Compliance Questions

Environmental Compliance FAQs

What is environmental compliance, and why is it important for my business?

1. • Environmental compliance involves adhering to environmental laws, regulations, and standards designed to protect the environment. It's essential to avoid fines, legal action, and damage to your company’s reputation while ensuring safe and sustainable operations.

How do I know which environmental regulations apply to my business?

1. • Regulations depend on factors like your industry, location, facility size, and operations. Our team can conduct a compliance audit to identify relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations for your business.

What services do you offer to help businesses achieve environmental compliance?

1. • We offer a range of services, including Tier II reporting, hazardous waste management, chemical storage compliance, spill prevention planning, stormwater management, and sustainability reporting tailored to various industries.

Why should I choose your company for my environmental compliance needs?

1. • Our team has extensive experience in environmental compliance across industries, offering customized solutions to help your business meet regulatory requirements efficiently. We stay up-to-date with changing regulations to ensure your operations remain compliant.

Tier II Reporting FAQs

What is Tier II reporting, and does my business need to file it?

5. • Tier II reporting is a federal requirement under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) for facilities that store hazardous chemicals above certain thresholds. If your business stores chemicals like solvents, fuels, or cleaning agents, you may need to file. We can conduct a chemical inventory to determine if you meet the reporting requirements.

What types of chemicals need to be reported under Tier II?

5. • Hazardous chemicals, including fuels, solvents, cleaning agents, refrigerants, and other industrial chemicals stored above the reporting threshold (usually 10,000 pounds), need to be reported. We can help identify which chemicals at your facility require Tier II reporting.

When is the Tier II reporting deadline?

5. • The annual deadline for Tier II reporting is March 1st for the previous calendar year. Our services ensure your reports are accurately prepared and submitted on time.

How can your company help with Tier II reporting?

5. • We provide a full chemical inventory audit, identify chemicals subject to Tier II reporting, and handle the entire reporting process. This includes preparing reports, ensuring accuracy, and submitting them to the appropriate state and local agencies before the March 1st deadline.

Hazardous Waste Management FAQs

What is hazardous waste, and how should it be managed?

9. • Hazardous waste includes substances that are flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Proper management involves identification, segregation, storage, and disposal following Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) guidelines. Our experts can develop a customized hazardous waste management plan for your facility.

Does my business need a hazardous waste permit?

9. • If your facility generates, stores, or treats hazardous waste, you may need a permit. We can assist in determining if you need a permit and help with the application process.

What are the deadlines for hazardous waste reporting?

9. • Hazardous waste generators must submit a Biennial Report by March 1st of every even-numbered year, detailing hazardous waste activities from the previous calendar year. Some states may have additional or more frequent reporting requirements. We can help you track these deadlines and ensure compliance.

What are the consequences of improper hazardous waste disposal?

9. • Improper disposal can result in fines, legal action, environmental damage, and harm to public health. Our waste management services ensure compliance with all regulations to avoid these risks.

Chemical Storage and Spill Prevention FAQs

What are the best practices for chemical storage?

13. • Best practices include proper labeling, segregation of incompatible chemicals, secondary containment, and ventilation. We provide storage assessments and recommend solutions to ensure compliance with safety standards.

What is an SPCC plan, and does my facility need one?

13. • An SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) plan is required for facilities that store more than 1,320 gallons of oil products. It outlines spill prevention and response procedures to protect water sources. We can help develop a customized SPCC plan for your facility.

How often should spill response training be conducted?

13. • Spill response training should be conducted at least annually and whenever there are changes in processes, staff, or spill prevention measures. We offer employee training programs to ensure your team is prepared to handle spill incidents effectively.

Stormwater and Wastewater Management FAQs

What is a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and do I need one?

16. • An SWPPP outlines best management practices (BMPs) to minimize pollutants in stormwater runoff from industrial facilities. Facilities with outdoor operations often require an SWPPP to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. We provide services to develop and implement a compliant SWPPP for your site.

What are the common pollutants in industrial stormwater runoff?

16. • Common pollutants include oil, grease, heavy metals, chemicals, and sediments. Proper stormwater management practices are essential to reduce the environmental impact and comply with water quality standards.

When are stormwater compliance reports due?

16. • Facilities with NPDES permits often need to submit Annual Reports summarizing stormwater monitoring results. The specific deadline varies by state and permit type, but it typically falls around the end of the calendar year. We can assist in preparing and submitting these reports on time.

How can my facility improve wastewater compliance?

16. • Our team can assess your facility’s processes to identify sources of wastewater, recommend pretreatment solutions, and ensure compliance with discharge permits. We also help you implement water conservation practices to reduce wastewater volume.

Sustainability and Air Quality FAQs

Why is sustainability reporting important for my business?

20. • Sustainability reporting helps track and communicate your environmental impact, such as energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste reduction efforts. It demonstrates your commitment to environmental stewardship, meeting stakeholder expectations and potentially enhancing your brand reputation.

How do you assist with air quality compliance?

20. • We conduct air quality assessments to identify emission sources, recommend control measures, and help you obtain necessary air quality permits. We also provide monitoring services to ensure ongoing compliance with regulations, including annual reporting as required by some air quality permits.

Training and Auditing FAQs

Do you provide employee training on environmental compliance?

22. • Yes, we offer tailored training programs covering topics like chemical handling, spill response, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance to ensure your employees are knowledgeable and compliant with safety standards.

What is an environmental compliance audit, and how does it benefit my business?

22. • An environmental compliance audit is a thorough evaluation of your facility’s operations to identify compliance gaps and areas for improvement. Regular audits help prevent violations, reduce risks, and enhance overall operational efficiency. We offer comprehensive audits with actionable recommendations for achieving and maintaining compliance.

How often should my facility undergo a compliance audit?

22. • It is recommended that facilities undergo an environmental compliance audit annually or whenever significant operational changes occur, such as expansion, new equipment installation, or changes in chemical usage.