DOE/ORO/2327 Oak Ridge Reservation Annual Site Environmental ...

Annual Site Environmental Report
Y-12 Web Site. Y-12 personnel are made aware of the commitments stated in the policies and how the
commitments relate to our work activities.
4.2.3 Planning
4.2.3.1 Environmental Aspects
Environmental aspects may be thought of as potential environmental hazards associated with a
facility operation, maintenance job, or work activity. Aspects and impacts are evaluated to ensure that the
significant aspects and potential impacts continue to reflect stakeholder concerns and changes in
regulatory requirements. The following aspects have been identified as potentially having significant
environmental impact:
• waste generation,
• air emissions,
• liquid discharges,
• storage/use of chemicals and radioactive materials,
• legacy contamination,
• excess/surplus materials,
• historical and cultural resources,
• natural resource consumption (energy and water), and
• natural resource conservation (positive impacts).
The EMS provides the system to ensure that environmental aspects are systematically identified,
monitored, and controlled in order to mitigate or eliminate potential impacts to the environment.
4.2.3.2 Legal and Other Requirements
To implement the compliance commitments of the ES&H policy and to meet legal requirements,
systems are in place to review changes in federal, state, or local environmental regulations and to
communicate those changes to affected staff. The environmental compliance status is documented each
year in the ASER (see Sect. 4.3).
4.2.3.3 Objectives, Targets, and Environmental Action Plans
B&W Y-12 continues to respond to change and pursue sustainability initiatives by establishing and
maintaining environmental objectives, targets (goals), and action plans. Goals and commitments are
established annually and are agreed to by the Y-12 NNSA Site Office (YSO) and B&W Y-12 and are
consistent with mission, budget guidance, ES&H work scope, site incentive plans, and continuous
improvement. The environmental action plans designate responsibility for achieving the goals and are
amended as necessary to reflect new developments and changing conditions at the Y-12 Complex.
Targets and action plans are established for broad objectives to pursue improvement in environmental
performance in five areas: clean air, energy efficiency, hazardous materials, stewardship of land and
water resources, and waste reduction/recycling/buy green. Highlights of the 2009 B&W Y-12
environmental targets achieved are presented in Sect. 4.2.6.1.
4.2.3.4 Programs
NNSA has developed and funded several important programs to integrate environmental stewardship
into all facets of Y-12’s missions. The programs also address the DOE order requirements for protecting
various environmental media, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and helping to promote
compliance with all applicable environmental regulatory requirements and permits.
The Y-12 National Security Complex 4-5