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H-2 n Program Updates n Chemical list changes n Reporting form changes n TRI-ME Reporting Software n Form R submissions/revisions n Guidance (Key Information.

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Presentation on theme: "H-2 n Program Updates n Chemical list changes n Reporting form changes n TRI-ME Reporting Software n Form R submissions/revisions n Guidance (Key Information."— Presentation transcript:

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2 H-2 n Program Updates n Chemical list changes n Reporting form changes n TRI-ME Reporting Software n Form R submissions/revisions n Guidance (Key Information for Reporting) n EPA Audit Policy TRI UPDATE

3 H-3 EPCRA Reporting Center / TRI Data Processing Center n The operations for the TRI Data Processing Center are now managed under the Agencys new CDX Contract awarded to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). n The former EPCRA Reporting Center is now known as the TRI Data Processing Center. n The transition occurred in December 2002.

4 H-4 TRI Data Processing Center Contact Information - Address n For hand courier, certified mail, fed ex, UPS delivery: TRI Data Processing Center c/o Computer Sciences Corporation Suite 300 8400 Corporate Drive Landover, MD 20785 n For regular mail: TRI Data Processing Center P.O. Box 1513 Lanham, MD 20703-1513

5 H-5 TRI Data Processing Center Contact Information – Phone and Fax n The main number for the CDX Facility / EPA Reporting Center is 301-429-5005. The TRI Data Processing Center extension is on the voice tree selections. n The TRI fax number is: 301-429-8036.

6 H-6 Facility Data Profiles n In September 2003, EPA sent each facility an e- mail or letter informing them how to access their own TRI eFDP to make corrections, if necessary, to the data they submitted on or before July 1, 2003 for RY 2002. n Facilities that have not provided an e-mail address are strongly encouraged to do so. By providing an e-mail address, facilities will be notified when their eFDP has been updated and will also be notified of program updates. n For facilities who had problems accessing their FDPs, or did not have internet access, the following support was made available. FDP Support Hotline: 301-429-5005 E-mail: tri_efdp@csc.com

7 H-7 STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE n OEI conducted Phase I of the stakeholder process in an effort to enhance the TRI program and obtain input on the future direction of the program. n Comments were solicited for 60 days on how to: streamline the processing and release of data without impacting data quality; improve compliance assistance; and improve the public data release. n OEI initiated Phase 2, with a focus on burden reduction options for TRI reporting requirements. Comments were solicited until Feb. 4, 2004.

8 H-8 MOST RECENT CHEMICAL LIST CHANGES n Phosphoric acid deleted, effective RY 1999 n Chromium compounds qualifier added: (except for chromite ore mined in the Transvaal Region of South Africa and the unreacted ore component of the chromite ore processing residue (COPR)) (May 11, 2001) n Vanadium (except when contained in alloy) and vanadium compounds added, effective RY 2000 n Certain PBT chemicals added, effective RY 2000, in the PBT final rule (October 29, 1999; 64 FR 58666)

9 H-9 n Final rule designates lead and lead compounds as PBT chemicals (January 17, 2001; 66 FR 4500) Lead (except when contained in stainless steel, brass or bronze alloys): 100 pound threshold Lead compounds: 100 pound threshold Reporting under new rule began for RY 2001 MOST RECENT CHEMICAL LIST CHANGES

10 H-10 n Addition to Form R for RY 2002 Technical contact e-mail box n Several changes to the Form R were implemented for RY 2003: Part II, Section 5.5.3 – Surface Impoundments has been divided into 5.5.3A – RCRA Subtitle C Surface Impoundments and 5.5.3B – Other Surface Impoundments Part II, Section 8.1 has been divided into 8.1a – Total on- site disposal to Class I Underground Injection Wells, RCRA Subtitle C landfills, and other landfills; 8.1b – Total other on-site disposal or other releases; 8.1c – Total off-site disposal to Class I Underground Injection Wells, RCRA Subtitle C landfills, and other landfills; and 8.1d – Total other off-site disposal or other releases The M codes used in Column C of section 6.2 of the Form R have been updated. M63 (Surface Impoundment) was deleted and replaced by M codes M66 (RCRA Subtitle C Surface Impoundment) and M67 (Other Surface Impoundments). M71 (Underground Injection) was deleted and replaced by M codes M81 (Underground Injection to Class I Wells) and M82 (Underground Injection to Class II-V Wells). REPORTING FORM CHANGES

11 H-11 GUIDANCE n More recent TRI guidance documents for the following industries: Presswood and Laminated Products Industry Rubber and Plastics Manufacturing Printing, Publishing and Packaging Industry Textile Processing Industry Leather Tanning and Finishing Industry Semiconductor Industry Spray Application and Electrodeposition of Organic Coatings Food Processors

12 H-12 GUIDANCE Aqueous Ammonia Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds Category Chlorophenols Certain glycol ethers EBDC Hydrochloric acid aerosols Lead and Lead Compounds Mercury and Mercury Compounds Nicotine and Salts Nitrate compounds Pesticides and Other Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic (PBT) Chemicals Polychlorinated alkanes Polycyclic aromatic compounds Strychnine and salts Sulfuric acid aerosols Wafarin and salts

13 H-13 n The TRI-Made Easy (TRI-ME) Reporting Software was distributed originally as a pilot in RY 2000, and is currently available to all facilities. n At the present time, TRI-ME is distributed each reporting year via CD-ROM to all facilities who have reported to TRI in the last two reporting years. The software is also available as a download from EPAs website at www.epa.gov/tri. n The TRI-ME software is an interactive, intelligent, user-friendly software program that assists facilities in determining and completing their TRI reporting obligations. n TRI-ME allow users to access and search the softwares Assistance Library. TRI-ME is intelligently linked to the Assistance Library so that the user can view pre-selected TRI definitions and guidance from the Assistance Library that are relevant to specific TRI-ME screens. TRI-ME REPORTING SOFTWARE

14 H-14 TRI ASSISTANCE LIBRARY n The Assistance Library is contained within the TRI-ME software. The Assistance Library is a self-contained help system that includes: Electronic versions, or links to electronic versions, of the statutes, regulations, executive orders, chemical-specific guidance documents, and industry-specific guidance documents Keyword and full text search capabilities on these guidance documents Links to the EPA websites, including EPAs homepage, the TRI website, and other useful websites that will assist with TRI reporting

15 H-15 n Guides facilities in completing the Form R and Form A Certification Statement by explaining each element of the form through a questionnaire format. n Guides the user through the process of determining whether the facility must report based on the facilitys primary SIC code and the number of employees hours. Helps determine the primary SIC code. n Guides facilities through process of determining whether they exceed the chemical activity thresholds. n Allows expert TRI users to bypass most of the TRI-ME guidance and directly enter the data into the forms. TRI-ME REPORTING SOFTWARE

16 H-16 n Streamlines the completion of Form R (e.g., Part II, section 7A information on waste treatment methods). n Prevents facilities from making common errors while completing the Form R and Form A Certification Statement. n Checks (validates) the forms to identify critical errors that must be corrected before submitting the forms to EPA. Also, suggests potential errors for user review. n Allows users to print their forms on paper or to create a diskette, or to submit electronically. TRI-ME REPORTING SOFTWARE

17 H-17 TRI-ME REPORTING SOFTWARE n Recent Improvements to TRI-ME Enhanced load function, including loading from 3 rd party software, that populates more fields than previous versions of the software Reporting by part enabled State contact information tab Electronic submission with electronic signature

18 H-18 n Electronic submission of forms: Facilities who have filed in the last two years may submit electronically via EPAs Central Data Exchange (CDX), the Agencys central portal for environmental data New as of RY 2002, these electronic submissions use an electronic signature (mail-in of hard copy signed letter no longer required) n Security – Your information is protected by username and password (and secret question/answer) that you create n Provides burden reduction – saves time over conventional submission methods TRI-ME REPORTING SOFTWARE

19 H-19 n Check the TRI homepage at www.epa.gov/tri for current information. TRI-ME AND CDX SUPPORT

20 H-20 Reminder: n To be included in the TRI Explorer version distributed with the most current TRI data release, voluntary revisions must be submitted by July 31 of the same year as the reporting deadline FORM R SUBMISSIONS/REVISIONS

21 H-21 n Facilities may revise their forms by submitting forms via Central Data Exchange (CDX), magnetic media, or paper. However, the use of CDX will enable you to submit your revisions in the fastest, cheapest, and most accurate way through our paperless process. n How to Revise or Withdraw TRI Data instructions can be found on page 3 of the RY 2003 Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Reporting Forms and Instructions. Provide a new original signature and date for each revision n EPA encourages you to use TRI-ME to submit and revise your TRI submission(s) via the Internet. TRI- ME allows you to submit to EPA without the need for mailing any paper (electronic submission is not available for trade secret forms). If you choose to submit via the Internet, DO NOT send duplicate paper or diskette copies of the reports. Please be aware that submitting via the Internet to the USEPA does not satisfy your state reporting requirements for your facility. You must report to your state separately and in the required format specified by your state (i.e., diskette, paper, etc.) SUBMITTING REVISIONS

22 H-22 SUBMITTING REVISIONS Cont. n If you have any questions about the electronic submission process, call 888-890-1995 between the hours of 8:00AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time. For additional information about CDX, please see www.epa.gov/cdx/ n If using a Facility Data Profile (FDP), please follow the instructions provided in the FDP. FDPs can be found at www.tri_efdp.org. n If using a file copy Form R or Form A Certification to revise data, please make changes directly on the form with blue ink and check the revision box found on Page 1 of the Form R or Form A Certification Statement. Be sure to have the Certifying Official provide an original signature and date directly on the form under Part I, Section 3 for the Form R and Form A Certification Statement.

23 H-23 Reminder: n Form R submitted to replace previously filed Form A Certification Statement Considered to be a late submission of a Form R and a request for a withdrawal of the previously filed Form A Certification Statement Do not check the revision box! n For a change in the chemical reported (including a metal to a metal compound) you must withdraw the original submission and re-submit for the new chemical. This is not a revision. FORM R SUBMISSIONS/REVISIONS

24 H-24 Reminder: n Section 313 chemicals coincidentally manufactured (including from exempt otherwise use activities) must be considered towards the manufacturing threshold Acid aerosols and metal compounds manufactured as by-products of fuel combustion THRESHOLD GUIDANCE

25 n Acid reuse systems (sulfuric and hydrochloric acid only) Acid aerosol manufactured and otherwise used Simplified method of estimating quantity for threshold determination: Total Amount of + Total Virgin Acid Acid in Reuse System Added in RY = Amount Acid Aerosols Manufactured/Otherwise Used Acid Reuse System n See EPAs Guidance for Reporting Sulfuric Acid (Ref. 1) for specific calculations ACID AEROSOLS THRESHOLD GUIDANCE H-25 n Closed-loop acid reuse systems (sulfuric and hydrochloric acid only) Acid aerosol manufactured and otherwise used Simplified method of estimating quantity for threshold determination: Total Amount of +Total Virgin Acid Acid in Reuse System Added in RY = Amount Acid Aerosols Manufactured/Otherwise Used Closed-Loop Acid Reuse System n See EPAs Guidance for Reporting Sulfuric Acid (Ref. 1) and Guidance for Reporting Hydrochloric Acid (Ref. 6) for specific calculations

26 H-26 n Section 313 chemicals may be coincidentally manufactured during combustion of: Oil Coal Natural gas Waste Other materials THRESHOLD GUIDANCE - COMBUSTION

27 H-27 n Amount of metal compound manufactured is determined by the total weight of the compound, not the parent metal n Be comprehensive: include all metal compounds and all combustion units and any other activities that may manufacture metal compounds n Releases and other waste management estimates are based on the weight of the parent metal COMBUSTION & METAL COMPOUNDS

28 H-28 Reminder: n For threshold determinations, the definitions of manufacture, process, and otherwise use currently do not include Section 313 chemicals that are: Remediated Treated in wastes generated on site Stored Recycled on-site for use on-site Transfers sent off-site for further waste management (not including recycling) n These activities do not constitute threshold activities, but may not be exempt from reporting if threshold is exceeded through other activities unless specifically eligible for one of the reporting exemptions THRESHOLD GUIDANCE

29 H-29 Reminder: n Section 313 chemicals in gasoline used to refuel motor vehicles not operated by the facility are considered processed and do not qualify for the motor vehicle maintenance exemption n Laboratory activities exemption only applies to certain activities that take place in a laboratory n Chemicals manufactured during operation of a combustion engine do not qualify for the motor vehicle maintenance exemption, and must be included as part of manufacturing threshold calculations EXEMPTION GUIDANCE

30 H-30 RELEASE ESTIMATES n Helpful hints for accurate release estimates Always use your best available information Estimate the quantity of Section 313 chemical, not the entire waste stream Differentiate fugitive from stack emissions Zero air emissions for VOCs are unlikely Watch out for releases of Section 313 chemicals with qualifiers Check your math and document your work! n Result of release estimation errors Incorrect release estimates and inconsistencies from year to year

31 H-31 n Ammonia Requires threshold determination and release and other waste management quantity calculations for aqueous ammonia from any source (i.e., anhydrous ammonia placed in water or water dissociable ammonium salts) be based on 10% of the total ammonia present in aqueous solutions Anhydrous ammonia - include 100% for thresholds and releases »Including air releases from aqueous ammonia Effective RY 1994 AMMONIA GUIDANCE

32 H-32 n Water dissociable nitrate compounds category For threshold determinations, use the weight of the entire nitrate compound Calculate only the weight of the nitrate ion portion when calculating releases and other waste management quantities Nitrate compounds are produced most commonly when nitric acid is neutralized Includes compounds like sodium nitrate, silver nitrate, and ammonium nitrate NITRATE COMPOUNDS GUIDANCE

33 H-33 n Elemental metals and metal compound categories are separately listed chemicals under Section 313 Separate activity threshold determinations Report for each listing (e.g., nickel or nickel compound) only if the threshold for each listing is exceeded If threshold exceeded for both the elemental metal and metal category compound (e.g., nickel and nickel compounds), you have the option to report separately or file one combined report »If filing a combined report, file as metal category compound METALS AND METAL CATEGORY COMPOUNDS GUIDANCE

34 H-34 METAL CYANIDE COMPOUNDS GUIDANCE n A metal cyanide compound such as cadmium cyanide will require separate reporting under both cadmium and cyanide* For reporting the metal, use the entire weight of the compound for threshold determinations, and only the weight of the metal portion of the compound for release and other waste management reporting. For reporting cyanide, use the weight of the entire compound for threshold determinations, and also the weight of the entire compound for release and other waste management reporting. The qualifier for cyanide compounds states: X + CN - ; where X=H + or any other group where a formal dissociation may occur. For example, KCN or Ca(CN) 2

35 H-35 EPA AUDIT POLICY n Audit Policy enhances environmental protection through incentives for companies to self-police, disclose and correct violations n Companies that satisfy the Policys criteria are eligible for up to 100% reductions in otherwise applicable penalties n Since implemented in 1995, over 1,500 companies have self-disclosed violations at over 6,065 facilities under the policy

36 H-36 EPA AUDIT POLICY n Conditions to qualify (nine criteria): Systematic Discovery of the Violation through Environmental Audit or Due Diligence Voluntary Discovery Prompt Disclosure Discovery and Disclosure Independent of Government or Third Party Plaintiff Correction and Remediation Prevent Recurrence No Repeat Violations Other Violations Excluded Cooperation n For more information, including a copy of the Audit Policy (revised in May 2000), visit: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/auditing/auditpolicy. html

37 H-37 EPCRA SECTION 313 ENFORCEMENT n Companies violating any statutory or regulatory requirement are subject to penalties of up to $27,500 per day per violation n Companies subject to citizen suits and could also be liable for attorney fees and litigation costs n Governments penalty is determined by applying the Enforcement Response Policy (ERP) to each violation

38 H-38 EPCRA SECTION 313 ENFORCEMENT n It is important to file your TRI reporting form on time. This year, EPA enforcement initiated enforcement actions against hundreds of facilities that failed to report on time. These facilities could face fines up to $27,500 per violation per day. These enforcement actions will be highlighted in an Enforcement Alert Bulletin to be distributed in this years Reporting Forms and Instructions, and to be available on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/newsletters/ civil/enfalert/index.html


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