Register for FREE EMS Training
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is offering free implementation assistance workshops focused on local governments to help implement an EMS. For more information contact Larissa Peter at lpeter@tceq.state.tx.us or Elizabeth Frisch at elizabeth@culturetechnologies or you can register online here.

EMS Websites for Local Governments

• Public Entity EMS Resource Center provides information and resources for implementing an EMS at government entities.
• National Biosolids Partnership membership includes free training and assistance implementing an EMS for Biosolid Producers.
• Local Government Environmental Assistance Network provides environmental management, planning, funding, and regulatory information for local government elected and appointed officials, managers and staff.
• TCEQ Clean Texas Cleaner World EMS Program - provides implementation assistance, auditing support, and regulatory incentives for entities implementing EMS.
• National Database on EMS - provides a clearinghouse for EMS information including studies and resource guides.

EMS Implementation Guidebooks for Local Governments

• EMS Guidebook for Local Governments - This guide focuses on implementing EMS to improve environmental performance and energy use in government organizations. The guide covers benefits of an EMS to local governments, provides gap analysis tools, implementation plan, case studies, sample EMS manuals and other resources.
• EMS Handbook for Wastewater Organizations - This EMS guidance book is useful for developing and maintaining an EMS in wastewater operations. Uses the traditional Plan-Do-Check-Act Approach to implementation. Also includes Sample Documentation , an EMS Toolbox with presentations, checklists, and other implementation tools, and EMS Glossary and Resource Page.
• EMS Troubleshooters Guide for Local Governments - This guide was developed in 2002 based on the experiences of 23 municipal, state, and local organizations implementing EMS. It guides an organization through the EMS implementation steps by addressing the needs and issues a facility might encounter. The guide is lengthy and broken into five separate chapters and seven appendices and contains a lot of practical information to step you through the implementation process. Additional chapters include: Phase I - Getting Ready, Phase II - Plan, Phase III - Do , and Phase IV - Check and Act. The appendices include a Glossary of Terms, Major Task Checklist, Sample Documentation for Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV, and a section on Additional Resources. Note: This document pre-dates the ISO14001:2004 standard but most sections are still relevant and transferable to the revised standard.
• ISO14001 for Municipalities - This guide is for mid-level to senior technical staff from municipalities, utilities, and institutions interested in implementing an EMS under ISO14001. Note: This document pre-dates the ISO14001:2004 standard but most sections are still relevant and transferable to the revised standard.
• ISO14001 Guidance Manual - The National Center for Environmental Decision-making Research has created a guidance document for implementing an EMS that meets ISO14001. Note: This document pre-dates the ISO14001:2004 standard but most sections are still relevant and transferable to the revised standard.

EMS Case Studies for Local Governments

• EMS Implementation Project for Local Governments (September 18, 2005) - Three municipalities implemented an EMS over an 18-month period. Case studies detail benefits and challenges to implementing an EMS.
• Public Water Sector Case Studies (November 2005)- Five case studies of water utilities implementing EMS are provided to demonstrate how EMS help water utilities operate more efficiently.
• EMS for Public Entities (January 2003 - December 2004) - Details the experiences of nine government entities implementing EMS.

Last Updated February 21, 2006