Recognition

One of the benefits offered to facilities participating in VEEP is recognition of their achievements. Many facilities request a recognition ceremony to mark either their acceptance into the program or movement from one level to another. VEEP plaques are available to all facilities and organizations upon request. DEQ offers small flags to E3 and E4 members. E4 facilities also have the option to purchase a large flag with the E4 logo, suitable for flying outdoors, through a private vendor. DEQ highlights recent ceremonies on the VEEP homepage. DEQ also encourages VEEP facilities to apply for recognition through the annual Governor's Environmental Excellence Award program.

Regulatory Incentives

Depending on the VEEP facility-track level, certain regulatory incentives may become available. There are no regulatory benefits associated with participation in the VEEP Sustainability Partners track.

E2, E3 & E4 Facilities

Annual Permit Fee Discounts for Water and Waste Permittees
In 2004, DEQ was directed by the Virginia General Assembly to revise its water and waste permit fee structures to fund the agency's permitting activities. The new permit fee regulations, which include discounts on annual permit fees for facilities participating in VEEP, were adopted and went into effect in 2005. Discounts are dependent on the facility's continued good standing in the program. The specific discounts for VEEP participants included in the regulations are:

  • Solid Waste Management: Participating E2 facilities could receive up to a 10% discount on annual fees; E3 facilities could receive up to a 20% discount. The total of all discounts cannot exceed $140,000 annually.
  • Hazardous Waste Management: Participating E2 facilities could receive up to a 5% discount; E3 facilities could receive up to a 10% discount. The total of all discounts cannot exceed a total of $26,000 annually.
  • Water: Participating E2 facilities could receive up to a 2% discount; E3 facilities could receive up to a five percent discount. The total of all discounts cannot exceed a total of $64,000 annually.

Please read the following for more complete information:

E3 and E4 Facilities

Alternate Compliance Methods: One of the provisions of the law codifying VEEP is the potential for DEQ to grant alternative compliance methods to state regulations.

The facility proposing the ACM must demonstrate that the proposed method will meet the purpose of the applicable regulatory standard through increased reliability, efficiency or cost effectiveness and provide environmental protection equal to or greater than that provided by the applicable regulatory standard. ACMs that would alter ambient air quality standards, ground water protection standards or water quality standards will not be approved. Additionally, ACMs that increase pollutants released to the environment, increase impacts to state waters, or otherwise result in a loss of wetland acreage will not be approved.

In order for DEQ to review requests from facilities for ACMs, it is critical that all information necessary for the agency to evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed alternative approach be submitted. A facility’s submittal should address each section of the request form and explain in detail the proposed ACM, including a demonstration showing how the ACM will meet the intent and be equivalent to or exceed the established standard from which relief is sought. This may require submittal of both documentation and references to demonstrate that the intent is met and to support their claim of equivalence.

DEQ does not develop or make available a list of potential ACMs. It is the responsibility of the requesting facility to demonstrate the intent and equivalency of their proposal is consistent with currently established compliance method.