This article appeared in the October 2020 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

Q: How does the EPA work to build a collaborative environment between manufacturers, state agencies and your Agency?

Thiede: Building collaborative relationships starts with establishing open lines of communication. Under the leadership of U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, EPA is committed to working with all levels of government, as well as with the manufacturers in Michigan and across the U.S. to protect human health and the environment, while fostering the historic economic growth experienced under the Trump Administration.

As a former state agency official, I have an appreciation for the important role states play in environmental regulation. They are closer to the issues and are often best suited to address their unique circumstances.

Since arriving in Region 5, I have promoted regular and open communication with industry as well as state and local governments. I appreciate manufacturers’ efforts to promote sustainability initiatives and innovative technology. We are committed to working with our partners to foster enhanced collaboration and creative problem solving on issues that matter to the manufacturing sector. I believe we will have better environmental and economic outcomes if we are working together.

Q: Can you share an update on federal PFAS action?

Thiede: EPA implemented the PFAS Action Plan in February 2019 to aggressively address PFAS throughout the country. What makes this plan unique and effective is that it breaks down silos within the agency, and has actionable steps assigned to every office. As a result, EPA has made progress on all fronts, from issuing groundwater cleanup guidance, finalizing new test methods, cutting edge research, updating the Toxics Release Inventory, to issuing a preliminary regulatory determination for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. This unprecedented and holistic agency approach relies heavily on utilizing the best science to base our decisions. EPA will continue to work in close coordination with federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments and industry.

Q: Eliminating bureaucratic red tape has been a long-time priority for manufacturers. How is your Agency addressing this competitive barrier?

Thiede: EPA has made great strides to eliminate unnecessary burdens put on manufacturers and industries while improving our ability to make environmental and economic improvements. The agency has also worked hard to improve certainty and transparency. Not only are we trying to eliminate red tape, we are also striving to make sure we are communicating and establishing clear regulatory goal-lines and, perhaps most importantly, establishing goal-lines that do not move. As an example, all EPA guidance has now been posted on the Agency’s website. In Region 5, we have embraced the Agency’s Lean Management System to assess our processes to find efficiencies, increase timeliness and be more responsive.

Q: Ozone attainment is a critical goal for manufacturers. How can manufacturers work together with the EPA to achieve compliance?

Thiede: EPA encourages a collaborative approach in working with our state regulatory partners to achieve an effective ozone strategy. Across the Great Lakes Region, EPA’s partnership with states and industry has resulted in formal redesignations to attainment of air quality standards, including ozone. In addition to cleaner, healthier air, once an area is redesignated, local businesses face fewer air permitting restrictions, paving the way for the infrastructure investment and economic development that help create jobs. Region 5 leads the nation in redesignations and we are proud of our accomplishments but this success is only possible by working closely with our industry and state partners.