Environmental Management and Compliance News, Tips and Tools

April 28, 2009

Toxics Release Inventory reporting requirements have been revised

On April 27, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule revoking the provisions of the Toxics Release Inventory Burden Reduction Rule (December 2006) that expanded eligibility for reporting of chemicals using the Form A certification statement rather than the more detailed Form R report. 

The latest ruling returns Form A reporting eligibility to previous levels:  Form R must be used for reporting persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals, such as certain pesticides, polycyclic aromatic compounds, lead, mercury, PCBs and dioxins.  For non-PBT chemicals, the Form A certification statement can be used if no more than 1 million pounds of the chemical are manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility and total quantities released, disposed, treated, recycled and transferred do not exceed 500 pounds. 

The rule change applies to reports for 2008, due by July 1.  For additional assistance and information, contact us or visit www.tcozzie.com/tri-2008.htm.

April 18, 2009

EPA proposes to find that greenhouse gases pose threat to public health, welfare

In a proposal that would pave the way for regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency on April 17 issued a finding that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.

The proposed finding identified six gases – including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride – that pose threats. 

For more information, visit http://epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html or contact us at www.tcozzie.com/contact.htm.

Filed under: Air Pollution,Greenhouse Gases,Rules and Regulations — admin @ 9:49 am

EPA to require greenhouse gas emissions reporting…

On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposal to require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy.  Reportable greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.  The rule would apply to fossil fuel suppliers and industrial gas suppliers, as well as to direct greenhouse gas emitters – such as operators of boilers, process heaters, incinerators and other stationary combustion sources.  The proposed rule does not require control of greenhouse gases, rather it requires only that sources above certain threshold levels monitor and report emissions. 

Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 9, 2009.  For more information, contact T. Cozzie Consulting.

April 8, 2009

Florida Annual Operating Report due May 1

Managers of Florida facilities that have Title V Air Permits or State Air Operating Permits are reminded to prepare their Annual Operating Reports, with emissions information, by May 1.  More information can be found at www.dep.state.fl.us/air.  For additional assistance, please contact T. Cozzie Consulting via www.tcozzie.com/contact.htm.

Filed under: Compliance,Florida,Reporting — admin @ 6:24 pm

April 5, 2009

SPCC Rule has been finalized, again…

The Environmental Protection Agency on April 1 published the final rule promulgating revisions to Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan requirements that were proposed in December 2008.  The published rule delays the effective date of the rule to January 14, 2010.  EPA also asked for public comment on whether a further delay of the effective date is warranted.

Revised dates for facilities to comply with the SPCC requirements will be published in a separate notice.

T. Cozzie Consulting is tracking the SPCC requirements and offers guidance on compliance at the page www.tcozzie.com/spill_prevention.htm.

Filed under: Rules and Regulations,Spill Prevention Plans — admin @ 6:25 pm

Look… Here

T. Cozzie Consulting is blogging now!  Visit this site, tcozzie.com/press/,  for the latest news on US Federal and particular State regulatory actions, tips for compliance with regulatory requirements, and up-to-date information on environmental management topics.

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 6:13 pm