The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. governmental agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment. It conducts research, monitor and set standards on air and water pollution, and inform and educate the public about environmental issues. In addition, the EPA frequently releases rules and regulations aimed at ensuring minimal environmental impact from human activities.
In the late 1960's, after mounting concerns about human impact on the nation's environment, the EPA was established by Executive Order and confirmed by the House and Senate in order to create a single government agency whose purpose was to monitor the environment and set standards to ensure it’s protection. The agency started operations on December 2nd, 1970.
The EPA is led by an Administrator appointed by the President and approved by Congress. It is based in Washington, D.C. and has ten regional offices, 27 laboratories, and over 15,000 full time employees. Moreover, it is authorized to impose fines and sanctions on those in violation of EPA regulations.
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November/December 2014 Inspectioneering Journal
By Marc McConnell, P.E. at Pro-Surve Technical Services, Josh Yoakam at Holly Refining and Marketing - Tulsa, LLC, and Jeannie Beth Richey at Sasol North America, Inc.
The role of an API inspector is rapidly changing. Necessary skills for success have transformed as technology, standardization, and regulations have become part of the way of life. |
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May/June 2014 Inspectioneering Journal
By Kelly Lagana at BLR
Several catastrophic spills over the past few years have sparked significant interest in oil spill prevention across the industry. Not only do facilities with large amounts of oil want to prevent environmental damage, loss of product, and civil lawsuits, but, assuming their operations are based in the United States, they must also comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. |
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July/August 2011 Inspectioneering Journal
On October 7, 2010, EPA maintained the November 10, 2010 compliance date for drilling, production or workover facilities that are offshore or that have an offshore component, and for onshore facilities required to have and submit Facility Response Plans (FRPs). However, EPA extended the compliance date an additional year for all other facilities to amend or develop a SPCC Plan until November 10, 2011. |
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November/December 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
By Philip Myers at Chevron Texaco
The purpose of the new SPCC rule is two-fold; i.e. to prevent oil spills from occurring and to respond to them if they do occur. We believe that few will argue that prevention is far better and less costly than response in general. The focus of this paper is to highlight how the new SPCC invokes existing industry standards as a requirement for implementation at all covered facilities in an effort to prevent spills. In particular, we focus on the most important industry standards that are required to prevent spills from occurring in existing facilities. Since the SPCC rule does not specifically identify any required standards the task of figuring out which standards are applicable and must be implemented is a challenging one. There are at least a hundred industry standards related to tanks and terminal facilities. |
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May/June 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the report on this catastrophic failure that involved two storage tanks in a Pennsylvania refinery. The report issued March 20, 1998, stated that while both tanks had roof replacements since their initial construction, no further information was available about routine inspection or maintenance procedures. |
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May/June 1995 Inspectioneering Journal
By Paul Pausky at F.B. Dunn & Associates, Inc., and Mark Fitzgerald at F.B. Dunn & Associates, Inc.
Equipment maintenance methods and philosophies continue to evolve. What has taken many by surprise is the rate of change and the sense of urgency that now surrounds issues related to Mechanical Integrity (MI) in the field of maintenance management. |
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Partner Content
Our proprietary furnace tube inspection system, FTIS™, is an ultrasonic inspection technology capable of rapid, automated fired heater coil inspection in refinery fired heaters. The data captured by our furnace tube inspection system is exceptionally powerful when combined with our LifeQuest™ remaining life assessment capabilities, providing an integrated solution set for refinery fired heaters in the refining and chemical industries. |
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Partner Content
Offshore platforms are exposed to some of the roughest conditions on earth and require regular attention to ensure they are structurally sound and safe for continued operation. With so many components and major joints at elevated locations, it is clear why a well-trained rope access technician can be an invaluable resource for offshore operators. |
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News
The Hill, February 15, 2017
Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States declined by 2.2 percent in 2015, EPA officials reported on Tuesday |
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Reuters, July 22, 2016
A pipeline owned and operated by Husky Energy has ruptured and leaked approximately 1,500 barrels of heavy crude oil into the North Sakatchewan River according to Canadian officials. |
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Reuters, July 20, 2016
The U.S. Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. units of Enbridge Inc. have reached a settlement under which the pipeline company will pay $177 million after a 2010 oil spill that released crude oil in Michigan and Illinois. |
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, November 20, 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice today announced a settlement with HollyFrontier Corporation resolving alleged Clean Air Act violations regarding fuel quality emissions standards and testing requirements at three HollyFrontier facilities. |
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News
US Chemical Safety Board, December 1, 2014
Today the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) formally announced that to “Modernize U.S. Process Safety Management Regulations” is the Board’s newest Most Wanted Safety Improvement, concluding that implementation of key federal and state CSB safety recommendations will result in significant improvement of Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations in the United States. |
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US CSB, August 1, 2013
I applaud the issuance of the Executive Order entitled, “Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.” Increased coordination, communication, and data collection amongst federal, state, tribal, and local agencies should result in action and assist community members and emergency responders in helping to prevent and respond to chemical incidents. |
