Tag: United States

Global Methane Initiative—A Trash to Treasure Story

Global Methane Initiative—A Trash to Treasure Story, Part 1   According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), methane “accounts for 14 percent of global GHG emissions with an estimated 7,196 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2E) of anthropogenic [manmade] emissions in 2010.” Although methane is emitted in smaller quantities than carbon dioxide (CO2) […]

Steam Electric Power Plant Proposed Rule—Before and After

Steam Electric Power Plant Proposed Rule—Before and After Right now, in the United States, there are approximately 1,200 steam electric power plants powered by nuclear or fossil fuels. Of these, about 500 are coal-fired and considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be the primary source of the pollutants addressed by the proposed […]

Before the Flood: UST Prep Tips

Before the Flood: UST Prep Tips One of the greatest natural threats affecting the United States is flooding that can result from a variety of events—from heavy rain to earthquakes and tsunamis to hurricanes. Floods can also result from man-made events like dam and levee breaches and poor stormwater management. Knowing what can happen and […]

Have Your Workers Take Safety Home for the Holidays

Off-the-job injuries and fatalities cost the country more than $500 billion, and cost employers more than 200 million lost workdays each year, according to the National Safety Council. And the holidays can be especially damaging, with the upswing in holiday travel and other holiday-related activities. Make sure that when the holidays are over, you get […]

Ebola. What can employers do?

With cases of Ebola happening in the United States and leading the news, employers may be wondering what they can do to prevent the disease in their workplaces. The federal government and some states are issuing guidance to help reduce the chances of transmission of infectious diseases, such as Ebola, from affecting their workers.

SPCC Applicability FAQs for Production, Drilling and Workover Facilities

SPCC Applicability FAQs for Production, Drilling and Workover Facilities Q: What different types of activities at non-transportation, onshore oil production, drilling and workover facilities are covered under the SPCC rule? A: The SPCC rule defines “facilities” as “any mobile or fixed, onshore or offshore building, property, parcel, lease, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, or pipeline (other […]

$2.8 Million Penalty for UST Violations in Fraud Settlement

$2.8 Million Penalty for UST Violations in Fraud Settlement In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cited a Dover, Delaware-based petroleum company for underground storage tank violations (USTs) at five of its gas stations in Maryland. In 2006, the complaint was settled, requiring the company to complete compliance measures for its USTs and imposing a […]

Hydraulic Fracturing Waste Streams—An Overview

Hydraulic Fracturing Waste Streams—An Overview Hydraulic fracturing for natural gas uses millions of gallons of water for each well and during the life of the well, a large percentage of that water returns to the surface and becomes a waste stream. In the vernacular of hydraulic fracturing, there are two types of water resulting from […]