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  • Visit and examination requirements for SPCC self-certification

    Pursuant to 40 CFR §112.6, the owner or operator of a facility that meets the criteria in §112.3(g) for either a Tier I or Tier II qualified facility may self-certify the facility's SPCC Plan. As part of the self-certification, the owner or operator must certify that he or she has…

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  • What is defined as a structure (home or place of business)?

    While generally defined as a building, a structure under the structural cleaning program will include only those habitable spaces where indoor occupancy is frequent and regularly occurring on a daily or near-daily basis. Examples of residential structures include primary residences and living spaces, and examples of commercial structures include offices…

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  • Why is cleaning of homes and places of businesses happening?

    Norfolk Southern, with EPA oversight, is providing indoor cleaning to eligible occupants in response to concerns about the impact of the derailment and cleanup work on homes and places of businesses. The cleaning is to address potential dust that may have been generated as part of the train derailment and…

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  • What work still needs to be done at the derailment site?

    Although contaminated soil has been excavated and removed from the derailment site, some additional work remains. Soil sampling continues to check all areas where cleanup operations took place. Stream assessments continue, and culvert clean out has started. Groundwater and drinking water sampling also continues. Expect these investigations and possible additional…

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  • What sources make up the Tier 1 categories used in the emissions trends?

    Tier 1 categories are assigned by source classification codes (SCCs) that are the most specific processes available in the NEI. The latest SCC list with the Tier 1 assignments can be downloaded from the EPA SCC website in Comma Separate Values (CSV) format.

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  • What is the cause of the large decrease in electric utility emissions, particularly sulfur dioxide, starting in 1995?

    SO2 emissions reductions from utilities during this time are primarily attributed to the impacts of the acid rain program. As described on EPA’s Acid Rain Program web page, Phase 1 of this program began in 1995 and affected 263 units at 110 most coal-burning electric utility plants in 21 eastern…

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  • Availability of electronic SPCC Plan template

    Part 112, Appendix G to prepare an SPCC Plan. Is the Tier I qualified facility SPCC Plan template available in an electronic version? EPA has made available electronic versions of the Tier I qualified facility Plan template to help the owner or operator of a Tier I qualified facility develop…

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  • Does this mean my home or place of business is contaminated?

    No. However, indoor cleaning is being offered to address potential dust emissions that may have been generated as part of the train derailment and cleanup work. This service is being offered as an additional service to interested members of the community.

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  • Why do mobile source NOx emissions jump higher between 2001 and 2002 on the emissions trends?

    The emissions model used for mobile sources changed from MOBILE6.2 to MOVES 2010 in December 2009. This change included a notable increase in NOx emissions. The EPA adjusted data back to 2002 to reflect the change in models. The higher emissions in 2002 are because of this method change and…

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  • Tier I qualified facility template use under Part 112

    In the 2008 Amendments to the SPCC Rule, EPA provided a template for the owner or operator of a Tier I qualified facility to create an SPCC Plan. Does EPA require a Tier I qualified facility to use the template in 40 CFR Part 112, Appendix G? Does EPA allow…

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  • Why are you cleaning homes and places of business?

    Since the derailment, property owners and renters have voiced concerns about the impact of the derailment and cleanup work on their homes and place of business. In response, Norfolk Southern, with EPA oversight, is providing indoor cleaning to interested, eligible occupants.

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  • I’m not concerned about dust. What about chemicals that may have been released by the event or the cleanup?

    The air and soil in and around the community has been monitored and sampled, and results confirm our confidence that the air and soil in East Palestine and surrounding communities, including inside homes, is not a concern for incident specific chemicals. While community testing conducted to date has not indicated…

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  • Why do the PM2.5 emissions for the electric utilities source category jump up between 1998 and 1999?

    The estimation method for PM emissions from fuel combustion sources was enhanced beginning with the 1999 National Emissions Inventory. Prior to 1999, the emissions measurement data methodology only included the filterable portion (which means the solid particle matter at elevated stack temperatures). Beginning with the 1999 NEI, both the filterable…

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  • Difference between an SPCC Tier I and Tier II qualified facility

    In the SPCC regulations in 40 CFR Part 112, what is the difference between a Tier I and Tier II qualified facility? How did EPA establish the multi-tiered approach for qualified facilities? A Tier II qualified facility is one that has an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity of 10,000 U.S…

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