Environmental Regulations and Agricultural Lending

A cross-functional team of environmental regulatory experts, plant managers, and plant engineers have been working since 1991 on the development, implementation and maintenance of the Environmental Compliance Management System. The Environmental Compliance Management System is a practical and accurate method of determining the applicability of the state and federal environmental regulations and of establishing standard and straightforward procedures to meet these requirements. The Environmental Compliance Management System allows individual manufacturing facilities to avoid the additional manpower that would be required to read, digest and decide on the applicability and plan of action to meet the requirements of all the environmental regulations.

Toxicologists are often called upon to assist in environmental, industrial, occupational and public health assessments. Accordingly, medical toxicologists may find it prudent to be aware of applicable federal toxicological regulations and reporting requirements and of the roles of relevant federal agencies. These regulations are numerous, complex, and have evolved and expanded over time, making it difficult for toxicologists to sustain a current knowledge base. This article reviews the pertinent federal toxicological reporting requirements with regards to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Department of Transportation, and information about the National Response Center. We reference internet-based government resources and offer direct links to applicable websites in an attempt to offer rapid and current sources of practical information. The format of the article is a series of hypothetical scenarios followed by commentary. Discussions of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act are beyond the scope of this paper. For those desiring a more in depth discussion of the relevant federal environmental laws and statutes, and applicable case law, the reader is directed to resources such as the Environmental Law Handbook, the websites of individual laws found at www.epa.gov and the decisions of individual courts of appeal. It is our hope that this article provides not only useful practical information for the practicing toxicologist, but also serves as a key reference for Medical Toxicology core content on environmental laws and regulations.

Produced water accounts for greater than 80 percent by volume of the residual material generated in the natural gas industry. Cost-effective and environmentally acceptable disposal of these waters is critical to the continued economic production of natural gas. The Gas Research Institute (GRI) has recently completed a comprehensive assessment of the demographics of produced water characterized according to volumes and geographic location of the gas producing geologic provinces of the United States. This information in association with both the federal and state environmental regulations has been used to identify potential cost-effective produced water treatment research opportunities which are described in this paper. The study involved the use of a computer-based engineering-economic model, Produced Water Management Options Model (PWMOM), which combines engineering process models with a cost performance data base to predict the economics of a spectrum of unit water treatment processes and treatment trains. Various produced water scenarios, i.e., volumes, qualities and regulatory requirements, were evaluated and categorized to focus on the natural gas producing regions of the U.S. where produced waters could be surface discharged under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Residual brines from produced water treatment would continue to be injected. Unit process technologies evaluated include deoiling (removal of free oil & grease), iron removal, dissolved organic removal (soluble organic treatment) and partial demineralization. Federal and state regulations were reviewed to identify where surface discharge could be or has been practiced to determine where cost-effective treatment could increase the opportunity for non-injection disposal alternatives. To complete this analysis, surface treatment costs were generated with PWMOM and compared to deep well injection costs. Costs for deep well injection were generated using Salt Water Injection Model (SWIM), a model developed by GRI earlier in this research project. Promising technologies that have been identified include aerobic biological oxidation using fluidized beds, partial demineralization using electrodialysis and reverse osmosis, and a natural freeze-thaw evaporation process for cold climates. Laboratory and pilot studies that have been initiated to evaluate these processes are described here. Additional surface water discharge opportunities may exist where beneficial use such as irrigation or watering livestock is possible and where treatment will ensure that the release to surface waters will not violate water quality standards.

The Problem Oil Pit (POP) multiagency effort in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VIII and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region VI has resulted in success at remediating and cleaning up hundreds of oil covered pits in oil production fields in six western states. The installation of exclusionary devises at many of these pits will ensure the safety of birds and wildlife for years to come. A heightened awareness of environmental protection standards and regulations by the oil and gas exploration and production industry will increase compliance and enhance management of facilities in an environmentally protective manner toward public health and resources for future generations. In this effort, the federal, state, and tribal partners used their own regulatory tools on the problems and compliance issues encountered. This poster presentation will highlight the achievements of the POP effort by showing photographically and statistically the results of the POP effort: sites cleaned up, abatement of threats to birds and wildlife by exclusionary devices installed, and achievement of compliance with federal, state, and tribal environmental regulations.

The 2020 Annual Site Environmental Report (ASER) summarizes the Pantex Plant’s status, data, and efforts for the environmental compliance, protection, and restoration programs. It has been prepared in accordance with DOE Order 231.1B, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting (DOEa), and DOE Order 458.1, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment (DOEb). These orders outline the requirements for environmental protection programs at DOE facilities to ensure that programs fully comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, executive orders, and DOE policies.

The Hanford Site environmental report is prepared annually for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in accordance with regulatory requirements. The report provides an overview of activities at the site; demonstrates the status of the site’s compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, executive orders, and DOE policies and directives; and summarizes environmental data that characterize Hanford Site environmental management performance. The report also highlights signifi cant environmental and public protection programs and efforts. Some historical and early 2008 information is included where appropriate.

Chapter Two - Environmental Laws and Regulations

Continued compliance of Hanford operations with all applicable state and federal environmental regulations, with the exception of suspended particulates from several steam power plants, was demonstrated by the environmental and effluent data collected during 1978. Included in the environmental data collected were measurements of external radiation, and radionuclide analyses of air samples, Columbia River water, other surface waters, wildlife, soil, and vegetation. Periodically all roadways, railways, and active as well as retired waste disposal sites were surveyed to detect any abnormal levels of radioactivity.

US Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5400.1, ``General Environmental Protection Program,`` establishes environmental protection program requirements, authorities, and responsibilities for DOE operations. These mandates require compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental protection regulations. During calendar year (CY) 1996, environmental protection and monitoring programs were conducted at the Nevada Test Site and other DOE Nevada Operations Office (DOE/NV)-managed sites in Nevada and across the US. A detailed discussion of these environmental protection and monitoring programs and summary data and assessments for environmental monitoring results are provided in the DOE/NV Annual Site Environmental Report-1996 (ASER), DOE/NV/11718-137. This document provides summary data results and detailed assessments for the environmental monitoring conducted for all DOE/NV-managed sites in CY1996.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the judgment handed down in Civil Appeal No. 14586/2001, with the aim of investigating the evolution of environmental concerns and the nature of regulations designed to protect the environment. Theoretical Framework: Theoretically, we highlight the Collective Rights and Constitutional Principles that support the Environment, from the theoretical perspective of Lima (2006). An understanding of the three phases in the evolution of recognizing the normativity of principles: jusnaturalism, juspositivism and post-positivism, based on Magalhães Filho (2004). The role of principles in environmental legislation, based on Lima (2006) and Magalhães Filho. The evolution of fundamental rights, based on Garcia (2006), Bonavides (2017) and Magalhães Filho (2004). Collective actions, based on Lima (2006) and Garcia (2006). It deals with environmental protection and the framework of environmental moral damage, taking Ferreira Filho (2004) and Lima (2006) as references. And finally, it deals with collective environmental moral damage, based on Garcia (2006), Ferreira Filho (2004), Lima (2006) and Magalhães Filho (2006). Method: The methodology used in this work was based mainly on bibliographical research, focusing on the study of the related ruling, in addition to consulting books, articles, magazines and other specialized publications in search of answers to the problem presented, with the aim of deepening knowledge on the subject. Results and Discussion: The analysis of the evolution of environmental damage and the approaches to liability, as documented in the unanimous decision in Civil Appeal No. 14586/2001, revealed significant progress. The existence of collective environmental moral damage, supported by constitutional principles, is evident, as is the acceptance of this concept by national legislation and case law. Finally, the article pointed out the ways of repairing collective environmental moral damage, highlighting the importance of promoting efforts to solve this problem. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of study of Environmental Law. These implications may cover Environmental Civil Liability, Environmental Damage, Collective Moral Damage, as well as Environmental Reparation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by pointing out ways of repairing collective environmental moral damage, highlighting the importance of promoting efforts to solve this problem.

: The United States (US) Army and the other services are mandated to comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Recent concerns over potential human exposure to depleted uranium (DU) at US Army test ranges, primarily, have resulted in research into numerous innovative remediation technologies. Developing methods and processes for estimating the life cycle costs (LCC) of implementing these various techniques is important in identifying cost-effective solutions. Total ownership costs (TOC) models were developed for four candidate alternatives using two new technologies; Alternative 1- Physical Separation and Chemical Treatment; Alternative 2- Selective Excavation; Alternative 3- Selective Excavation with Physical Separation and Chemical Treatment; Alternative 4- Containment and Monitoring. The team chose a generic sandy soil site roughly 10 miles square for cost estimates. A bottom up estimate was applied to all alternatives in order to get a baseline cost; Alternative 3 had the best estimate for an efficient and effective remediation method. A cost estimating relationship was generated and simulation-based costing (SBC) was then applied to Alternative 3. Lastly, two alternatives were evaluated for DU remediation of catchboxes. Identifying the key cost drivers from SBC modeling is significant to future investments in research and development.

An experimental laser ignition system has been developed for the M230 cannon used on the Apache helicopter. This high-rate of fire (625 rounds/minute) chain gun provided many design challenges including a complex optical path, limited available space, high levels of shock and vibration and a maximum allowable cartridge functioning time of 4 ms. In order to satisfy this time limit with laser ignition, a subprogram was developed to explore laser sensitive, fast-acting energetic materials with good ignition transfer properties. Annual consumption rates in excess of 500,000 rounds per year in training dictated that ultimate ammunition production costs be considered in all design alternatives. Environmentally benign (green) materials are being required by federal and state environmental regulations and standards and were factored into the new optical ignition system design. Both newly developed nano energetics and other pyrotechnic materials have been explored to fill this requirement. The development of the system and components is described in this paper from the firing of Mann barrel (single shot) fixtures to optimize cartridge performance, single-shot firing of the cannon using fiber-optic and optical-train light paths, culminating in a demonstration firing of the automatic cannon at its full rate of fire for a 10-round burst. The remaining technical challenges and future direction of the program are presented.

The PNNL Annual Site Environmental Report for Calendar Year 2012 was prepared pursuant to the requirements of Department of Energy (DOE) Order 231.1B, "Environment, Safety and Health Reporting" to provide a synopsis of calendar year 2012 information related to environmental management performance and compliance efforts. It summarizes site compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, policies, directives, permits, and orders and environmental management performance.

Distinguished Author Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not specialists in the topics discussed. Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area, these articles provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the technology. Purpose: to inform the general readership of recent advances in various areas of petroleum engineering. Summary In 20 years, a complex body of environmental laws, regulations, and decisions has been established in the U.S. Basic knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and management techniques is now necessary for design, construction, and operation of oilfield facilities. Environmental permits are on the critical path and could significantly affect project viability or the cost path and could significantly affect project viability or the cost of doing business. In California and many other states, resource development projects face complex and voluminous environmental regulations. Because of these permitting obstacles and the competition for the available permits, early environmental planning is necessary if a project is to be successful and if costs and future liabilities are to be minimized. This paper reviews eight federal environmental laws, significant events that affect our daily business, and the reasons why environmental management must be integrated in our" business as usual" work decisions to minimize future (hidden) liabilities. Introduction Line managers and operating personnel are responsible for environmental protection in a company's operations. To carry out this responsibility effectively, these personnel must have a good working knowledge of all environmental laws, regulations, and policies that apply to their activities. Eight federal laws may policies that apply to their activities. Eight federal laws may affect our daily oilfield operations in the U.S. Most of these laws provide civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance. If you ignore the law, you risk personal fines and possibly a prison term. Therefore, what you don't know will most possibly a prison term. Therefore, what you don't know will most likely end up hurting you and your company. This paper discusses several examples of the possible monetary consequences when a cleanup remedy is imposed by outside parties. Any waste generation or discharge of contaminants into the environment has the potential for future liability. Environmental management programs reduce the potential for undesirable surprises and minimize this hidden liability. These environmental programs consist of assessments, waste minimization, recordkeeping, documentation, and up-to-date training. These programs are briefly reviewed. The assessment program will help ensure that personnel at each operating facility know and are meeting their obligations and responsibilities under the law. If you are responsible for environmental protection, it is in everyone'sinterest for you to do a good job. Important Environmental Statutes Most corporations' environmental policies charge line managers with the responsibility for environmental performance of their activities. The policies also state that every employee is expected to carry out the spirit and the letter of these policies. Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations is necessary for line managers and engineers who control the operations and installations. In some cases, state requirements can be even more restrictive than federal regulations.

This chapter examines environmental law in the United States. It begins with a discussion of the US approach to environmental law, describing it as a system striving for balance, including balance in terms of the allocation of powers between federal and state legislatures. The chapter provides an overview of the constitutional bases of US environmental law, delegation of authority to regulatory agencies, and environmental regulation in relation to private property. It then considers the structure and substance of environmental law, focusing on five pieces of legislation: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The chapter concludes with an analysis of the implementation framework and how it affects environmental law in practice, taking into account the role of agency authorities, administrative enforcement, civil remedies, criminal sanctions, and relevant provisions on citizen suits.