CTI EHS Blog http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/ Conversion Technology Inc. Environmental, Health and Safety News Blog. Keeping you informed of important issues. en Copyright 2011 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:28:29 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2ysb5-20051201 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Proposed Changes to the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That Are Waste (NHSM) Rule On December 2, 2011, the EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, signed a notice and EPA is submitting it for publication in the Federal Register (FR). The proposed changes to the NSHM rule, include: http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/12/proposed_changes_to_the_nonhaz.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/12/proposed_changes_to_the_nonhaz.html Air Quality Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:28:29 -0500 OSHA Combustible Dust Rule Moving Forward (Link to CTI's Blog on the ANPR).  The latest news I was told is that the proposed rule is scheduled to move to a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) review panel in December of 2011.    
]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/11/osha_combustible_dust_move_mov.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/11/osha_combustible_dust_move_mov.html Combustible Dust Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:20:33 -0500 H.R. 2250 - EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 On September 13th, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power approved H.R. 2250 – The U.S. EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011.  There is also a companion bill, S.B. 1392, in the U.S. Senate. This proposed legislation, if passed, will stay the Boiler MACT/GACT, Incinerator MACT, and Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rules.  Currently all but the Boiler GACT rules have already been stayed by the EPA.  This legislation would stay all four rules for at least 15 month and instruct the EPA to revise the rules according to achievable results.  Until the legislation passes, the Boiler GACT deadlines are still in effect.  The deadline for initial notification of applicability is still September 17, 2011 and the deadline for compliance is March 21, 2012.  H.R. 2250 is expected to be voted on this shortly.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/10/hr_2250_epa_regulatory_relief.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/10/hr_2250_epa_regulatory_relief.html EPA Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:20:06 -0500 No Additional Hearings Likely for GA Storm Water Permit As I have reported here on the CTI's blog in the past, the Georgia Industrial General Permit for Storm Water Discharges (GAR0500000) is in the process of being reissued.  The format and requirements of the permit will be significantly modified, requiring facilities to update their Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWP3) and conduct additional actions required to comply with the new permit.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/10/no_additional_hearings_likely_1.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/10/no_additional_hearings_likely_1.html Regulatory Updates Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:20:57 -0500 CTI Article on Combustible Dust Safely Made on the status of OSHA's Combustible Dust Rule-making and on methods to reduce the risk associate with combustible dust.  A copy of this article is available on our website for download here: http://www.conversiontechnology.com/brochures/SafelyMade_V03N01_CTI.pdf
]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/09/cti_article_on_combustible_dus.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/09/cti_article_on_combustible_dus.html Combustible Dust Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:44:37 -0500 Compliance Date for Boiler GACT is Fast Approaching The first compliance deadline for the Boiler GACT Rule is September 17, 2011 – when the Initial Notification of Applicability is due.  This rule applies to facilities with boilers fueled by any fuel except natural gas, and who are not major sources of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).  Some state agencies have already acted, with North Carolina DENR having recently mailed out letters to potentially affected facilities. Others, such as the Georgia EPD, will be sending out similar letters soon.  Whether or not you receive a letter, you will have to submit your initial notification by Sept. 17 if this rule applies to your facility.

The Boiler MACT rule, which applies to facilities that are major sources of HAPs, has been placed on legal hold. This means the large facilities have some breathing room, but the small facilities covered by the GACT rule must act now. 

More information is available at CTI’s Boiler MACT and GACT website – www.boilermactcompliance.com.

  ]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/09/compliance_date_for_boiler_gac.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/09/compliance_date_for_boiler_gac.html EPA Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:20:52 -0500 EPA Stays the Boiler MACT for Major Source HAPs On May 16, 2011, the US EPA signed a stay delaying the effective dates for the final Boiler MACT rules for major sources for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and Commercial and Indstrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI) Units.

For Boiler MACT sources the deadline for compliance has not changed and is still March 21, 2012. This includes Minor Sources of HAP pollutants and Major Sources of non-HAP pollutants. 

The effective dates for HAP Major Source Boiler MACT & CISWI rules are delayed until such time as judicial review is no longer pending or until the US EPA completes its reconsideration of the rules, whichever is earlier.

For more information you can go to www.boilermactcompliance.com or contact us @ 770-263-6330.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/06/epa_stays_the_boiler_mact_for.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/06/epa_stays_the_boiler_mact_for.html EPA Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:28:24 -0500 Summary of OSHA Combustible Dust Forum Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

On May 13, 2011, OSHA held an Expert Forum on Combustible Dust to discuss possible options for developing a comprehensive rule to address the hazards associated with combustible dust.  OSHA’s stated intent was to both protect employees and be cost-effective for employers. The major topics for discussion included: Scope; Focus on Preventing Secondary Explosions; Existing Facilities; and Multiple Layers of Protection. The meeting was divided into these four topics for discussion, and OSHA posed questions from each to the panel of experts. Below are the highlights from the meeting.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/05/summary_of_osha_combustible_du.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/05/summary_of_osha_combustible_du.html Combustible Dust Sat, 14 May 2011 10:49:16 -0500 OSHA Expert Forum on Combustible Dust OSHA is holding an Expert Forum to identify regulatory options for addressing combustible dust hazards.  The meeting will be May 13th, 2011 in OSHA's home office in Washington DC.  CTI will be present for this meeting and we will prepare a summary describing what transpires.

To view the OSHA news release, follow this link:  http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=19710


]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/05/osha_expert_forum_on_combustib.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/05/osha_expert_forum_on_combustib.html Combustible Dust Tue, 03 May 2011 09:48:02 -0500 An Overview of the Final Boiler MACT Rules and Regulations On March 21, 2011 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published National Emission Standards for Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for boilers, solid waste criteria, and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for incineration units.  The rules include the following:

  • NESHAP for new and existing area source boilers (40 CFR Part 63 Subpart JJJJJJ).
  • NESHAP for new and existing major source boilers and process heaters (40 CFR Part 63 Subpart DDDDD).
  • Non-hazardous secondary material, when used as fuel or ingredients in combustion units that are “solid waste” under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (40 CFR Part 241).
  • NSPS for new stationary sources and emission guidelines for existing commercial and industrial solid waste incineration (CISWI) units (40 CFR Part 60 Subparts CCCC & DDDD).
]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/03/an_overview_of_the_final_boile_1.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/03/an_overview_of_the_final_boile_1.html Air Quality Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:35:05 -0500 Environmental Alert: EPA Issues Final Boiler MACT On February 21, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters, better known as the Boiler MACT. At the same time, the EPA issued the final Boiler GACT for area sources, the final Commercial/Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator (CISWI) rule, and the final Non-Hazardous Secondary Material rule. We at CTI are in the process of reviewing these rules in their entirety and will be issuing Client Alerts in the very near future. http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/environmental_alert_epa_issues.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/environmental_alert_epa_issues.html Air Quality Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:18:52 -0500 Reducing Fugitive Dust Emissions from Process Equipment The engineers here at CTI have had great success over the past several years in reducing risks associated with combustible dust fires and explosions.  Much of our work has focused on hazard analysis, design of fire and explosion prevention and protection systems, and safety procedures and training.  But there is another field we have been working on that I feel is worth discussing - mechanical design of equipment and processes to eliminate fugitive dust.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/reducing_fugitive_dust_emissio.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/reducing_fugitive_dust_emissio.html Combustible Dust Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:37:08 -0500 Georgia Storm Water Permit Renewal The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is in the process of writing the revised General Storm Water Permit for Industrial Activities, which will likely take effect on August 1, 2011.  The EPD has released two draft versions of the new Permit, the most recent being released on February 17th, 2011. There are two more stakeholder meetings to be held at the EPD tradeport offices, and Brian Edwards of CTI will be attending those meetings on February 23rd and March 9th. 

The new permit will have impacts to all permitted facilities, so please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss this issue. 

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/georgia_storm_water_permit_ren.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/02/georgia_storm_water_permit_ren.html Water Quality Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:01:52 -0500 CTI Participating in "Understanding Combustible Dust" Seminar Brian Edwards, PE of Conversion Technology, Inc. will be a trainer at the Understanding Combustible Dust Seminar presented by Lewellyn Technology on April 12, 2011. Brian will be discussing the science behind combustible dust incidents, along with fire and explosion prevention and protection. Visit www.safedust.com for details on how to register. To learn more about CTI's consulting services, please visit: Combustible Dust Safety.

Other presenters will include:

Kevin Jeffries, CEAS - Corporate Safety Systems Manager at Imperial Sugar Co.
Scott Margolin - International Technical Director at Westex, Inc.

 

 

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/01/cti_participating_in_understan.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2011/01/cti_participating_in_understan.html Combustible Dust Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:42:17 -0500 New GA Combustible Dust Rule Effective March 9, 2010 Georgia has created a new rule that will affect a multitude of facilities across the state.  The Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner has enacted Chapter 120-3-24: Rules and Regulations for Loss Prevention Due to Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire, and these rules have an effective date of March 9, 2010.  These rules were specifically made by the State of Georgia to regulate combustible dust in response to the Imperial Sugar tragedy in Port Wentworth, GA that claimed the lives of 14 people and injured many more.

]]> http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2010/03/new_combustible_dust_rule_effe.html http://conversiontechnology.com/blog/2010/03/new_combustible_dust_rule_effe.html Combustible Dust Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:02:15 -0500