Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 76 results

• Criteria for selecting alternative release scenarios

  As part of the hazard assessment, owners and operators of Program 2 and Program 3 covered processes must identify and analyze alternative release scenarios (40 CFR §68.28). What criteria should be used when selecting an alternative release scenario? The owner or operator of a stationary source subject to the risk…

  • Last published: March 12, 2024

• Does the distance to endpoint start at the process or stationary source boundary?

  When selecting the worst-case release scenario for Program 2 and 3 processes as required by 40 CFR §68.25, a stationary source owner or operator must analyze the release scenario that results in the greatest distance to an endpoint. Does the "greatest distance to an endpoint" refer to the greatest total…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Using meteorological station data for off-site consequence analyses

  For the purpose of the offsite consequence analyses required under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, there are several instances in which data gathered at a local meteorological station may be used to establish the modeling parameters of wind speed, atmospheric stability, temperature, and humidity for the stationary source. How…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Underground storage tank off-site impacts to groundwater, drinking water, or soil

  For the worst-case and alternative release scenarios of an underground storage tank, should I consider any impact on groundwater, drinking water, or soil? No. As part of the worst-case and alternative release scenarios, you need to define the offsite impacts to the environment (40 CFR §68.33) by listing the environmental…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Administrative controls considered when determining worst-case release quantity

  For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Are Mechanical Controls Considered Administrative Controls?

  For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Worst-case release from smaller process with larger distance to endpoint

  The owner or operator of a stationary source covered by the risk management program regulations must conduct a worst-case release scenario analysis as part of the required hazard assessment (40 CFR §68.25). The worst-case release is defined as the release of the largest quantity of a regulated substance from a…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Can I use any previous three year meteorological data for worst case scenario?

  I am trying to complete my worst case release scenario for the Risk Management Plan under §68.25. I understand that I am required to use a wind speed of 1.5 m/s and F atmospheric stability class as specified in §68.22(b), unless I can prove that at no time over the…

  • Last published: May 29, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• How many worst-case release scenarios must be analyzed and documented in the RMP?

  As a part of the hazard assessment requirements in 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, I must analyze worst-case release scenarios and document certain analyses in my risk management plan (RMP). How many worst-case release scenarios must be analyzed, and how many analyses must be specifically documented in the RMP…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Identifying public receptors and property with restricted access

  Does public receptor cover only buildings on a property or the entire property? If the owner of the land next to my site restricts access to the land, is it still a public receptor? Public receptors are not limited to buildings. For example, if there are houses near your property…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• When to Revise OCA

  The risk management program in 40 CFR Part 68 requires facilities to conduct an off-site consequence analysis (OCA) to provide information to state, local, and federal governments and the public about the potential consequences of an accidental chemical release. When does a facility need to revise its OCA? The owner…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• No trespassing signs restricted access onsite or offsite public receptor

  The definition of public receptor is "offsite residences, institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals), industrial, commercial, and office buildings, parks, or recreational areas inhabited or occupied by the public at any time without restriction by the stationary source ..." Offsite is further defined to include "areas within the property boundary [of the…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024