--- title: Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog | STP | Jon Elliott (38) description: STP's blog giving insight into audit, compliance and risk issues for EHS, business and accounting. (38) --- [![Specialty Technical Publishers](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/STP-logo-white-orange.png)](http://www.stpub.com/) - [My Account](http://stponline.stpub.com) - 1-800-251-0381 # Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog ## Jon Elliott ### Recent Posts ## [EPA To Support Energy Independence By Easing Air Emission Regulation](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-to-support-energy-independence-by-easing-air-emission-regulation) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Nov 21, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Coal%201.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-to-support-energy-independence-by-easing-air-emission-regulation) In March 2017, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth,” which packaged a set of repeals and re-directions to move US federal policies firmly away from climate change and toward domestic fossil fuels. (I wrote about it [here](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-executive-order-rolls-back-obamas-climate-initiatives)). Among its many provisions, the EO directs federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to “review all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions (collectively, “agency actions”) that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources…” The EO also orders EPA to review several specific rules. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-to-support-energy-independence-by-easing-air-emission-regulation) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-to-support-energy-independence-by-easing-air-emission-regulation#comments-listing) ## [Government Accountability Office Encourages Federal Consideration of Climate Change Costs](https://blog.stpub.com/government-accountability-office-encourages-federal-consideration-of-climate-change-costs) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Nov 14, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Congress%205.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/government-accountability-office-encourages-federal-consideration-of-climate-change-costs) As I’ve discussed in recent blogs, President Trump’s executive agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are dramatically reducing federal attention to “climate change.” Obama-era initiatives are being terminated or reversed, and planning and communication are being reduced or eliminated. (For example, I noted in my recent discussion of EPA’s draft Strategic Plan, [here](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-moves-to-formalize-revised-strategies), that the draft does not mention the phrases “climate change” or “greenhouse gas” even once). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/government-accountability-office-encourages-federal-consideration-of-climate-change-costs) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/government-accountability-office-encourages-federal-consideration-of-climate-change-costs#comments-listing) Tags: [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [climate change](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/climate-change) ## [New York’s Legionella Program Hitting Stride](https://blog.stpub.com/new-yorks-legionella-program-hitting-stride) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Nov 07, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Tower.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/new-yorks-legionella-program-hitting-stride) Although Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements target hundreds of micro-organisms (primarily viruses and bacteria), important hazards remain unregulated. Many await definitive scientific conclusions, but others need testing and control methodologies that would allow requirements to be designed and administered, sufficient regulator and regulated entity resources, and/or high enough political priorities. Until recently, one of these unregulated pathogens has been the legionella bacterium, first identified in 1976 as the cause of “Legionnaire’s disease,” which appears as a form of pneumonia. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/new-yorks-legionella-program-hitting-stride) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/new-yorks-legionella-program-hitting-stride#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [OSHA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/osha), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) ## [EPA Delays Action to Update Rule Governing Lead in Drinking Water](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-delays-action-to-update-rule-governing-lead-in-drinking-water) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Oct 31, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Water%20glass%202.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-delays-action-to-update-rule-governing-lead-in-drinking-water) Since 1991, Safe Drinking Water Act’s (SDWA) Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) has required public water systems (PWSs) to take steps to protect their customers from hazardous levels of lead in drinking water. Even before the highly-publicized crisis in Flint, Michigan, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working toward LCR revisions that would update and expand these protective measures (continuing ongoing efforts that produced revisions in 2000 and 2007). In October 2016, EPA produced a White Paper announcing the “urgent need” for revisions, describing key issues and possible revisions, and projecting to propose extensive LCR revisions during 2017. However, since President Trump assumed office, EPA’s priorities are shifting and its resources are being reduced (for example, I wrote about EPA’s Back-to-Basics Agenda [here](https://blog.stpub.com/epas-back-to-basics-agenda)). Most recently, EPA’s formal agency-wide regulatory agenda now postpones the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) until January 2018 and a final rule until June 2019. While we await action, it’s worth considering how PWSs can reduce lead exposures, particularly since building owners and employers might consider improvements to plumbing and fixtures that could improve workplace water quality. ### **What Does LCR Require?** The LCR divides PWSs into three groups based on the numbers of customers served, and assigns tailored responsibilities for testing, corrosion control, source water treatment, and pipe replacement. The three groups are: [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-delays-action-to-update-rule-governing-lead-in-drinking-water) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-delays-action-to-update-rule-governing-lead-in-drinking-water#comments-listing) Tags: [OSHA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/osha), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [clean water](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/clean-water) ## [Businesses Using “Science-Based Targets” to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions](https://blog.stpub.com/businesses-using-science-based-targets-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Thu, Oct 26, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Factory-1.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/businesses-using-science-based-targets-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions) In December 2015, representatives of 195 countries agreed to continue to expand global efforts to combat climate change. The new Paris Agreement broke a longstanding impasse with a clever mixture of binding but unenforceable commitments, contemporary agreements, and ongoing agreements-to-agree (I wrote about the Agreement [here](https://blog.stpub.com/paris-agreement-continues-progress-on-climate-change)). Since then, analysts have estimated that full implementation of these national targets would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about half the amounts necessary to accomplish the Agreement’s stated goal by holding average global temperature increases below 2 o C. Incomplete national successes – President Trump’s decision to back off U.S. commitments is the first and most obvious example – would leave even more to be done. The Paris Agreement anticipated that sub-national governments and private organizations would contribute to global progress, by meeting and often exceeding national requirements (I wrote about formal United Nations programmatic expectations [here](https://blog.stpub.com/paris-agreement-on-climate-change-calls-for-action-by-non-national-entities)). One of the non-governmental efforts is the Science Based Targets Initiative, through which individual companies can set GHG-reduction goals. At latest report, over 300 companies participate. ### **What is the Science Based Targets Initiative?** The Initiative is a multi-sector collaboration among the following international organizations: CDP (formerly called the Carbon Disclosure Project), World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF; formerly World Wildlife Fund), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Participation in the Initiative is also identified as one of the commitments under the We Mean Business Coalition, which is another international business initiative. The Initiative defines “science-based targets” by reference to the Initiative’s effort to support the 2o C target (which the Initiative refers to as the “2°C pathway”): [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/businesses-using-science-based-targets-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/businesses-using-science-based-targets-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Greenhouse Gas](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/greenhouse-gas), [ghg](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ghg), [climate change](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/climate-change) ## [EPA Moves to Formalize Revised Strategies](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-moves-to-formalize-revised-strategies) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Oct 24, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Scott%20Pruitt%202.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-moves-to-formalize-revised-strategies) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has, by word and individual action, been moving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) away from President Obama’s aggressive agenda and toward President Trump’s preference for reduced activity. These have included a less-regulatory “Back-to-Basics Agenda,” which I described [here](https://blog.stpub.com/epas-back-to-basics-agenda). Now the agency is proposing to formalize these priorities in its strategic plan for the next four fiscal years, 2018-2022. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-moves-to-formalize-revised-strategies) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-moves-to-formalize-revised-strategies#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) ## [EPA Evaluating Superfund Policies](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-evaluating-superfund-policies) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Oct 10, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Demolition.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-evaluating-superfund-policies) One of new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Scott Pruitt’s many initiatives has been to change his agency’s approaches to cleanups under the national Superfund law. He announced several basic policy changes in May, and convened a Superfund Task Force to develop detailed recommendations. The task force issued its report late in July, offering 42 recommendations. These are summarized below. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-evaluating-superfund-policies) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-evaluating-superfund-policies#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [site auditing](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/site-auditing) ## [You May Be Getting More Labeling Information Soon](https://blog.stpub.com/you-may-be-getting-more-labeling-information-soon) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Oct 03, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Hazardous%20chemicals2.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/you-may-be-getting-more-labeling-information-soon) One of California’s longstanding amplifications of national environmental health and safety (EH&S) programs is provided by “Proposition 65.” I summarized these provisions [here](https://blog.stpub.com/proposition-65). As I described, the main thrust of this 1986 state enactment is to provide warnings about potentially hazardous chemicals, to customers, workers, and other “potentially exposed individuals." Prop 65 provides sample texts for warnings, including “safe harbor” text for product labels and in-store signage. After 30 years, the state is revising these safe harbors to be more informative. Revised safe harbor text became available for use August 30, 2016 and replace their expiring predecessors on August 30, 2018. Since we’re half way through this two year transition, it’s a good time to review. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/you-may-be-getting-more-labeling-information-soon) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/you-may-be-getting-more-labeling-information-soon#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [OSHA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/osha), [California Legislation](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/california-legislation), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) ## [Natural Disasters Remind Us To Review Emergency Plans](https://blog.stpub.com/natural-disasters-remind-us-to-review-emergency-plans) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Sep 26, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Hurricane%20Irma.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/natural-disasters-remind-us-to-review-emergency-plans) Although environmental health and safety (EH&S) regulations focus primarily on safe handling of materials and wastes during *routine* operations, reports following hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and the major earthquake in Mexico, should remind us to plan to prevent releases from non-routine situations, up to an including natural disasters. Press reports include the following: [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/natural-disasters-remind-us-to-review-emergency-plans) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/natural-disasters-remind-us-to-review-emergency-plans#comments-listing) Tags: [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental) ## [California Offers Liability For “Take Home Asbestos”](https://blog.stpub.com/california-offers-liability-for-take-home-asbestos) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Sep 19, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Asbestos.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/california-offers-liability-for-take-home-asbestos) The presence of “hazardous” materials in your workplace can trigger a wide variety of environmental health and safety requirements. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state worker protection agencies issue standards to protect workers during occupational handling and storage. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies issue requirements governing the management of hazardous wastes, and emissions to a variety of environmental media (air, water and land). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/california-offers-liability-for-take-home-asbestos) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/california-offers-liability-for-take-home-asbestos#comments-listing) Tags: [OSHA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/osha), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) [Previous](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott/page/37) [All posts](https://blog.stpub.com/all) [Next](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott/page/39) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe by Email ### Browse by Topic Area - [Accounting & Tax ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/accounting-tax) - [Business & Legal ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal) - [Corporate Governance  ](https://blog.stpub.com/author/?Tag=Corporate+Governance) - [Environmental ](https://blog.stpub.com/author/?Tag=Environmental) - [Global ](https://blog.stpub.com/author/?Tag=Global) - [Health & Safety ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety) - [Internet ](https://blog.stpub.com/author/?Tag=Internet) - [Transportation ](https://blog.stpub.com/author/?Tag=Transportation) ### Browse by Tag - [Environmental (344)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental) - [Business & Legal (309)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal) - [Environmental risks (300)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks) - [Health & Safety (296)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety) - [EPA (283)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) - [Terms & Conditions](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/STP-Terms-of-Use-Dec-20.pdf) - [Privacy Policy](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/STP-Privacy-Policy.pdf) - [License Agreement](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/STP-License-Agreement-Dec-20.pdf) - [Sitemap](http://stpub.com/sitemap) - [Support](http://stpub.com/support) © 2021 STP ComplianceEHS - All rights reserved