Environmental Compliance for Bio Facilities

Environmental compliance has become an increasingly significant part of bio facility operations and planning. Frequently, the operation of a facility is dependent on complying with regulatory programs and laws at both the state and federal level. Environmental permits are often a critical path to authorizing construction and operation of new or modified facilities. Once environmental permits are obtained and the facility is operating, compliance with environmental program rules and regulations begins.

Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory programs were established to protect human health and the environment. State and some local regulatory agencies manage and implement many of the federal programs, in additional to state or local-specific programs and regulations. When a facility is not in compliance with applicable regulations, they receive a violation and sometimes a fine. The facility must take corrective actions to improve the process in violation to comply with the standards or rules of the regulatory program. If they do not take these actions, they can be fined more or shut down, which could cause a financial burden or a delay in operations.

In order to stay in compliance, a bio facility will hire environmental specialists to review the facility’s potential impact on the environment, identify problem areas, recommend solutions, obtain permits, and keep them informed of regulatory developments. The list below includes example items that are considered when assisting a facility with environmental compliance.

• Management Systems- ISO 9001, 14001 & R2 Auditing, Implementation & Training
• State and Federal Environmental Review
• Natural Resource Surveys (Wetlands, Biological, Threatened & Endangered Species, etc.)
• Environmental Compliance Auditing
• Clean Air Act (CAA) Air Quality Permits
• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reporting
• Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure Planning and Facility Response Planning
• Risk Management Program Planning
• Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Industrial Discharges / Storm water
• Safe Driving Water Act (SDWA) Groundwater Wells
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Management
• Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Hazardous Waste Sites
• Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) Reporting
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Reporting
• State Fertilizer Rules
• Federal, State and Local Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Rules

Environmental consultants have expertise in environmental compliance for the regulatory programs and providing advice about systems in the permitting phase to make compliance attainable and reasonable for facility operations.

Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group, with over 100 highly qualified experts serving in all these areas. Take a look at our experts and the services we provide. Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.  See also:  Air Permitting in Bio Facilities and Confluence of Emissions Regulations Favor Renewable Energy Investment.