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From: GROUP PRESS 202-260-4355[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 1996 1:33 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: PR EPA ADMIN. INTEL CORP. SIGN FINAL PROJECT XL AGREEMENT
FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1996
EPA ADMINISTRATOR, INTEL CORP. SIGN FINAL PROJECT XL AGREEMENT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol M. Browner
today signed a five-year final Project XL agreement with Intel
Corporation officials and community leaders. The new agreement is
one of the most significant examples of progress in the Clinton
Administration's efforts to reinvent the environmental regulatory
system.
Speaking at Intel's new computer chip manufacturing plant in Chandler,
Ariz., Browner said, "Today's agreement is one of the most significant
results of Clinton Administration efforts to build a new generation of
environmental protection to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
This agreement with Intel is proof that we can make our environmental
regulatory system as affordable as it is protective."
Project XL (for Excellence and Leadership) is a national pilot program
that gives a limited number of regulated entities the flexibility to
adopt alternative strategies to the current system of regulations on
the condition that they produce greater environmental results. Under
Intel's agreement, the company will adopt a five year Environmental
Management Plan which outlines specific steps to meet tough standards
of superior environmental performance. The agreement provides strong
public health and environmental protections, while cutting red tape,
increasing public information, and allowing Intel to compete in a
fast-paced industry.
In exchange for meeting more stringent air pollution standards,
Intel will receive an air pollution permit that eliminates the usual
modification process each time Intel changes its manufacturing
operations. Under the agreement, Intel will also be allowed to file a
single, consolidated report for all pollution to Arizona's Department
of Environmental Quality, instead of separate reports for air, water,
and land pollution to several regulatory agencies.
"The results promise to be good for the health of this community,
good for the environment, and good for business," Browner said. "As
President Clinton has said, our philosophy of reinvention is simple:
Protect people, not bureaucracy. Promote results, not rules. Get
action, not rhetoric."
Dr. Craig Barrett, Intel's Executive Vice-President and Chief
Operating Officer, said, "This historic agreement will allow Intel
environmental engineers to concentrate on achieving even higher levels
of environmental performance. As a result, the regulatory community,
the public and Intel will all benefit."
Also as part of the Environmental Management Plan, Intel commits
to go beyond the regulatory requirements at this plant by limiting air
pollution through the use of cleaner manufacturing operations,
reducing water use through recycling, and protecting groundwater by
reducing stormwater runoff. Specifically, Intel's planned goals for
the five-year project include:
o recycling up to 65 percent of the fresh water used at the
facility;
o recycling up to 60 percent of the solid waste generated;
o recycling up to 70 percent of the non-hazardous chemical waste;
o reducing hazardous waste generated at the site according to
appropriate milestones; and,
o establishing limits below existing requirements for air
pollutants---carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, PM-
10 (particulate matter such as dust and soot) and toxic air
pollutants.
Intel has agreed to cap the overall level of pollution -- no more
than 50 tons annually for each criteria pollutant and 10 tons annually
for organic and inorganic hazardous air pollutants. Intel also is
required to model routine toxic air emissions and remain below
Arizona's strict guideline for public and worker exposure. Since
Intel is bringing new processes on line every two years, pollution
prevention will be built into process designs. A 40 percent reduction
in the emission of volatile organic compounds is expected from new
processes employed by Intel.
The XL project also calls for specific risk-based limits and
emission limits within the permit and for community benefits, such as
Intel's agreement to provide a beneficial 1,000 foot environmental
buffer zone between the manufacturing facility and nearby homes and
schools.
In a letter to President Clinton, members of Intel's Arizona
Community Advisory Panel said, "We believe that Intel's XL project
will enhance environmental protection for our community and encourage
Intel to achieve even higher levels of performance (at the Chandler
plant)."
"Project XL provides a fresh look at overall environmental
performance," said Jo Crumbaker of Maricopa County's Department of
Environmental Services. "It includes commitment and reduces paperwork
and other procedural burdens that do not provide value-added
contributions to its aggressive environmental goals."
During the project development, community members were
extensively involved. Information on the Intel project was made
available to the public from EPA, state and local agencies and several
public meetings were held during the development of the project.
Throughout the five-year implementation period, updates and quarterly
public meetings will be held.
Information will be made available on a regular basis on the
Internet at www.epa.gov/Project XL/.
R-156 # # #
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