Sustainability and Environmental Excellence Program ("SEE Change") in West Virginia

For nearly 15 years, Federal and state governments have sought to encourage businesses to voluntarily undertake "beyond compliance" and other environmental excellence initiatives. Efforts began with the Common Sense Initiative sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Most recently, USEPA's Performance Track program provided a structure for companies to benchmark and mark progress to environmental goals that exceeded the letter and spirit of Federal and state laws. USEPA terminated Performance Track in March and West Virginia DEP's own state-sponsored program ended in June, leaving a policy void. "Beyond compliance" programs can only progress if embraced by the public, private, and non-government organization sectors, and requires support from each.

In June 2009, Plexus LI was awarded a contract by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) to further a culture for sustainability and environmental excellence in the public and private sectors. PLI conducted a structured outreach and education program, including capacity building and leadership development, where leaders in each constituency were sought and their opinions for program structure and design solicited. As critical facets of the program emerged, they were marketed to a broader leadership base. As support grew, they became central discussion points in a collaborative dialogue designed and guided by PLI's Senior Facilitator and Vice President for Sustainability Programs, Adam Saslow. PLI created an environment for the development of a cutting edge program for West Virginia, where progressive entities can be rewarded for reducing their environmental footprint and moving beyond what is required by Federal and state government.

PLI facilitated dialogue among nearly 30 participants in several workshops and conference calls. Adam drafted statutory language for the new Sustainability and Environmental Excellence Program ("SEE Change"). This statute will be introduced and likely passed by the state legislature this winter. Rulemaking will proceed immediately thereafter and address incentives to be offered to military installations, local governments, and/or private sector entities that achieve superior environmental performance, provide economic development opportunities within a region, or improve the social fabric in a community. PLI is expected to be involved in SEE Change through the implementation phases of this effort.