction in hazardous sludge disposal

• substantial reduction in sludge generation

• reduced worker and community exposure

CHEAPER...by saving money and providing economic advantages

• 50 percent reduction in costs of unnecessary reporting, permitting, and monitoring

• Less long-term liability

SMARTER...by conserving resources

• 98 percent metals utilization on products

• 50 percent reduction in water use

• 25 percent reduction in energy use

New Jersey's SGP

Although the Department had recently signed-on to implement the SGP, DEP staff have been working with a group of stakeholders for more than a year to develop and tailor a program specific to New Jersey's needs. The New Jersey Stakeholder group consists of the DEP, EPA, POTWs, metal finishing industries, consultants for metal finishers, and the New Jersey Technical Assistance Program (NJTAP). As a result of this work, the stakeholder group has developed a framework document outlining the New Jersey SGP. This document provides specific information on how the program will be implemented in New Jersey, including the SGP guiding principles, program administration and oversight , the NJ SGP process, and performance ladder and benefits.

On April 10, 2000, the Stakeholders held the a "kick-off" meeting of the SGP in New Jersey at the Middlesex County Utilities Authority. This meeting resulted in nine more metal finishing companies signing-up and committing to achieve the SGP goals. Currently, 17 metal finishing companies in New Jersey have signed-on to the SGP, along with five POTWs. To solicit further interest in the SGP, two more launches will be held. On June 1, 2000, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC) will host a meeting at the Holiday Inn-North in Newark. A third meeting will take place in the near future at the Camden County MUA on a date to be determined.

For further information regarding the New Jersey SGP, contact Jim Murphy of the Bureau of Pretreatment and Residuals at (609) 633-3823. You may also find information on SGP progress, achievements, and issues readily available through the Strategic Goals website at: www.strategicgoals.org.

POTWs signed-up for the Strategic Goals Program:

• Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners

• Middlesex County Utilities Authority

• Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties

• Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority

• Ocean County Utilities Authority

Metal Finishing Companies Committed to Achieving the SGP Goals: