ESI Partner Level

Criteria

To become an Environmental Partner, an organization must meet the following criteria:

Not be under any environmental criminal indictment or conviction. DENR's Internal Workgroup reviews and retains the right to reject an applicant following a compliance review;
Demonstrate commitment to compliance;
Set environmental performance goals that include pollution prevention and are appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impact of the organization;
Commit to implementing and reporting on at least one measurable green project annually that is appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impact of the organization; and
Agree to report annually on progress toward the organization’s environmental performance goals, reductions in environmental emissions or discharges of releases, solid and hazardous waste disposal, use of energy and water and any reportable non-compliance events.

DENR's Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance will assist small businesses and local government agencies with program application development.

Environmental Partners will be eligible for the following:

Technical assistance on developing a certified EMS or ESI Stewardship Plan, pollution prevention and "green" approaches, energy and water conservation, environmental management and treatment technologies, and achieving and maintaining compliance with local, state and federal regulations;
Specialized training;
Networking opportunities;
Access to Environmental Stewardship mentors;
Recognition of program participation;
Coverage by U.S. EPA and DENR self-reporting policies;
Single point of contact within DENR; and
Other benefits as deemed appropriate by the Secretary based on recommendations from the Advisory Board.