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| Metal Products & Machinery Point Source Category (May 2001)On January 3, 2001, EPA announced the proposed effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the MP&M Point Source Category. The agency estimates that the proposed rule will affect almost 90,000 facilities, of which an estimated 63,000 discharge process wastewater. Of those discharging wastewater, EPA estimates that 7% are direct dischargers and fall under effluent limitation standards; 93% are indirect dischargers falling under pre-treatment standards. According to EPA, the annualized cost of the regulation would be $1.9 billion, with the annual value of the benefits expected to be only $0.7 billion. Some industry analysts feel that the annual cost of regulation will be much higher and could put a large number of facilities out of business. For more information, please read the full regulatory update.NSR Enforcement Initiative (April 2001) In 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched an industry-based initiative to enforce new source review (NSR) requirements. The initiative began with pulp and paper, moved into electric utilities, and then targeted petroleum refineries. As the enforcement arm of the EPA continues on its mission, it appears that the most recent target of NSR reviews is the chemicals industry.EPA has been sending NSR 114 letters, filing lawsuits, issuing enforcement orders, and entering agreed judgments contending that major sources have been "modified" without NSR permits. The agency’s new interpretation of what is considered exempt could call into question virtually every process improvement project at a plant. For industries across the country, this could result in legal battles and heavy fines. For more information, please read the full regulatory update.
Hossley Receives DEE Board Certification (March 2001) Joseph B. Hossley, P.E., DEE of RMT, Inc.'s Austin, Texas office recently became board-certified as a Diplomate Environmental Engineer (DEE). The American Academy of Environmental Engineers awards the DEE title to qualified Professional Engineers who have demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of environmental specialization. To be certified as a DEE, an engineer must have a valid Professional Engineer's license, at least eight years of progressively responsible environmental engineering experience, and a passing score on a written and oral examination. Hossley's new DEE designation adds to his 16 years of experience in hazardous waste and wastewater compliance and permitting. He can provide assistance with:
Hossley joins an elite group of two other DEEs at RMT. For assistance, please contact: Joseph B. Hossley, P.E., DEE - 512/ 327-9840, Richard L. Sawinski, P.E., DEE – 864/281-0030, or Robert P. Stevens, P.E., DEE - 864/281-0030. Iron & Steel Foundry MACT Bulletin (March 2001) In 1990, former President Bush signed the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA). Since then, the EPA has been developing regulations to fulfill the requirements of these amendments. Potentially, the greatest impact of the CAAA on foundries will be the regulation of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) in Section 112. The CAAA identifies 188 HAPs that are subject to regulations. Under the CAAA, EPA was directed to compile a list of categories of all major sources of HAPs and to develop standards for each category. Major sources are defined as those that emit more than 10 tons per year of a single HAP or 25 tons per year of multiple HAPs. On July 16, 1992, the EPA published a list of source categories, which includes iron and steel foundries. For more information, please read the full regulatory update. RMT Honored with State Engineering Award (March 2001) RMT recently received a 2001 Engineering Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Association of Consulting Engineers for the Alliant Energy Baraboo River Sediment Remediation project. The 70-year-old Oak Street Dam on the Baraboo River in Baraboo, Wisconsin was targeted as the second of three Baraboo River dams to be removed under the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR's) River Restoration Program. In the fall of 1998, the WDNR found coal tar in the sediment behind the dam. Coal tar is a by-product of gasification plants that used coal to produce a combustible gas for lighting and heating. The contamination was traced to the adjacent property, a former manufactured gas plant owned by Alliant Energy. Alliant contracted with RMT to determine the extent of the coal tar contamination and the best way to handle its removal. In view of the remediation needed, the WDNR delayed the dam removal for one year. The investigation, remediation, and dam removal were all to be completed prior to the 1999 Spring thaw. This required RMT to conduct a fast-track investigation using a unique Vibracore sampling method and grid collection system. This innovative solution allowed RMT to determine the volume of sediment to be removed and the need for further source remediation in approximately one-quarter of the time that would have been required by more traditional techniques--4 1/2 days versus 3 1/2 weeks. RMT then developed design plans and specifications, and provided engineering oversight for the removal of 4,500 cubic yards of coal tar-contaminated sediment from the Baraboo River. Alliant, RMT, and the contractor worked closely to communicate and maintain a positive relationship with all interested parties, including the WDNR, the City of Baraboo, and a variety of public interest groups. This collaborative effort helped Alliant Energy maintain a good relationship with the community and the WDNR, while managing their environmental responsibilities. Due to RMT's approach of using Vibracore sampling, and their suggestion to use the same contractor for both the dam removal and the remediation effort, the project was completed not only within the accelerated time schedule, but also at significant cost savings. This creative strategy and its implementation prevented downstream migration of the affected sediment, protected the environment, and kept the WDNR's Winter 2000 Oak Street Dam-removal schedule on track. RCRA Corrective Action Reforms II: Fostering Creative Solutions (March 2001)In January 2001, the U.S. EPA announced its second round of RCRA Corrective Action Reforms—in the form of guidance—to reinforce the 1999 Reforms. The 1999 Reforms promoted faster, more focused and flexible cleanups, in addition to identifying 1,714 Baseline facilities that are slated for remediation based on the program’s 2005 goals. The attainment of these goals is being measured based on the following two Environmental Indicators (EI):
The 2001 Reforms build upon the actions already taken by the EPA to accelerate cleanups and foster creative solutions. Specifically, the 2001 Reforms will pilot innovative approaches, accelerate changes in culture, connect communities to cleanups, and capitalize on redevelopment potential. For more details, please read the full regulatory update. Stokes Honored as Project Manager of the Year (February 2001) Brad Stokes, of RMT, Inc.’s Corpus Christi, TX office, has been named one of ATOFINA’s top consultants for the year 2000. "This is a huge honor," says Stokes, "and we’ll have to work very hard to live up to it." ATOFINA’s petrochemicals group (formerly Fina) believes in managing its environmental program through outsourcing. Each year they recognize four of their consultants as being the best of the best and present them with the Project Manager of the Year Award. Stokes has been working on various projects for the ATOFINA account since 1993. This award recognizes some of his more recent work with the petrochemicals group on the former Harbor Island and Refugio Terminal projects, where he has been conducting environmental investigations and developing workplans since 1997. In his 10 years at RMT, Stokes has worked with various industrial facilities, regulatory agencies, military contractors, and municipalities on projects ranging from groundwater and soil investigations to closure and construction of hazardous waste landfills. In addition, he is a part of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the National Ground Water Association, and the Air and Waste Management Association. RCRA Corrective Action Reforms (February 2001) In July 1999, the RCRA Cleanup Baseline was finalized and included a static list of 1,714 facilities that were identified as facilities that would benefit from early cleanup. These Baseline facilities comprise the basis of the EPA Corrective Action Program’s 2005 Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) goals. In order to measure progress towards the 2005 cleanup goals two milestones, known as environmental indicators (EI), have been created: Current Human Exposures Controlled (CA725) and Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Controlled (CA750). By the end of 2005, the GPRA goal is to have human exposure controlled at 95% of baseline facilities and migration of contaminated groundwater controlled at 70% of these facilities. For more details, please read the full regulatory update. RMT Professional Reaches New Levels (February 2001) Atiya Syverson, of RMT, Inc.’s Greenville office, received the Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) designation from the Board of Certified Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) in December 2000. BCPE was established in 1990 as a nonprofit corporation to provide a formal organization for examining and certifying qualified practitioners of ergonomics/human factors. Syverson has joined an elite group of less than 800 other CPEs nationwide. To become a CPE, practitioners must have a master’s degree in ergonomics, human factors or related field, at least four years of professional practice and a passing score on the CPE written examination. Syverson’s new CPE designation adds to her 11 years of experience in ergonomics, industrial hygiene and safety. She can provide assistance with:
For assistance in meeting OSHA’s new Ergonomics Standards, please contact Atiya Syverson, MS, CPE, CIH, CSP, at 864/281-0030 or Atiya.Syverson@rmtinc.com. OSHA Ergonomics Standard Impacts Industry (January 2001) After close to 20 years of work, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has passed a final ergonomics standard that went into effect on January 16, 2001. Designed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by job-related activities, the federal regulation has significant implications for employers throughout the country. According to OSHA, the final rule will affect 6.1 million employers and 102 million employees in general industry. The ergonomics rule is complex and addresses areas previously not regulated by the federal government. Unlike the draft standard proposed in 1999, the final regulation applies to all general industry employees, not just those in manufacturing or manual handling jobs. The compliance deadline is October 14, 2001, giving employers only 10 months to respond. To help understand the rule, please check out the full regulatory update. RMT’s Anita Doepke Elected to TAPPI Board of Directors (January 2001) Please join us in congratulating Anita Doepke, P.E. of RMT’s Appleton Office on her election to a three-year term on the TAPPI Board of Directors. Anita joined RMT’s Appleton Office as Senior Client Service Manager in February 2000, working with her clients to deliver project-specific solutions that maximize business value. "I’m excited about this opportunity to take on a new challenge and share the benefit of my 20 years of environmental management experience with TAPPI’s members." Anita has been a TAPPI member since 1984, serving on TAPPI’s EPCOT Advisory Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors’ 2010 Committee charged with re-engineering TAPPI. In May of 2000, Anita was recognized with its "Leadership and Service Award" for her outstanding leadership and exceptional service to their Environmental Division. Members of TAPPI benefit from the sharing of technical information and knowledge through a variety of industry relationships formed between TAPPI and other organizations. Anita can be reached at 312/925-9016 or Anita.Doepke@rmtinc.com.
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