On Thursday, February, 25th, 2010, Triumvirate Environmental held a roundtable on Emerging hot topics for EH&S and Facilities Managers in Higher Education. The goal of the roundtable was to bring managers together to discuss many of the key topics that are on the tops of our minds.

The following topics were discussed. For more information please view our PowerPoint presentations or call your account manager.

'Regulatory Developments' with Rick Foote

Greenhouse Gases, CO2 Reporting, Clean Air Programs

• The best resource for additional information can be found on the DEP website. This will help you determine whether your institution will need to comply. (http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/laws/ghgreg.htm)

Stormwater Regulatory Planning

• The MA DEP has not made any new updates and has not set a date to roll out the new regulation. This is due in part to the overwhelming response to public comments, which are still being reviewed.

GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals)

• Over the next year the United States will be adopting this new standard for identifying chemicals and their hazards. This has taken more time than originally thought as it impacted DOT, EPA, and OSHA as well as many private organizations. This standardization will unify the entire world with one system. Your MSDS will now become an SDS.

Lab Rule Adoption - What is Massachusetts going to do?

• MA will adopt during its next regulatory update package. It is unclear if they will amend EPA's compliance language or make it more strict.

• CT is not likely to adopt until the end of 2010 when they roll out their new regulatory package.

• RI and VT will most likely not adopt

• NH and ME are on the fence as to whether they will adopt

PCB in caulking

• There was a good discussion on whether or not to test caulking prior to removal. One thing for certain is that the landfills, where construction and demolition debris are going, will be testing. Please refer to our PCB landing page as the go to source of information for issues concerning PCB's in caulking. PCB Consulting Services
  

DEP Enforcement action updates

• The DEP will continue to audit schools in 2010 per their grant with EPA. If your school was found out of compliance in the last two years, you should expect a visit to follow up on those items. If your school has just completed a new science building, you should expect a visit. In 2009, most audits were multi-media based while the rest were focused primarily on clean air act compliance. In 2010, expect the focus to remain the same. However, expect more time spent on Universal Waste compliance.

New 3rd Party UST testing requirements

• By Aug 8th, 2010 your school will need to have its UST inspected by a third party inspecting company. DEP has stated that the inspector cannot be the routine vendor who manages the tank nor an employee of the institution. Heating oil UST's are exempt. Schools that have onsite gasoline/diesel refueling for motor pools are most likely to need this requirement met.

EPA's new Lead Paint requirement for residential properties

• If you have older residential housing on your campus that houses children under 6 years of age or you have other child occupying spaces (i.e. daycare), chances are, you will need to comply with this rule (i.e. certifications, licenses, training for employees and subcontractors) EPA-Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) 

Featured Speakers:

Rick Foote-Senior Environmental Compliance Manager for Triumvirate Environmental

Michael Benson-New England Director of Higher Education

Kevin Poulin-Senior Account Manager for Triumvirate Environmental