Our environmental programs transform our environmental policy
into practical applications and concrete action. The commitment to do so starts
at the top. Dominion’s top management sets the clear expectation that
it is every employee’s responsibility to carry out Dominion’s environmental
policy. Goals are set by each business to address environmental requirements
going forward, identifying and providing the necessary resources to address
future needs. Performance against these goals is linked to the compensation
of employees.
Reaching our goals, maintaining compliance and demonstrating
stewardship in the areas where we operate requires employees who are dedicated
and trained for the task. Our environmental professionals include scientists,
engineers, chemists and biologists to provide expertise to ensure responsible
environmental operations.
Facility operations have "first-line" environmental
compliance responsibility. One or more environmental professionals at
each major facility or region support our operations in maintaining and
improving environmental compliance and processes.
Employees are trained to follow established processes
and procedures to inspect, monitor and maintain equipment to minimize
the impact of our operations. These procedures translate environmental
requirements and good management practices into action.
The corporate environmental staff provides oversight
and support to ensure requirements are addressed and to assist operations
for planning for the future. The staff is also engaged with regulatory
agencies to work toward responsible laws and regulation.
In addition to periodic self-assessments by operations,
Dominion routinely audits its facilities to assure compliance with environmental
regulations and policies.
Millstone Station ISO Certification
Third-party ISO 14001 Environmental Management
System Certification at Millstone Power Station has integrated the
environmental management process and regulatory requirements into
site procedures and day-to-day processes.
Environmental programs are in place and monitored
by top management. There are over 4,000 procedural steps that ensure
compliance with 1,500 state and federal regulatory requirements.
Millstone
was the first nuclear power station in New England to meet the ISO
14001 criteria for environmental management systems.
The audits are conducted by a separate group from operations
or the environmental staff to allow a fresh set of eyes to assess our performance.
Part of our environmental management approach also includes
engaging with stakeholders. Our stakeholders include individuals and groups
that have an interest in our performance.
Stakeholders have a positive influence on how we shape
projects and conduct operations. We are committed to maintaining strong
relationships with neighbors, regulators, community leaders and other
key stakeholders.
We back up this commitment by engaging stakeholders
as we embark on new projects and work on strong relationships with neighbors
around our operations.
We further engage the communities where we operate through
the support of a variety of environmental and educational activities through
the Dominion Foundation.
Stakeholder Engagement at Cove
Point
Dominion worked closely with the Maryland
Conservation Council and the Sierra Club, partners in a conservation
agreement at the Cove
Point liquefied natural gas terminal in Maryland, to enable
an expansion at the facility while maintaining the controls and
protections desired by the environmental groups.
Dominion held numerous public meetings
to inform the public about the pipelines and compressor stations
to be constructed to expand the site’s transmission pipeline
capacity.
The process both educated the public
about the planned projects and provided Dominion with input to be
used during project planning.
Tackling challenges head-on
Another part of our environmental management approach involves
grappling with tough challenges head-on. In April 2003, Dominion finalized a
landmark agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and five
states, committing to a long-term program to significantly reduce sulfur dioxide
(SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions across our coal-fired
generating fleet in Virginia and West Virginia.
The agreement, estimated
to cost $1.2 billion in capital investment over 12 years, is one of the
most comprehensive efforts ever taken by an energy company to improve
air quality.
Visit
the Performance
section for details on emissions.
A number of environmental challenges lie ahead. Dominion is
committed to working with stakeholders to continue to better understand these
issues and to develop responsible public policy.
