Environmental Discussion Page
This page is dedicated to environmental issues relevant to the regulated community - including: environmental manager environmental horror or disaster stories and helpful tips to stay out of trouble.
Please mail in your ideas, concerns, comments, or questions and SEC will post them subsequent review and approval.
(Response section)
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Stories and tips
The following is from EPA's "Environmental Indicators Initiative" or specifically Cleaner Air: "In 1970, Congress responded to concern over visible air pollution, irritating smog, and associated health and ecological effects by enacting the federal Clean Air Act (CAA). As a result, total national emissions of the six criteria air pollutants decreased by 25 percent between 1970 and 2001. Emissions of air toxics have declined as well, dropping 24 percent between 1990 and 1993 (the baseline period) and 1996. One of the major components of acid rain, wet sulfate deposition, has also decreased substantially (EPA, OAQPS, September 2002). These improvements occurred during a time of significant growth in the nation’s population and economy: from 1970 to 2001, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 161 percent, the number of people increased from about 203 million to more than 280 million, energy consumption increased by 42 percent, and vehicle miles traveled increased by 149 percent (Exhibit 1-1) (EPA, OAQPS, September 2002). "
Comparison of growth measures and emission trends, 1970-2001. (Click to enlarge) |
Regulatory negligence
One of the common things a consultant runs across is the employee or company representative, that doesn't take the regulations seriously. This individual ignores and puts off obvious non-compliance situations, as he has no appreciation of the consequence of his neglect. Eventually this person or the company finds its self in a serious enforcement or liability situation. (Check out enforcement page for companies that failed to follow requirements Ray Scholten, Savannah Environmental Consulting,)
Chemical plant - tank and container storage.
Above lamp ballasts are result of lighting contractor's remodeling or lighting retrofit work at a shopping mall. He was ignorant on lamp ballast disposal requirements. He not only spent over four times more (or ~$4,000 more) on ballast disposal, but failed to handle the waste lamps per the Universal Waste Regulations. SEC can help clients determine best disposal or recycling solutions, while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Former methanol chemical storage tank and fill line
Contact Savannah Environmental Consulting!
Poor position of diesel fuel oil tank without secondary containment is located immediately next to a storm sewer inlet. This is an example of a facility looking for trouble.