--- title: Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog | STP | EHS (3) description: EHS | STP's blog giving insight into audit, compliance and risk issues for EHS, business and accounting. (3) --- [![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 ## [Department of Justice Reemphasizes its Disfavor for Supplemental Environmental Project Agreements with State and Local Governments](https://blog.stpub.com/department-of-justice-reemphasizes-its-disfavor-for-supplemental-environmental-project-agreements-with-state-and-local-governments) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Oct 15, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Department%20of%20Justice.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/department-of-justice-reemphasizes-its-disfavor-for-supplemental-environmental-project-agreements-with-state-and-local-governments) Since President Trump took office, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken repeated steps to restrict federal attorneys from negotiating settlements in which defendants agree to conduct “supplemental environmental projects (SEPs)” in exchange for reduced formal penalties for the noncompliance that led to the agency investigation and enforcement. Proponents see SEPs as a way to promote environmental and health values by encouraging defendants to undertake projects that wouldn’t occur otherwise in order to reduce or eliminate civil and/or criminal liability. Opponents see them as rogue efforts in which prosecutors substitute their own judgment for the statutory and regulatory directives that are supposed to guide their actions. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/department-of-justice-reemphasizes-its-disfavor-for-supplemental-environmental-project-agreements-with-state-and-local-governments) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/department-of-justice-reemphasizes-its-disfavor-for-supplemental-environmental-project-agreements-with-state-and-local-governments#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [clean water](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/clean-water) ## [EPA Decides Not to Require SPCCs to Address Hazardous Substance Spills](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-decides-not-to-require-spccs-to-address-hazardous-substance-spills) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Sep 24, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Stormwater.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-decides-not-to-require-spccs-to-address-hazardous-substance-spills) The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to define “oil” and “hazardous substances”, and includes requirements that EPA establish “procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent discharges of oil and hazardous substances from vessels and from onshore facilities and offshore facilities, and to contain such discharges….” (33 USC § 1321(j)(1)(C)) Since 1973, EPA has required owners and operators of non-transportation-related onshore and offshore facilities to establish and implement Spill Prevention, Countermeasure and Control (SPCC) Plans if they manage more than threshold levels of oils (I summarized these requirements [here](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/201232/EPA-May-Require-Spill-Prevention-Control-and-Countermeasure-Plan)). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-decides-not-to-require-spccs-to-address-hazardous-substance-spills) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-decides-not-to-require-spccs-to-address-hazardous-substance-spills#comments-listing) Tags: [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom), [effluent](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/effluent), [Stormwater](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/stormwater), [clean water](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/clean-water), [spcc](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/spcc) ## [Reporting EHS Releases – Responsibilities Continue Except For Some Farm Emissions](https://blog.stpub.com/reporting-ehs-releases-responsibilities-continue-except-for-some-farm-emissions) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Jul 16, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Cows.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/reporting-ehs-releases-responsibilities-continue-except-for-some-farm-emissions) Among its many provisions, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA, in this case Section 304) requires facilities to report releases of specified hazardous and extremely hazardous substances, if the release exceeds an applicable threshold reportable quantity (RQ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers these requirements, and has just approved an exemption for emissions from animal wastes at farms (this exemption tracks one amended into the Superfund law (CERCLA) in 2018). Other types of facilities and activities are still subject to these reporting requirements, so it’s a good time to review them. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/reporting-ehs-releases-responsibilities-continue-except-for-some-farm-emissions) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/reporting-ehs-releases-responsibilities-continue-except-for-some-farm-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), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Greenhouse Gas](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/greenhouse-gas), [ghg](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ghg), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) ## [EPA Takes Another Step To “Reform” Benefit Cost Analyses](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-takes-another-step-to-reform-benefit-cost-analyses) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Jul 09, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Regulation.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-takes-another-step-to-reform-benefit-cost-analyses) Since President Trump took office, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a number of steps to narrow benefit-cost analyses, reversing expansive approaches used during the Obama Administration and narrowing the scope of “justifiable” environmental and health regulations. The latest such step appears in a May 13 memorandum from EPA Administrator Wheeler to his Assistant Administrators. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-takes-another-step-to-reform-benefit-cost-analyses) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-takes-another-step-to-reform-benefit-cost-analyses#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) ## [California Proposes Universal Wastes Rules For Photovoltaics](https://blog.stpub.com/california-proposes-universal-wastes-rules-for-photovoltaics) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Jun 11, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Solar%20panels.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/california-proposes-universal-wastes-rules-for-photovoltaics) The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) assigns the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state hazardous waste agencies regulate “hazardous wastes,” including categories defined as “universal wastes” that are subject to reduced management requirements. EPA defines five categories, but also allows states to define additional categories (I wrote about this [here](https://blog.stpub.com/do-you-generate-universal-wastes)). California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has just proposed to add a new category of state-regulated universal waste covering “photovoltaic [PV] modules” to its regulations under the state’s Hazardous Waste Control Law (HWCL). The remainder of today’s blog summarizes these proposed universal waste PV requirements. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/california-proposes-universal-wastes-rules-for-photovoltaics) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/california-proposes-universal-wastes-rules-for-photovoltaics#comments-listing) Tags: [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), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom), [RCRA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/rcra) ## [Trump Administration Further Tightens Controls Over Agency Rulemaking](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-administration-further-tightens-controls-over-agency-rulemaking) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Apr 30, 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/Congress%202.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-administration-further-tightens-controls-over-agency-rulemaking) The Trump Administration has taken another step to centralize its control over federal agencies’ rulemakings and policy-setting. Rulemaking has always reflected tensions between the politicians who adopt laws, and the agency staff who interpret and apply them through formal rules and information guidance and procedures. Depending how entrenched career staff are in their agencies, there may also be tensions between the elected executive (President, governor, etc.) and his or her agencies, even after his or her appointees are nominally in charge. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-administration-further-tightens-controls-over-agency-rulemaking) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-administration-further-tightens-controls-over-agency-rulemaking#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) ## [Feds Formally Propose to Roll Back Future Auto Emission Standards](https://blog.stpub.com/feds-formally-propose-to-roll-back-future-auto-emission-standards) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Aug 21, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Traffic](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Traffic.jpg?width=194&name=Traffic.jpg)The Trump Administration has taken the next step toward rolling back automobile standards intended to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On August 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a joint proposal to replace emission standards previously adopted to tighten emission standards during model years 2021-2026, captioned the “Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.” The agencies present a formal proposal to extend existing emission standards through those years, but also seek comments on several variations on this proposal. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/feds-formally-propose-to-roll-back-future-auto-emission-standards) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/feds-formally-propose-to-roll-back-future-auto-emission-standards#comments-listing) Tags: [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Greenhouse Gas](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/greenhouse-gas), [ghg](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ghg), [CAA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/caa), [Transportation](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/transportation) ## [What’s In Your Janitor’s Closet? New York Seeks More Information](https://blog.stpub.com/whats-in-your-janitors-closet-new-york-seeks-more-information) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Aug 22, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Janitor.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/whats-in-your-janitors-closet-new-york-seeks-more-information) Even workplaces with very limited chemical use probably use cleaning supplies. If these supplies are bought in typical retail packaging intended for consumer use, the employer and employees may lack ready access to chemical content information beyond that on the labels. That’s because the Hazard Communication Standard (Hazcom) administered by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exempts consumer products in their final form for consumer use, unless worker use is greater than that by typical consumers. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/whats-in-your-janitors-closet-new-york-seeks-more-information) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/whats-in-your-janitors-closet-new-york-seeks-more-information#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), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) ## [Circuit Court Strikes Down Bush-Era Reporting Exemptions](https://blog.stpub.com/circuit-court-strikes-down-bush-era-reporting-exemptions) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, May 16, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Livestock.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/circuit-court-strikes-down-bush-era-reporting-exemptions) How long can a new President’s policy changes take? I’ve been writing about President Trump’s attempts to roll back environmental requirements, and cautioning that some changes can be fast (like immediate repeal of his predecessor’s executive orders regarding climate change) while others will require multi-year rulemakings to revise finalized regulations (like EPA’s review of the greenhouse gas emission limits under the Clean Air Act, both extremes appear in a recent Executive Order I discussed [here](https://blog.stpub.com/trump-executive-order-rolls-back-obamas-climate-initiatives)). On April 11 the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a reminder that regulatory changes can take a long time. The Court revoked several environmental reporting exemptions adopted by EPA in the last month of George W. Bush’s administration (December 2008, effective on the day of President Obama’s inauguration January 20, 2009) – culminating a year-long rulemaking and setting of 8 years of administrative and judicial appeals. So this regulation-reducing effort took 9 years to fail. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/circuit-court-strikes-down-bush-era-reporting-exemptions) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/circuit-court-strikes-down-bush-era-reporting-exemptions#comments-listing) Tags: [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [climate change](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/climate-change) ## [EPA Revises Hazardous Waste Generator Requirements – Part 1](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-revises-hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-part-1) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Thu, Feb 16, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/images/Haz%20waste%20Generator.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-revises-hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-part-1) In November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published substantial revisions to its hazardous waste regulations, which it entitles the “Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (HWGIR).” These include more than 60 changes to specific requirements, plus dozens of technical clarifications and corrections. Some requirements apply to nearly all generators, while others are targeted at one or more of three volume-based tiers. EPA has scheduled the revisions to take effect on May 30, 2017 – but it’s possible that some provisions will be reviewed and revised by the incoming Trump Administration before that date. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-revises-hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-part-1) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/epa-revises-hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-part-1#comments-listing) Tags: [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EHS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) [Previous](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs/page/2) [All posts](https://blog.stpub.com/all) [Next](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/ehs/page/4) ### 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/topic/?Tag=Corporate+Governance) - [Environmental ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Environmental) - [Global ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Global) - [Health & Safety ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety) - [Internet ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Internet) - [Transportation ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?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