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EPA Administrator Carol Browner: Committed to the Industry & to Building a New Generation Of Environmental Protection PA Administrator Carol new in this country—EPA will cel- would overcome the deficiencies of the Browner was the keynote ebrate its 25th anniversary later this current system, and that would be equal Espeaker at the 16th AESF/EPA year—the Agency has created, virtually to the challenges of the future. Pollution Prevention and Control from scratch, the most advanced system The challenge that we all face, she Conference, which was held in Orlando of environmental protection in the continued, is to protect the health of the during COMPLIANCE WEEK. Her world. “Tremendous progress has been people of this country, the health of our presence there, as well as her continuing made,” she said, “in that we no longer communities, and the health of our leadership in the Common Sense have rivers that catch on fire; our skies economy. “We must protect our air, our Initiative, represents a milestone in the are certainly cleaner, and the expertise water, and our land—those things we long environmental journey that this and technology developed in this all share—through common sense, cost- industry began in the 1970s. EPA country is in demand around the effective measures that produce the very Assistant Administrator David M. world.” She expressed concern, best environmental results for the least Gardiner, who spoke at last year’s however, that the past 25 years have cost.” To accomplish this, she empha- Conference and is coordinating the CSI also created a somewhat complex and sized, it is necessary to move beyond effort involving our industry, was also unwieldy system of laws and regula- the “one size fits all” approach of the present in the audience. Together they tions. Browner assumed leadership of past, and to work industry-by-industry, renewed their commitment that the EPA the EPA with the belief that a funda- community-by-community. By will work closely with the electroplating mentally new system of environmental involving those who live with the and metal finishing industry. protection was needed—one that would decisions, and ensuring that they are Administrator Browner addressed build on the strengths of the past, that partners in making decisons, we build a the standing-room-only crowd of more than 600 industry leaders and profes- The Honorable Carol M. Browner sionals, commending their commitment Administrator, U.S. EPA • Washington, DC to environmental protection as “a model for many other industries.” She also Carol Browner was appointed by President Clinton in January 1993. Her top commented that, while touring the priority at the EPA has been pollution prevention, and she hopes to inspire Exhibit Hall, she was impressed with Americans to participate with pride in protecting the environment. the advances that have been made Ms. Browner knows environmental policy not only from the Washington within this industry and by the hard perspective, but also from the state viewpoint. She came to the EPA after work that is under way to produce high- serving as Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation quality products in the safest and most (now the Department of Environmental Protection) from 1991 to 1993. Her efficient manner. accomplishments in Florida were many—she was often praised for her ability to work with businesses and communities to reach the state’s goal of A New Generation protecting the environment, especially with regard to the protection of Of Environmental Protection wetlands. From 1986 to 1988 she worked for Senator Lawton Chiles, now Browner told the audience that EPA is Governor of Florida. She later served as legislative director for then-Senator concentrating its efforts on building a Al Gore, Jr., helping to draft amendments to the Clean Air Act. Her previ- new generation of environmental ous experience includes serving as general counsel for the Florida House of protection—a new generation that can Representatives Government Operations Committee in 1980, and working meet the challenges of the future. She for Citizen Action, a grassroots consumer group in Washington, DC. noted that, although the history of Browner grew up in South Florida and is a graduate of the University of environmental protection is relatively Florida, where she also earned her law degree. 10 PLATING & SURFACE FINISHING The Administrator expressed concern, however, with what is happening in Congress today by those who seek to roll back EPA’s hard-won public health protections. According to Browner, the fine print of the “Contract with America” (which has gone to the House floor for approval) would undermine virtually every public health and environmental protection that each of us count on in our work, our commu- nities, and our lives. She stressed that the American people would not want EPA to rely on simplistic mathematical formulae in determining public health protections, or to be prevented from setting standards for drinking water that comes from our taps, based on inci- dence of disease. Setting standards, she continued, is what the American people EPA Administrator Carol Browner is pictured here with members of the Government Advisory want EPA to do; that is what they Committee, who are very involved with CSI. They include, from left to right (front row): David Marsh, past president of NAMF; Ted Witt, CEF, AESF executive director; Administrator Browner; and Bill expect EPA to do, and it is what EPA Bonivert, AESF president. Back row; William Sonntag, NAMF/AESF director of Government Relations; should be doing. Browner informed the Bill Saas, MFSA’s liaison to the committee; and B.J. Mason, AESF immediate past president. audience that there are 23 new judi- consensus for real solutions that work to do this job, Browner believes we will cially reviewable components the for real people in real communities. learn how to do things cleaner, for the Contract with America would create, in Under Browner’s leadership, EPA is environment; cheaper, for the taxpayer addition to the “layers of lawyers” changing how it does business—by and industry; and smarter, for the future involved with the review. At the very incorporating the principles of common of this country. time that we are moving away from a sense, cost-effectiveness, flexibility and Browner informed the audience that “one-size-fits-all” approach to environ- consensus. The Common Sense EPA will soon be proposing a rule that mental protection, we should not be Initiative goes beyond the pollutant-by- will affect many in the industry—the creating another rigid, bureaucratic pollutant, crisis-by-crisis approach of Metal Products and Machinery rule. system, she stated. the past, and adopts an industry-by- Through discussions within the CSI, she industry approach for the future. continued, the industry will have the What It Means to the Industry Six industries were initially selected ability to affect the final rule, to make it Browner contends that the contract to be a part of CSI, one of which is the cleaner, cheaper and smarter—an language of this legislation will mean metal finishing industry. Browner told opportunity that had not previously that those in the industry who were the audience that the selection “is a been afforded. “We are changing at responsible, who thought about how recognition of the commitment and the EPA,” Browner reiterated, “and we better to do the job for the people who work your industry has already done, look forward to continuing our work live in the communities, will now find and the work we have been able to do with you.” that those who didn’t take the time to do together through the Environmental the job better will be rewarded. The Technology Initiative, through the Sustainable Industry Project, and many other cooperative activities.” The dialogue that will now take place by bringing together industry leaders, state and local government officials, commu- nity leaders, labor, and environmental leaders, will allow EPA to examine environmental protection in the industry from top to bottom. Regulations, permits, and research and development will be studied, and companies that go the extra mile and do more than the law requires will be rewarded. “We’re looking at the best way to prevent pollution, rather than waiting to clean it up,” she added. Cleaner, Cheaper, Smarter By working together and harnessing the creativity of those who know best how Administrator Browner toured the industry Exhibit prior to giving her keynote address. April 1995 11 which would force us EPA’s use of risk assessment and found into a false choice it to be a world leader. Partnerships are between environmental being built, Browner said, with state protection and eco- and local government, recognizing that nomic growth. each level of government brings different Browner is commit- strengths to these responsibilities. ted to making the Browner believes that the American system of environmen- people have every right to expect their tal protection more government to protect those things that flexible and more we all share. She noted that two out of sensible. Through CSI, five Americans today live in communi- industry and the EPA ties where the air is not safe to breathe, will work together to because it doesn’t meet public health reform the system ... standards. Asthma and breast cancer are but not to repeal it. It is on the rise in this country. Forty percent important, she noted, of our rivers, lakes and streams are still concept of a level playing field, she that we do not abandon the success and not suitable for drinking, fishing, or said, will be lost, resulting in unfair progress already made. swimming. One in four Americans live treament for those who were willing to CSI is just one way EPA is chang- within four miles of a toxic dumpsite.

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