We are looking forward, envisioning a year of collaboration with clients and colleagues, working together on great projects in the field of environmental science.  Our services include – research, data collection and analysis, and regulatory support.

Chemical accident prevention continues to be a key program of interest.  In early 2016, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to update the Accidental Release Prevention requirements under section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act.  These requirements are also known as the Risk Management Program regulations for chemical process safety.  Proposed amendments from EPA are intended to enhance chemical safety by:

• Requiring the consideration of safer technologies and alternatives, including the assessment of Inherently Safer Technologies and Designs in the Process Hazard Assessment;
• Requiring third party audits and root cause analysis to identify process safety improvements for accident prevention;
• Enhancing emergency planning and preparedness requirements for coordination between facilities and local communities;
• Strengthening emergency response planning to help ensure emergency response capabilities are available to mitigate the effect of a chemical accident;
• Improving the ability of Local Emergency Planning Committees and local emergency response officials to better prepare for emergencies both individually and with one another;
• Improving access to information to help the public understand the risks at facilities.

Additional information about the proposed rule can be found at:

http://www.epa.gov/rmp/proposed-changes-risk-management-program-rmp-rule