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  • Obtaining an RMP ID Number

    How can a facility subject to the Risk Management Plan (RMP) requirements obtain its RMP ID number? The owner or operator of a regulated RMP facility that has already submitted an RMP, may obtain the facility's identification number (RMP ID Number) by contacting the RMP Reporting Center (703-227-7650). An RMP-covered…

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  • Why are industries exempt under OSHA's PSM subject to RMP?

    The Program 3 prevention program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68 are almost identical to the requirements of OSHA's process safety management (PSM) standard. OSHA exempts certain industries from the PSM standard. Why does EPA not exempt those same industries from the CAA §112(r) risk management program requirements? EPA and…

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  • What if the quantity in the process fluctuates?

    What if the quantity in the process fluctuates? I may not have a threshold quantity now, but I will intermittently exceed the threshold quantity. You do not need to comply with the rule and file an RMP unless you have more than threshold quantity in a process; however, once you…

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  • Does EPA have enforcement authority for the risk management program regulations?

    Yes. Under §113 of the CAA, the Agency has the authority to bring administrative and judicial actions against violators. Judicial actions can be civil and criminal in nature. Section 113(a)(3) authorizes the Agency to order violators to comply with the risk management program regulations. Under section 113(b), the Agency may…

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  • Criteria for selecting stationary sources to audit

    What criteria will be used to select stationary sources for periodic compliance audits of risk management plans (RMPs) submitted under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart G? The implementing agency will, according to the regulations at 40 CFR §68.220(b), select stationary sources for audits based on any of the following criteria…

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  • Is there a citizen suit provision applicable to RMP?

    Is there a citizen suit provision applicable to CAA §112 and the risk management program rule? Yes, section 304 of the CAA includes a citizen suit provision for violations of emission standards or limitations promulgated under the Act.

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  • Accessing RMP Data

    Is Risk Management Plan (RMP) data available to the public and, if so, where can it be found? Risk Management Plans (RMPs) prepared and submitted pursuant to CAA section 112(r) are, by statute, available to the public. Members of the general public may obtain RMP data by visiting a designated…

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  • Process identification and distance between vessels

    How far apart do separate vessels have to be to be considered different processes? There is no hard and fast rule for how great this distance should be before you do not need to consider the vessels as part of one process. Two vessels at opposite ends of a large…

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  • What does "same industrial group" mean?

    Operations at a site that belong to the same three-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code prefix (which has replaced the old SIC codes) belong to the “same industrial group. In addition, where one or more operations at the site serve primarily as support facilities for the main operation…

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  • Updating RMP if EPA lists a new substance

    What if EPA lists a new substance? You will have three years from the date on which the new listing is effective to come into compliance for any process that is covered because EPA has listed a new substance.

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  • How may state and local rules be more stringent?

    In what ways may state and local rules be more stringent? Does this document ( General Risk Management Program Guidance ) provide guidance on state and local differences? States and localities may impose more detailed requirements, such as requiring more documentation or more frequent reporting, specifying hours of training or…

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  • Should tank capacity be considered when determining thresholds?

    When determining whether a threshold amount of a regulated substance is present in a process (e.g., a tank), must the owner or operator of a stationary source consider the total capacity of the process, or the actual amount of regulated substance contained in the process? The threshold determination is based…

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  • What is the definition of “overburdened community” that is relevant for EPA Actions and Promising Practices?

    EPA Actions and Promising Practices apply the description of overburdened communities articulated in EPA’s Plan EJ 2014. The term is used to describe the minority, low‐income, tribal and indigenous populations or communities in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks due to exposures or cumulative impacts…

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  • How will an EPA regional office determine whether a permitted activity impacts a potential overburdened community? What screening tool or process will EPA regional offices use to screen permit applications?

    The Agency has developed a nationally consistent screening tool to help identify communities that are potentially overburdened. This tool, known as EJSCREEN, is one of several tools being developed under Plan EJ 2014. EPA anticipates that its regional offices will use EJSCREEN and other readily available information, including known community…

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  • Some of the Promising Practices are mentioned in EPA regulations, guidance and recommendations that EPA has issued in the past. So why is EPA issuing the Promising Practices?

    EPA is issuing Promising Practices to encourage permit applicants to strategically plan and conduct enhanced outreach to overburdened communities in the permitting process. As some commenters noted, EPA has recommended some of the outreach strategies included in Promising Practices previously. Nevertheless, EPA believes that it is important to issue Promising…

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