Stormwater Products Can Abate Fines

Not having stormwater management can cost you plenty. Risk management analysts need to take into account just how much fines will add up to. It does a company no good when these contingent costs are not factored in. How much would have a proper Stormwater management program cost?

Homebuilder Ryland Group Inc., To Pay $625,000 Penalty and Implement Company-Wide Stormwater Controls

Release date: 10/07/2011

WASHINGTON – The Ryland Group Inc., one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, will pay a civil penalty of $625,000 to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites, including sites located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. Ryland will also invest in compliance programs to improve employee training and increase management oversight at all current and future construction sites. The company is required to inspect its current and future construction sites routinely to minimize stormwater runoff from sites.

“Protecting America’s water resources, like the Chesapeake Bay, by keeping contaminated stormwater from flowing unchecked into our waterways is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance and Assurance. “Today’s settlement will improve Ryland’s oversight of stormwater runoff at its construction sites nationwide and protect our nation’s water resources.”

“This settlement will help protect communities in states across the nation from harmful pollutants in stormwater runoff,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Polluted stormwater runoff can contaminate rivers, lakes and sources of drinking water, and it can be easily prevented with the system-wide management controls and training that this settlement now requires Ryland to implement.”

EPA estimates the settlement will prevent millions of pounds of sediment from entering U.S. waterways every year, including sediment that would otherwise enter the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary. The bay and its tidal tributaries are threatened by pollution from a variety of sources and are overburdened with nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that can be carried by stormwater.

The government complaint, filed simultaneously with the settlement agreement in the U.S. District Court in Charlotte, N.C., alleges a pattern of violations that was discovered through site inspections and by reviewing documentation submitted by Ryland. The alleged violations include failure to obtain permits until after construction began, failing to obtain permits at all, or failing to comply with permit requirements at sites where Ryland did obtain permits. Alleged permit violations include not developing complete stormwater pollution prevention plans, failure to conduct adequate inspections, and failure to install or implement adequate stormwater controls or practices.

The Clean Water Act requires permits for the discharge of stormwater runoff. In general, Ryland’s permits require that construction sites have controls in place to prevent pollution from being discharged with stormwater into nearby waterways. These controls include common-sense safeguards such as silt fences, phased site grading and sediment basins to prevent common construction contaminants from entering the nation’s waterways.
The settlement requires Ryland to obtain all required permits; develop site-specific pollution prevention plans for each construction site; conduct additional site inspections beyond those required by stormwater regulations; and document and promptly correct any problems detected. The company must properly train construction managers and contractors on stormwater requirements and designate trained staff for each site. Ryland must also submit national compliance summary reports to EPA based on its quarterly management oversight inspections and reviews.

This settlement is the latest in a series of enforcement actions to address stormwater violations from residential construction sites around the country. Keeping contaminated stormwater out of America’s waters is one of EPA’s national enforcement initiatives. Construction projects have a high potential for environmental harm because they disturb large areas of land and significantly increase the potential for erosion. Without onsite pollution controls, sediment-laden runoff from construction sites can flow directly to the nearest waterway and degrade water quality. In addition, stormwater can pick up other pollutants, including concrete washout, paint, used oil, solvents and trash. Polluted runoff can harm or kill fish and wildlife, degrade aquatic habitats and affect drinking water quality.

Seven states have joined the settlement. The states of Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada and the commonwealth of Virginia will receive a portion of the $625,000 penalty. The settlement also includes sites in the states of California, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.

More information on the settlement: www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/cwa/rylandgroup.html

More information on EPA stormwater enforcement: www.epa.gov/oecaerth/data/planning/priorities/cwastorm.html

 

Spill Containment is less expensive than the subsequent fines that eventually follow. The EPA is very vigilant, and does their job stridently. How much would it have cost to buy boom, spill berms or other very modestly priced equipment? See below just how much taking a risk on not having a SPCC plan or proper containment supplies cost this company.

Texas Petroleum Investment Company Fined for a Second Time for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – September 27, 2011) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the Texas Petroleum Investment Company of Houston, Texas, $134,895 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

A federal inspection of the company’s Hackberry Field Tank Battery #5, an onshore oil production facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, revealed the company had failed to prepare and implement SPCC plans as required by federal regulations. Another federal inspection of the company’s Romere Pass Tank Battery, an onshore and offshore production facility in Plaquemines Parish also found the company had failed to prepare and implement SPCC plans at that location.

Today’s announcement also settles Clean Water Act violations for discharges of oil into Black Lake in Cameron Parish and discharges of oil into Romere Pass and Main Pass, both in Plaquemines Parish.

In August 2011, EPA announced the company had been fined $163,487 for Clean Water Act violations found at its oil production facilities in Terrebonne, Plaquemines, Lafourche, St. Charles and Iberia parishes and for unauthorized discharges of oil into wetland areas and unnamed canals in Terrebonne, Plaquemines and Iberia parishes.

SPCC regulations require onshore and offshore oil production and bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, preparedness and responses to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps to protect our nation’s water quality. A spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

 

Spill Kits – Lose The Confusion – Get Answers Here

Time Saving Questions about Selecting Spill Kits

Selecting Spill Kits may not be the most exciting process; HOWEVER, not having the right kit on hand can cost you money and time. Below is a quick primer on how to choose the right spill kit. With so many kits to choose from, do you know which spill kit specifically matches your needs? Respond to this simple checklist to obtain a kit that meets your needs. Ascertaining the optimum fit really is simple and fast. Answer the next short set of questions and you should be able to hone in on the selection of one or two spill kits that will be appropriate for your circumstances.

AIRE Industrial Spill Kit

1. What fluid are you soaking up?
The initial action in selecting the correct spill kit is to first clarify what type of chemical is going to be contained. At this point, you can match the absorbent to the chemical you want to restrain and remediate. Knowing the appropriate sorbent for the chemical is critical. There are diverse types of sorbents that have atypical properties and it is vital for execution and safety to determine the chemical composition of the fluid you are containing.
Sorbent choice for your spill kits:
• Universal designation on a spill kit denotes that the absorbents inside are universal sorbents. These universal absorbents are all purpose, used just about anywhere and for almost all spills.
• Hazmat desgination on a spill kit indicates that the sorbent contained inside are hazardous liquid absorbents. These hazardous sorbents restrain and mop up a variety of fluids, from water to acids to bases to oils.
• Oil Only designation on a spill kits indicates that the sorbets contained inside are oil-only absorbents. Oil-only absorbents are intended for petroleum and hydrocarbon-based liquids. Oil-only sorbents will wick up the oil without absorbing water.

2. What is the maximum quantity of the possible spill?
Step two in configuring your spill kit is ascertaining the biggest quantity of fluid that needs to be contained. By far, tanks and drums are biggest spill and leak offenders. Deducing the capacity of tank or drum will assist you in determining how big of a spill kit you must use. Spills can be as minute as a drop or as sizeable as a tank containing 500 gallons. Everything above the 500 gallons mark has to be in a spill containment device. Keeping a small spill kit nearby is advisable as well.

3. Check your workspace, what kind of kits will fit?
What kind of environment are you dealing with? Are you in a factory setting where machines are stationary, or are you in a warehouse where things are constantly on the move? What if you need a more mobile spill kit that you can put in a vehicle and takes up little space? Performing a site survey will help you in your decision making process. Spill kits come in many shapes and sizes, finding one that fits your exact needs is possible.

Handy Takeaways:
• Keeps your kits and your chemicals near each other
• Machines leak on occasion, keep a kit in the vicinity
• Spills do not stand still, trucks and trailers need spill kits on board
• Always replace your used sorbents after a spill.

4. Do you need PPE, Personal Protective Equipment?
Employees that are tasked to deal with spills need protection. Depending on the type of spill, your employee will need gloves, goggles, protective suits and possibly respirators. Keeping your employees safe during spill clean ups is the first line of spill defense. An injured employee can be more costly than a spill fine. Having trusted equipment in a spill kit is of utmost importance. Depending on what chemicals might be introduced during a spill, your kit should contain all the PPE necessary for the safety of your personnel performing the clean up.

 

Spill Berm Manufacturer Opens Online Store With Over 7,500 Spill Containment Products Available.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 06, 2011 – AIRE Industrial, an international spill containment manufacturer, now offers 24/7 ability to purchase over 7,500 essential EPA compliance and materials handling products through their online secured store site.
“Since AIRE’s clientele is worldwide, the expansion of the company into the ecommerce realm is a natural progression,” states Director of Business Development Tim Lewis. “Our customer base now has the ability to purchase on their schedule and not wait for quotes during our business hours. Using the online ecommerce store allows our partners to build orders and schedule deliveries for their operations with ease.”
For the first time, a spill berms manufacturer opens the door to true direct- to-customer pricing. AIRE Industrial is able to cut through the mark-up clutter and offer savings on spill containment products that are a necessity for many businesses. Compliance purchases are often mandatory and the industry has been known to price gouge. By offering clear and competitive pricing, customers can comparison shop and receive the best value.
AIRE Industrial offers spill containment berms with many standard features including no assembly drive through models that are EPA and OSHA compliant in a variety of wall heights and width/length configurations. All berm seams are hemmed and radio frequency welded to prevent the scrim from absorbing water and thus extends the life of the berm. There are thousands of stock designs available for sale in the online store. All berms are manufactured of XR-5 30 oz fabric or 22oz PVC. Urethane, cold weather or heavier XR-5 fabric can be substituted upon request. Decon berms are also available to assist with hazmat wash down of personnel or equipment.
In addition to containment berms, flexible fabric tanks can be purchased online. Tanks for fuel, water, and other liquids are available in sizes from 50 to 30,000 gallons. Tanks are manufactured out of either XR-5/urethane for fuels or XR-3 PW fabric, a NSF-61 approved material, for potable water. Fittings for tanks range from .75 to 4 inch flange depending on the size of tank and are either Stainless Steel or PVC.
Materials handing equipment is available for acquisition on line as well. A complete line of Eagle Plastics is included at the store. Drum containment, spill platforms, spill pallets and decks exceed or meet requirements for secondary spill containment under regulation 40 CFR 264.175. Safety cabinets for paint, corrosives, insecticides, and flammables can be bought through the store and are accessible for configuration during the purchasing process.
Spill kits from AIRE offer a diverse yet comprehensive line of spill cleanup solutions. Spill kits for oil, hazmat and universal spills come in a variety of sizes from duffel kits to 95 gallon overpaks and include sorbents, gloves, goggles, suits, safety signs, compliance directories, labels and disposal bags. Spill kits are the backbone of most preventions plans and kits can be customized to suit each customer’s requirements.
Spill containment offerings include drip and leak containment for vehicles, hoses, equipment and drums. Drip pads, spill mats, pouches, wraps, pop up pools and vehicle mount kits can be found and purchased online. All drip containment is able to stand up to oil and chemicals. Some items have replaceable absorbent liners for multiples usages. They are weighted and include a tethering strap for convenient attachment.
Stormwater and erosion control products can be obtained online as well. Dewatering bags, culvert socks, flood diversion tubes, safety drain seals, conical drain plugs and barrel patches are offered to assist with compliance of SWPPP regulations, in addition to BMP’s. Storm water management products and erosion control products are key components to a complete flood management plan or construction site management plan. It is essential to control erosion and sediment as it is the #1 pollutant for construction and building project sites.
AIRE Industrial is a premier international provider of spill containment solutions for industrial and governmental compliance. The product lines are under constant enhancement and our engineers are creating innovative answers for today’s regulations and requirements. Visit AIRE Industrial to learn more about the extensive collection of stock and custom spill berms, flexible bladder tanks for fuel, water & chemicals, absorbents, material handling equipment, hazmat supplies, stormwater control, drip containment and safety cabinets visit our online store at:

http://store.aireindustrial.net/

For more information, contact Aire Industrial, 2021 E Wilson Ln, Meridian, Id 83642, 1-800-247-3846 or visit http://www.aireindustrial.net where information, photos and supplemental chemical compatibility charts can be found.

About AIRE Industrial:

Since 2001, Aire Industrial has been committed to providing the most affordable and reliable spill containment solutions. Our focus on customer satisfaction is the driving force behind every contact that we make. Our goal is customer safety and providing the right product for the exact application, even if it means a new product designed specifically for that single purpose. We care deeply about the environment and tirelessly seek out innovative solutions for spill containment challenges. Our environmental spill containment product lines include flexible spill containment berms and bladder tanks for fuel, water and chemicals, as well as a full line of safety cabinets, plastic spill containment platforms, spill kits, drum containment systems, sorbent products, flood protection sandbag alternatives, stormwater management products, custom boat rib collars, helicopter pontoons in addition to other industrial and governmental inflatable projects.
Our stock lines offer some of the most forward thinking spill containment solutions available on the market today. Acknowledging that the spill containment market is an emergency industry, Aire Industrial keeps a vast array of products on the shelf for immediate shipping and response.

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AIRE Industrial produces top quality spill containment and spill prevention solutions for government agencies, military, agriculture, environmental containment, and the wild land fire suppression industries. We manufacture berms & flexible storage tanks.

 

BP Alaska to Pay $25 Million Penalty for Alaskan North Slope Oil Spill

What kind of risk model management tool took corrosion into account? Granted, 1600 miles of pipeline is a long stretch, however there still must be eyes on. If that does not work, then what about providing spill berms along the pipeline so that if leaks occur there is a way to contain the spill before it hits the ground?

BP Alaska to Pay $25 Million Penalty for Alaskan North Slope Oil Spill

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today announced that BP Exploration Alaska, Inc. will pay $25 million in civil penalties and implement a system-wide pipeline integrity management program for spilling more than 5,000 barrels of crude oil from the company’s pipelines on the North Slope of Alaska. The penalty is the largest per-barrel penalty to date for an oil spill.

“Today’s settlement with BP Alaska imposes a tough penalty and requires the company to take action to prevent future pipeline oil spills on the Alaska North Slope,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The Clean Water Act gives the U.S. authority to assess higher penalties when oil spills are the result of gross negligence, and this case sends a message that we intend to use that authority and to insist that BP Alaska and other companies act responsibly to prevent pipeline oil spills.”

“This penalty should serve as a wake-up call to all pipeline operators that they will be held accountable for the safety of their operations and their compliance with the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the pipeline safety laws,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Companies like BP Alaska must understand that they can no longer afford to ignore, neglect or postpone the proper monitoring and maintenance of their pipelines. This agreement will help prevent future environmental disasters and protect the fragile ecosystem of Alaska’s North Slope.”

“This penalty is a stern reminder to pipeline operators to follow orders issued by PHMSA or risk a federal civil lawsuit and steep fines,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia L. Quarterman. “Also, it is a warning that operators must know, test and maintain their pipelines or risk harming people and the environment and having to spend, as in this instance, hundreds of millions of dollars replacing those pipelines.”

In March 2006, BP Alaska spilled approximately 5,054 barrels of crude oil on the North Slope in Alaska. A second spill occurred in August 2006 with approximately 24 barrels of crude oil spilled. Investigators from EPA and PHMSA determined that the spills were a result of BP Alaska’s failure to properly inspect and maintain the pipeline to prevent corrosion. PHMSA issued a Corrective Action Order to BP Alaska that addressed the pipeline’s risks and ordered pipeline repair or replacement. When BP Alaska did not fully comply with the terms of the corrective action, PHMSA referred the case to the Department of Justice. Today’s settlement also addresses Clean Air Act violations arising out of BP Alaska’s improper asbestos removal along the pipeline in the aftermath of the spill.

Today’s settlement requires BP Alaska to develop a system-wide program to manage pipeline integrity for the company’s 1,600 miles of pipeline on the North Slope based on PHMSA’s integrity management program. The program will address corrosion and other threats to these oil pipelines and require regular inspections and adherence to a risk-based assessment system. The program will cost an estimated $60 million over three years and is in addition to the approximately $200 million BP Alaska has already spent replacing the lines that leaked on the North Slope.

Of the $25 million penalty, $20.05 million will be deposited in the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund established under the Clean Water Act. The remainder, $4.95 million, will be paid to the U.S. Treasury. The funds paid to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund will be used to finance federal response activities and provide compensation for damages sustained from future discharges or threatened discharges of oil into water or adjoining shorelines. Oil spills are known to cause both immediate and long-term harm to human health and ecosystems, including the suffocation of wildlife and the contamination of nesting habitats.

In 2007, BP Alaska pled guilty to one misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act for the March 2006 spill and was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay a $20 million criminal penalty, including a $12 million fine, $4 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support research and activities on the North Slope and $4 million in restitution to the state of Alaska.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

 

Spill Containment and SWPPP

(Kansas City, Kan., April 25, 2011) – The City of Dubuque, Iowa, has agreed to pay a $205,000 civil penalty and spend an additional $3 million on improvements to its water pollution control plant and sewer collection system over the next three years to settle a series of alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

As part of the settlement outlined by a consent decree lodged today in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the City of Dubuque will pay half of the civil penalty to the United States, and half to the State of Iowa, which is a co-plaintiff in the case. Dubuque has also agreed to spend approximately $260,000 on a supplemental environmental project. The project will involve the reconstruction of four alleys that incorporate permeable pavement in their design, which will help reduce the flow of storm water into the city’s sewer system.

“EPA is encouraged by the City of Dubuque’s willingness to remedy its longstanding water pollution issues and to improve water quality in the Mississippi River,” Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “This commitment by the city represents a significant step forward toward Dubuque’s goal to be a green city.”

Dubuque’s violations of its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit date back to the early 1970s, when its water pollution control plant was built. Along with 165 miles of gravity sewer lines, three major pump stations and eight smaller lift stations, the plant comprises a public sewer system that serves the city of approximately 92,000 residents along the Mississippi River.

Dubuque’s violations of its NPDES permit and the Clean Water Act identified by EPA and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources include:

* Approximately 39 sanitary sewer overflows which occurred between 2002 and 2007. Most of those unauthorized overflows occurred in an area known as the Key Way sanitary sewer system, and involved the pumping of raw sewage into Catfish Creek during major storms. Over the last three years, Dubuque has already spent $2 million to upgrade the Key Way system. Under the consent decree, it must demonstrate that all sanitary sewer overflows have been eliminated for one year, or face additional penalties.
* Approximately 687 violations of effluent limits for total suspended solids, total residual chlorine and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand in its wastewater discharges between 2002 and 2007. The consent decree outlines a number of system and process improvements designed to eliminate exceedences associated with wet weather, and requires the city to pay stipulated penalties for future effluent violations.
* Failures to comply with a pretreatment program. Audits in 2005 and 2007 found that Dubuque failed to issue permits to industrial users of its water pollution control plant, failed to take enforcement actions against industrial users that violated terms of their city-issued permits, and failed to follow sampling and reporting requirements of its pretreatment program. Since those audits, the city has hired a full-time pretreatment coordinator.

The consent decree sets forth a series of schedules for the city’s completion of the various projects to improve its sewer system. All upgrades must be completed within 34 months of the consent decree’s effective date.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval before it becomes final.
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Learn more about EPA’s civil enforcement of the Clean Water Act

 

Conservation is working!

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the 16th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory. The final report shows overall emissions during 2009 decreased by 6.1 percent from the previous year. This downward trend was attributed to a decrease in fuel and electricity consumption across all U.S. economic sectors.

Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2009 were equivalent to 6,633 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. The report indicates that overall emissions have grown by more than 7.3 percent from 1990 to 2009. Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. These numbers reflect the most up to date data at the time of publication.

The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2009 tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions at the national level and presents historical emissions from 1990 to 2009. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by “sinks,” e.g., through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation and soils.

This inventory, prepared in collaboration with federal agencies, is the latest submitted by the United States to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC sets an overall global framework for nations to address climate change. The final report takes into consideration comments received from stakeholders across the country.

 

Spill Berms – What you dont know can certainly hurt you!

Not all spill berm fabrics have the same chemical compatibilities or punctures resistance. All the differences between fabrics can be confusing. How do you know what type is right for your application? How can you compare prices fairly without knowing if you are making a like comparison? Some companies offer berms that look similar, but on further inspection, the sameness ends quickly. Purchasing the most inexpensive containment berm can cause problems down the line and that could be in as soon as the first time the berm is deployed.

What is the first question to ask when making a berm purchase?

When installing a berm there are many considerations, but one of the most important questions to ask is what is the berm going to contain? The type of liquid that might be spilled is the million-dollar question. The answer to this question will guide you to the type of fabric best suited for your job. Let’s say that you are containing fuels from a transfer process. A coated fabric, such as XR-5 will hold up to containing fuels for years as opposed to a non-coated film such as polyethylene, commonly known as PE. PE is used primarily for pond liners, though it is sold in berm designs. Polyethylene for spill berm deployments should be a one-off use as PE is not a lined or coated fabric and will become brittle, in addition to being crack prone under certain conditions. Yes, PE offered berms are be vastly cheaper to purchase, but at what cost in the end? Can you afford the risk management with a berm that will not hold up under hostile or rigorous conditions? What would a spill cost in terms of fines? That very cheap berm is probably looking very expensive right about now.

The next level of fabric for consideration is PCV. This fabric is a great light duty item. It has acceptable chemical resistance, acceptable oil resistance and will last for a year or two under the right conditions. A wash down station for boats would be a prime example of a PVC coated material containment job. Using PVC fabric for temporary storage during moving or reconfiguration processes would be acceptable uses for a lightweight fabric type. Hydrocarbons break down PVC in a short period and cause the fabric to become rigid so cracking can occur. Tears can be an issue if there is going to be constant movement in and out of a PVC containment device, this fabric will not stand up to consistent abrasive use. It is affordable and perfect for a myriad of uses. PVC can be a great option if your project is carefully orchestrated. The mantra to remember is tears can equal fines.

If you are risk adverse, or have a project that requires a spill berm that is going to take a beating, then the industry standard fabric is XR-5. This fabric happens to be the standard for military applications as well. If you are in need of strength, puncture and tear resistance, this geomembrane will deliver. If your application requires heavy abrasion to the fabric like hundreds or even thousands of drive over or in and out events, XR-5 could be the best choice. It has a proven 25-year record of accomplishment and deployed worldwide in every application imaginable. It has superior chemical and fuel resistance in addition to the ability to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.  If you need high tensile strength, this fabric can provide up to 550 lbs of it and up to 650 lbs puncture resistance compared to 300 lbs of strength and 200 lbs of puncture resistance for 45 mil PE. The XR-5 fabricated berm is going to perform much better and much longer. Again, no tears can equal no fines.

How can I reduce my Liability?

There are many types of fabrics used in the manufacture of spill containment berms and not all are equal. Even some side-by-side comparisons fail to educate the consumer about what the inherent risks are when using the wrong fabric for the application. Performing due diligence during a risk management assessment of spill berm fabrics is essential. Liability factors do not always present themselves during the request for proposal phase of the buying cycle. In order to ask the right questions, one must first know which questions to ask.  Remember to ask about the fabric type used when making a spill berm purchase. Your supplier can be a vast resource and a knowledgeable partner. If you find that your questions are not being answered with technical expertise, then a second opinion is warranted. Find a supplier who demonstrates deep knowledge of chemical compatibility and is experienced in the manufacturing process of the berm itself.  It might just save you significantly in the future.

 

Some good environmental news.

Find out of your business can become a Green Power Partner

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its list of the top 50 partner organizations using the most renewable electricity to help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and protect people’s health. Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower. Purchases of green power help accelerate the nation’s voluntary green power market and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants that threaten Americans’ health from the power sector.

EPA’s Green Power Partnership’s largest single purchaser of green power, Intel Corporation, increased its commitment by nearly doubling its annual green power usage to more than 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the largest green power purchase to date in the partnership, and is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) emissions from the electricity use of more than 218,000 average American homes.

“EPA’s Green Power partners are tapping into America’s growing clean energy market and powering the economy of the future,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson on Tuesday. “Investments like these are smart for business, foster growth in the green energy sector and help protect our health through cleaner air.”

Kohl’s, second on the national top 50 list, joined Intel as the only two partners using more than 1 billion kWh of green power. Kohl’s increased its green power purchase to more than 1.4 billion kWh of green power annually. Staples more than doubled its green power commitment and Sony Corporation of America nearly doubled its green power purchase. Best Buy, Suffolk County, N.Y., and Drexel University are all making first time appearances on the national top 50 list. Collectively, these top 50 partner organizations are using more than 13.5 billion kWh of green power annually, equivalent to the CO2 produced from the electricity use of more than 1.1 million average American homes.

EPA’s Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,300 partner organizations to voluntarily purchase green power to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. Overall, partners are using more than 19.2 billion kWh of green power annually, equivalent to avoiding the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of nearly 1.7 million average American homes.

 

Spill Berms dont quack, or do they?

Duck Ponds – An Economical Spill Berm Option

The term duck pond may not conjure up the image of a safety item, but that is exactly what the intention of this pond is. Duck ponds are slang terms for spill berms, a certain type of spill berm usually. This type of spill containment device is a quick grab item, something that is solid and rugged, but meant for smaller areas and rapid deployment.

What are some uses for a Duck Pond?

• Contain a 55 or even 95 gallon drums that are having leak issues.
• Trucks or tractor-trailers that are required to have emergency drip or leak abatement on hand could use it.
• A substitute for a pop up pool if the pool had too high of a profile to fit under a leaking machine.
• If there was a need to slip something quickly under a dripping vehicle or piece of equipment.
• While changing oils or fluids.
• While dispensing liquids to protect the surface below.
• Performing maintenance on any item that has a spill potential.

Are Duck Ponds Easy to use?

The duck pond is extremely handy as it rolls up and fits in self-contained strapping. The footprint is small enough to toss under a truck seat or behind the front seat of most vehicles. The design beauty of the device is the simplicity, just unfold and it is ready to perform. The unit is typically made out of chemical resistant PVC, and can hold up to a myriad of liquid spills such as oil, gasoline, diesel, biofuels as well as other substances. The item can contain up to 90 gallons and comes in sizes ranging from 2 ft x 2 ft x 6 inches deep to 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 inches deep. The corners are welded together allowing easy fold up once the job is done.

Due to the Duck Ponds low profile, it can fit under many places that a traditional berm with stays cannot. The sides are made of non- memory foam that can be compacted and then re-form to the original shape. It is very malleable without giving up reliability and strength. There is a lot of safety in this one neat little package. An additional benefit is the cost. Duck Ponds are much more affordable than a standard berm with stays. If you need a spill containment berm that can be rolled up and tossed in a vehicle or a spill locker, this item might be right for the job.