Showing posts with label audits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label audits. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2011

Iowa DNR Proposes To Formalize Compliance & Enforcement Actions

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing rule making to formalize the variety of informal compliance and enforcement options the DNR may consider in responding to possible violations of environmental statutes, rules, permits, licenses, certifications, and plans. The DNR has been using these or similar procedures for many years, and this rule making process intends to formalize the practice. The DNR is proposing a new administrative rules chapter, Chapter 9A: Compliance and Enforcement Procedures.

The Iowa DNR is requesting public input on an upcoming rule making effort and will collect suggestions or comments from the public regarding the proposed rule making until Friday, November 18, 2011.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Iowa to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.



For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Derelict Building Grant Program Funds Iowa Property Cleanup

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Financial and Business Assistance (FABA) Program has created the Derelict Building Grant Program. The program was established to assist small communities and rural counties in improving the attractiveness and appearance of their jurisdictions by providing them financial assistance to address derelict buildings. In accordance with the statutory requirement on how these funds are to be used the emphasis will be on landfill diversion through the recycling and reuse of building materials.

The eligibility requirements will entail the derelict building be located in a town or unincorporated county area of 5,000 residents or less and require the building to be owned or in the process of being owned by the town or county. The program will provide the following:

100% reimbursement for a certified Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) inspection.
100% reimbursement, not to exceed $5,000, for removing ACM. A 50% cost share is required for those costs exceeding $5,000.
100% reimbursement not to exceed $3,000 for conducting a Phase I Environmental Audit. Applicant is responsible for all costs exceeding $3,000.
50% reimbursement not to exceed $5,000 for conducting a Phase II Environmental Audit.
Building Renovation: If the building is going to be renovated, 50% reimbursement not to exceed $25,000 is available for offsetting costs related to removing materials for reuse, either at the site or offsite, or for recycling. The grant also compensates for the purchase and installation of reused or recycled materials that will be incorporated into the project.
Deconstruction: If the building is going to be deconstructed, 50% reimbursement not to exceed $50,000 is available for offsetting costs related to deconstruction. It is a goal of all deconstruction projects that 30% of the structure by weight be diverted from landfill disposal.
For every additional 10% of landfill diversion by weight above 30% that is documented upon completion of the project, Applicant cost share is reduced by 5% and grant award will increase accordingly. The maximum grant award for deconstruction projects shall not exceed $75,000.

The program is funded by the DNR’s Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) for the next three years. DNR is partnering with Keep Iowa Beautiful in the application and review process.


Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Iowa to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.




For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website



Thursday, February 3, 2011

Heat Loss Assessments Using Thermal Imaging


Thermal Infrared Camera Inspections

Thermal infrared cameras are rapidly becoming the high-tech standard for identifying specific areas where energy is being wasted at your facility on a daily basis. The benefits of thermal infrared inspections extend beyond the building envelope and help spot inefficient equipment, water leaks, mold, electric hazards and many other hidden problems.

Examples of how thermal infrared camera inspection can be used to help your facility save energy and money include:




  • Identify gaps and cracks in a building’s envelope where heat is escaping (winter) or infiltrating (summer).

  • Identify areas in the building envelope where insulation is missing or inadequate.

  • Identify which electric devices (such as motors) are running hot and are in need of maintenance.

  • Identify whether steam traps are operating inefficiently and are in need of maintenance.

  • Identify areas where piping insulation (hot water, steam or refrigerant) has deteriorated.


By using this new technology and working closely with facility maintenance staff, these inspections, together with the appropriate remedial actions, can help reduce energy costs while increasing safety and productivity by preventing problems from escalating into more costly repairs.





Caltha LLP provides expert energy efficiency and Certified Energy Manager services in Iowa including performing infrared camera assessments of buildings, systems and equipment, and energy audits.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Monday, December 13, 2010

Lender Liability Training - SBA Environmental Requirements

Seminar: Understanding Lender Environmental Liabilities and Environmental Review Requirements
Minnetonka, Minnesota
January 19, 2011


The session begins with an overview of relevant Federal and state environmental laws that impose financial obligations on Lenders and Borrowers, and potentially impact property value. The seminar then will discuss the use and limitations of the typical assessment tools, such as transaction screens, Phase 1 environmental site assessments, and the use of Reliance Letters. Next, the seminar will provide an overview of environmental review procedures and requirements of SBA. During the final session, case studies will be presented to emphasize the key concepts of Lender Environmental Liabilities.

Agenda

  1. Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Lender Environmental Liability
  2. Lender Liability Protection and Due Diligence Tools
  3. Overview of SBA Environmental Policies and Procedures
  4. Case Studies

For further information go to:
Understanding Lender Environmental Liabilities and Environmental Review Requirements

This half day training seminar is being provided for individuals who have responsibilities for managing liabilities associated with commercial lending, and those needing to meet environmental due diligence requirements prescribed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).


Sponsored by Caltha LLP, a leading provider of environmental due diligence services in Iowa

www.calthacompany.com

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Environmental Audit Policy, Audit Priviledge, Audit Immunity

Many companies and other regulated entities struggle to balance the benefits and risks associated with conducting environmental compliance audits, and more importantly, what to do if non-compliance issues are uncovered, especially in the context of environmental due diligence.

EPA and numerous States have enacted various “audit policies” to reduce the regulatory risks associated with compliance auditing. An “audit policy” generally applies to the settlement of claims for civil penalties for any violations under environmental statutes. It provides incentives (relief from penalties) when regulated entities discover, disclose, and correct certain types of violations. An audit policy may not cover all types of environmental violations and conditions may exist that limit its applicability.

List of some States with Self-Disclosure Audit Policies

An “audit policy” is different than “audit privilege” or “audit immunity”. A number of States have passed self-audit "privilege" and/or "immunity" laws. Most privilege laws protect the disclosure of audit reports. For example, in some states, under specified conditions, an audit report is not admissible as evidence in any civil or criminal proceedings. In most cases immunity state laws, under certain specified conditions, gives a person immunity from fines and in some cases criminal penalties related to non-compliance provided that when the information arises from a self-audit that person makes a voluntary disclosure to the appropriate agency. In exchange, companies may be required to implement pollution prevention and/or an environmental management system. EPA has clearly stated its opposition to statutory and regulatory audit privilege and immunity laws that exist in some states.

List of States with Audit Privilege and/or Audit Immunity Laws

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Iowa to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at

info@calthacompany.com

or

Caltha LLP Website

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Phase I Environmental Assessment - Phase 1 ESA In Iowa

Caltha LLP provides expert Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) in Iowa to meet All Appropriate Inquiry requirements. Our environmental assessment services include:
  • Phase I Environmental Assessment
  • Phase II Environmental Assessment - Site Characterization
  • Transaction Screening
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Environmental Review
  • Environmental Due Diligence
  • Property or Business Acquisition Review
  • Environmental, Health & Safety Compliance Audits

To request a quote to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or other assessments in Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa, go to: Caltha LLP Website


For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

EHS Training - RCRA HazCom SPCC SWPPP Auditing EMS

Caltha LLP offers a wide variety of Environmental Training courses developed to meet requirements of numerous regulatory programs.

Training is offered in a number of flexible formats, ranging from traditional classroom training presented periodically in different locations, to facility-level training conducted at individual sites to meet employee and/or contractor training needs. Caltha offers web-based and remote training options. Caltha also creates facility-specific training materials and conducts “train-the-trainer” sessions for facility training staff.

Caltha provides training in the following areas:
[Click on area to request information on upcoming training programs and training options]

RCRA - Hazardous Waste Generator (LQG) Training
HazCom - Hazard Communication Training
Stormwater Pollution Prevention - SWPPP Training [read more about State-specific SWPPP training]
Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure - SPCC Training
Internal Compliance Audit Training
Internal EMS Audit Training
Contractor Training Programs
Facility Environmental Regulatory Overview Course


For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/

Monday, January 19, 2009

Iowa Compliance Audits - New Rules for Prospective Buyers

Since 2000, US EPA has offered reduced enforcement for self-disclosure of environmental compliance violations. EPA’s policy document, “Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction, and Prevention of Violations” is commonly known as the “Audit Policy”. On August 1, 2008, the EPA published an interim approach to applying the Audit Policy to new owners that allows new owners to make a fresh start with the EPA.

With the interim approach, the EPA recognizes that a new owner should not be penalized for the economic benefit component relating to violations that arose before a facility was under its control, as long as the new owner is willing to correct issues promptly and institute preventive measures.

Some key elements of the interim approach include:

  • Defining a “new owner” to ensure that the violations disclosed originated with the prior owner, and that the new owner was not responsible for the non-compliance disclosed;
  • Extending the time for reporting for up to nine months after closing the transaction;
  • Relief from the economic benefit component of the penalty for new owners; and
  • Applying five of the nine qualifying conditions differently to the new owner.

One of the important aspects of this policy is that non-compliance at the Seller’s facility can be reported to regulatory agencies before or soon after property transfer. In making the disclosure, the new owner can make the previous owner responsible for penalties, etc., especially associated with economic benefit component, related to the non-compliance.

Caltha LLP conducts compliance audits and environmental management system audits for clients in Iowa.


For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/

Friday, January 9, 2009

EPA Audit Policy - Benefits To New Owners

Since 2000, US EPA has offered reduced enforcement for self-disclosure of environmental compliance violations. EPA’s policy document, “Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction, and Prevention of Violations” is commonly known as the “Audit Policy”. On August 1, 2008, the EPA published an interim approach to applying the Audit Policy to new owners that allows new owners to make a fresh start with the EPA.

With the interim approach, the EPA recognizes that a new owner should not be penalized for the economic benefit component relating to violations that arose before a facility was under its control, as long as the new owner is willing to correct issues promptly and institute preventive measures.

Some key elements of the interim approach include:

  • Defining a “new owner” to ensure that the violations disclosed originated with the prior owner, and that the new owner was not responsible for the non-compliance disclosed;
  • Extending the time for reporting for up to nine months after closing the transaction;
  • Relief from the economic benefit component of the penalty for new owners; and
  • Applying five of the nine qualifying conditions differently to the new owner.

One of the important aspects of this policy is that non-compliance at the Seller’s facility can be reported to regulatory agencies before or soon after property transfer. In making the disclosure, the new owner can make the previous owner responsible for penalties, etc., especially associated with economic benefit component, related to the non-compliance.

Caltha LLP conducts compliance audits and environmental management system audits in Iowa.

For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Website: http://www.calthacompany.com/