EPA Performance Track Members Not Meeting Commitments

April 3, 2007

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An evaluation from the Office of Inspector General, Performance Track Could Improve Program Design and Management to Ensure Value (PDF), has found that the EPA’s Performance Track program does not have clear plans that connect activities with its goals, and does not have performance measures that show if it achieves anticipated results (via Inside Green Business).

According to the evaluation, only 2 of 30 sampled Performance Track members met all of their environmental improvement commitments. In addition, members did not have access to some program benefits.

Performance Track recognizes facilities that set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond their legal requirements, have internal systems in place to manage their environmental impacts, engage in local outreach about their performance and publicly report results.

The OIG found that most Performance Track members’ compliance and toxic release records were better than average, but some were not. Although most members showed leadership and environmental progress, the presence of underperforming facilities reduces the integrity and value of the brand.

The OIG made a number of recommendations that include “designing a comprehensive strategic plan to connect activities with goals and to encourage staff and management to focus on program goals and member commitments.”

The EPA disagrees with how the program was evaluated and the extent to which it has succeeded.

The evaluation comes on the heels of the EPA announcing that 55 new facilities joined the program.

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