Ohio EPA’s Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) has delayed the launch of its new, secure portal for on-line submittals of reports, permit applications, and annual fees until June 30, 2008. This software, called e-Business Center Air Services, had been slated to launch on March 3, 2008. As a result, Title V Fee Emissions Reports (FER), Emissions Inventory Summary (EIS), and Emissions Statements (ES) must be submitted using the STARShip software one final time. The extension of the reporting deadline to June 6, 2008 will remain effective. STARShip files will be accepted by Ohio EPA through close of business on June 13, 2008. After that date, any submittals will be required to be submitted using Air Services, which is replacing STARShip. For more information, visit the Ohio EPA website or contact EQ’s Sheri Bussard at (800) 229-7495.
SARA Title III annual hazardous chemical inventory forms for 2007 are due March 1, 2008. A facility is required to submit this report if:
Reports are submitted to the state emergency response commission (SERC), the local emergency planning committee (LEPC), and to the local fire department. For more information, visit the Ohio EPA website or contact EQ’s Sheri Bussard at (800) 229-7495.
On January 18, 2008, U.S. EPA published final New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for stationary spark ignition (SI) internal combustion engines (ICE). The NSPS regulates nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons from new, modified, and reconstructed stationary SI engines. The rulemaking also included final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for existing, new and reconstructed stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) that are either located at area sources (non-major) of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), or are located at major sources of HAPS but are less than or equal to 500 brake horsepower (bhp). Note: There is already a NESHAP for RICE at major sources above 500 bhp. The RICE NESHAP regulates non-methane hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. Carbon monoxide emission reductions are proposed as a surrogate for HAP emission reductions. For more information, see the Federal Register notice or contact EQ’s Sheri Bussard at (800) 229-7495.
On December 28, 2007, U.S. EPA promulgated final National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for three area source categories: Clay Ceramics Manufacturing, Glass Manufacturing, and Secondary Non-Ferrous Metals Processing. Area sources are facilities that emit less than 10 tons per year of any single HAP or les than 25 tons per year of total HAPs. U.S. EPA is under court order to regulate another 30 area source categories by June 15, 2009. The standards reflect the application of generally available control technology (GACT) and apply to new and existing operations. Subpart RRRRRR standards apply to kilns that fire glazed ceramic products and atomized spray glaze operations at facilities that use more than 50 tons of wet clay per year. Subpart SSSSSS standards apply to continuous glass melting furnaces that produce more than 50 tons per year of glass and use one or more HAP metals as a raw material. Lastly, Subpart TTTTTT applies to crushing and screening operations at secondary zinc processing facilities and to furnace melting operations at any secondary non-ferrous metals processing facility. For more information, see the Federal Register notice or contact EQ’s Jeff Slayback at (800) 229-7495 or Kent Berry at (800) 229-5299.
The U.S. EPA has declared the month of January “National Radon Action Month.” Here are three things you can do to protect yourself and your family.
For more information, visit the U.S. EPA website.
On January 17, 2008, the U.S. EPA, along with a number of state and national environmental groups, released a comprehensive plan to help municipalities and other entities reduce stormwater runoff and sanitary sewer overflows during wet weather events by promoting “green infrastructure” approaches, such as green roofs, trees and tree boxes, rain gardens, and porous pavements. Green infrastructure techniques, technologies, and practices reduce the amount of water and pollutants that run off a site. These tools have many other benefits, including cost savings, improved air quality, urban heat island reductions, energy savings, water conservation, and urban habitat creation. For more information, visit the U.S. EPA website.
Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski is asking 100 of the top Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporters in the state to voluntarily reduce their emissions as part of the Tox-Minus program. Ohio has long ranked as one of the top states in toxic chemical emissions since the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) was created in 1987. Companies participating in Tox-Minus can establish their own goals for reducing TRI chemical releases. Reduction goals should cover a five-year time frame, beginning with 2007 as the base reporting year. Companies can use a longer time frame, if necessary, to achieve significant chemical reductions. Ohio EPA will publicize the emission reduction efforts as a way of giving public thanks and to help encourage other businesses to participate. Although the Tox-Minus is initially focused on the Top 100 reporters (based on 2005 data), any Ohio business is invited to join the program. For more information about the program, visit the Ohio EPA website.
When it comes to being green, EQ likes to practice what it preaches. As part of a “sustainability” program launched in 2006, EQ has pledged to reduce its own carbon footprint by 8% by the end of 2012 (based on a 1990 baseline).
“We recognized that the sustainability arena was a natural expansion of the services already provided by our company, and thought it would provide new and exciting business opportunities,” said EQ CEO and President Jack Greber. “We wanted to develop our own world class program so we could establish credibility and provide real world experience for our clients.”
Among the company’s first actions were formal approval of the program by its Board of Directors, establishment of a budget, creation of a leadership team, hiring of a third-party auditor, and development of a sustainability policy statement.
To meet its carbon footprint goal, EQ is looking for ways to save energy, recycle, and support its employees and the community. Examples include use of hybrid and/or alternative fuel vehicles in the company fleet; company-wide use of energy-saving lighting systems, company-wide recycling of all paper, metal and e-waste; support of ongoing employee education (e.g., tuition assistance) and participation programs (e.g., match donations to local charities, purchase of Earth Day t-shirts); and planting of trees to achieve a zero net gain for annual carbon emissions.
For more information, visit the EQ website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
For your engineering needs, please contact EQ Engineers at 219-844-3500, their website or email Ron Hawks
For international engineering services, contact EQ Engineers Slovakia via their website or email Bob McCullough
For questions about EQ's capabilities, please email or call Bob McCullough at (800) 229-7495.
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