The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its annual enforcement results for the 2018 fiscal year (ranging from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018). The report highlights the results of the agency’s civil and criminal enforcement over the past year. Susan Bodine, the Assistant Administrator for OECA, summarizes EPA’s enforcement priorities, explaining “In…

This month PPM Consultants is celebrating our 25th anniversary in business. The celebration will continue throughout the year in appreciation of our wonderful clients and exceptional team. The company will also celebrate its silver anniversary during its annual PPM Roadshow in February, where the firm’s principals will meet with PPM staff to share their vision…

As we enter into 2019, it is important to reflect on the air permitting guidance changes we have seen in what has been a very active year in EPA air permitting guidance. These guidance changes, especially those under the complex NSR review process, will impact the air permitting process for capital projects going forward. Below…

One of the traditions we look forward to the most at PPM is sending to our clients a special Christmas greeting. Each year our card’s art is drawn by one of our team member’s children, and we love sharing what Christmas looks like through their eyes. We are always excited by the talent of these…

On January 30, 2017, the day President Donald Trump took office, one of his first measures was to sign in Executive Order 13771.1 This executive order became known as the “In-One-Two-Out” policy whereby for every new regulation adopted, two regulations should be cut so as to not increase the incremental costs of new regulations.  It…

Brandon Bass joined PPM Consultants as a Project Engineer in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Bass has seven years of experience in air quality and compliance that he brings to PPM. Bass has extensive knowledge of environmental regulations, New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and Title V permitting…

Compliance Date and Summary of Requirements January 30, 2019, is rapidly approaching, and for those facilities with flares subject to the requirements in Subpart CC, that’s your compliance deadline for completing a Flare Management Plan (FMP). Flares that are subject to the requirements in §63.670 are also subject to the flare monitoring requirements in §63.671,…

The 2015 Revised Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations will begin full implementation in some states and 16 non-program approved states on October 13, 2018.  The revisions strengthen the 1988 federal UST regulations by increasing emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. The revisions will help prevent and detect UST releases, which are a leading…

A recent study from two University of California Berkeley economists, Joseph Shapiro and Reed Walker, has found that pollution emissions from U.S. manufacturing fell by 60 percent between 1990 and 2008.  While during the same period, manufacturing grew by 30%.  The study will be published in the American Economic Review. This is very good news…

The OIG plans to begin preliminary research to determine whether active municipal solid waste landfills are operating under the appropriate air-quality permit. Click here  

On July 25, 2018, EPA proposed revisions to AP-42 Section 7.1 – Organic Liquid Storage Tanks. This section, lasted updated in November 2006, provides guidance for calculating air emissions from fixed and floating-roof storage tanks. Along with EPA’s TANK 4.09d software, this section has formed the backbone for most industrial facilities’ tank emissions estimates for…

More than five years after President Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13650, sending us down this winding road, on August 17, 2018, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the RMP Delay Rule.  The Court of Appeals stated, “Because EPA has not engaged in reasoned decision-making, its promulgation of the Delay Rule is arbitrary and…

PPM  held its own in 2017 among top environmental firms to win its 12th award from ENR despite many changes to the market and environmental regulations.  The company experienced one of its strongest financial performances of its 23-year history in 2017, and has been recognized as a leader among architecture, engineering and consulting (AEC) firms.…

Trey Glenn, EPA Region 4 Administrator, recently penned an article expressing EPA’s concerns about a class of “emerging contaminants” that are showing up in aquifers and surface waters across the nation.  He stated that “protecting America’s drinking water is a top priority for EPA and that’s why we are coming together with state and local…

Charles Ray presented on the topic: “Lake Okeechobee and Environmental Justice”, at the Florida Brownfields Association Environmental Justice and Social Equity Symposium.  The focus of the presentation is to bring attention to: (1) negative environmental conditions impacting their community health, (2) the impacts to the local economy and (3) to obtain assistance eliminating impacts to…