Does Buying Pollution Credits From a Business That Shut Down 20 Years Ago Count?

Finding ways to guarantee the Sentinel natural gas power plant does not increase our carbon footprint is a challenge. But it's important that our regulatory agencies work hard to make that a reality.

Competitive Power Ventures (CPV), the Maryland-based company that is building the plant off Dillon Road in North Palm Springs, had to buy “pollution credits” to show the impact the new plant would be mitigated.

The purchases from the South Coast Air Quality Management District's bank of pollution credits created the $53 million mitigation fund to be used for air quality improvement projects in the Coachella Valley. The district is considering dozens of proposals, such as the Whitewater River Parkway, to offset the pollution the plant will emit.

But environmental groups, such as California Communities Against Toxics have sued, questioning whether the credits AQMD is selling have any effect on the air we breathe today.

The prime example they cited is credit for a flag company in Riverside that closed in 1992. They have a point.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency could rewrite its rules on pollution credits. The ruling doesn't halt construction of the Sentinel plant, which is about two-thirds complete, but both sides claimed victory over the court ruling.

Does buying credits from a business that shut down 20 years ago count? It all depends on when you start counting. The revised EPA ruling seeks to allow AQMD to use a 2003 air quality management plan rather than a 2007 plan, which would allow older credits to be considered a legitimate reduction.

John Foster, CPV's executive vice president, said the EPA has continued to affirm that the offsets are valid under federal law.

The Desert Sun is concerned that the issue is still up in the air.

The peaker plant is important to maintain a steady flow of power in Southern California, especially with the uncertainty of the San Onofre nuclear power plant.

We hope CPV prevails, but the credits should represent real offsets for today's air quality, not a plant that stopped polluting when President George Herbert Walker Bush was still in office.

Source: Mydesert.com 

Richmond residents call for sanctions, more input in wake of Chevron refinery blaze

RICHMOND -- This month's fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery represented a systemic failure that must be addressed through robust community input and stiff sanctions by regulators, local environmentalists and elected leaders said Thursday.

A town-hall meeting organized by Andres Soto and local group Communities for a Better Environment drew about 120 people to the downtown headquarters of the Richmond Progressive Alliance.

"This has really set us back," said Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, a member of the Green Party. McLaughlin said the black cloud emitted from the fire, which occurred in the No. 4 crude unit that processes diesel crude oil, was a new stain on the city's improving reputation.

Panelists at the meeting included Greg Karras, senior scientist for Communities for a Better Environment, Global Monitoring's Executive Director Denny Larsen and Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles.

Karras said the recent fire at the 240,000-barrel-per-day facility may have stemmed from a 1998 transition toward processing crude with higher sulfur content, which accelerates corrosion in parts like the 8-inch pipe that sprung a leak Aug. 6, creating a massive vapor cloud that ignited minutes later.

"That decision increased the inherent hazard of refining," Karras said.

Investigators for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, one of the several agencies probing the incident site, have said that the history of the pipe and decisions not to replace it are a key line of inquiry in their investigation. The pipe is believed to have been in use since the 1970s.

Karras said that after the pipe containing 600-degree diesel oil first sprung a leak, the decision to not shut the unit down may have contributed to the subsequent fire.

The fire broke out at 6:15 p.m., about two hours after the leak was discovered. Workers removed insulation from the pipe in an effort to avert a larger incident but evacuated before the fire ignited. Four workers suffered minor injuries.

Larsen criticized Chevron and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, saying both institutions played a role in the failure to install real-time air-quality monitoring equipment in the surrounding community, which he said was a condition of a tax settlement between the city and the refinery in 2010.

County Supervisor John Gioia, chairman of the air quality district board, said Friday that the blame should not fall on the district. Gioia said Chevron failed to install ground-level air monitors, which it agreed to as part of the tax settlement.

"I have proposed more air quality monitors around all Bay Area oil refineries, and that issue will get discussed at a special meeting of the board on Sept. 10," Gioia said.

More than 14,000 people have visited area hospitals since the fire, complaining of respiratory problems and other discomforts, but data on exactly what toxins were in the air have been scant.

Karras and Larsen said it is imperative that Richmond residents be privy to real-time monitoring of particulates and other airborne toxins in their community, of which Chevron's refinery has been a part for more than a century.

Chevron has released statements saying that it works with more than 30 agencies under some of the nation's strictest pollution rules and has drastically reduced emissions in recent decades. Chevron also opened claim centers near downtown and in North Richmond to reimburse residents for expenses incurred as a result of the fire.

McLaughlin said Communities for a Better Environment and other community groups have been instrumental in prodding Chevron and investigators to accept community input and provide regular updates as the investigation unfolds. The final report on the fire's cause may not be ready for months.

A community meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday in the Richmond City Council chamber. City officials and representatives from several investigative agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, are expected to attend.

Karras said that community mobilization could force meaningful reforms.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity to be part of the investigation," Karras said.

Source: MercuryNews.com

Executive Order B-18-12 Enacted by Governor Jerry Brown, Requiring State Agencies to Recuce Energy Consumption

Executive Order B-18-12 was implemented by Governor Jerry Brown on April 25th, 2012, with a main goal to allow state agencies to reduce their energy use on lighting, heating, air conditioning, and water. 

Highlights of the order are as follows:

1. To reduce energy use by at least 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.
2. The continuation of state agencies to reduce their energy purchases by at least 20 percent by 2018.
3. New or major renovations to state buildings that are larger than 10,000 square feet must use clean power generators, like wind power, solar photovoltaic, or solar thermal power.
4. State buildings that are 10,000 square feet or larger must be certified "silver" or higher by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
5. State agencies must provide electric vehicle charging stations in new and existing buildings.
6. The Department of General Services must work with other state agencies to develop policies for water conservation and further efficiency improvements. These must be implemented by July 1st, 2013, and should be continually updated in the State Administration Manual.
7. State agencies must reduce water use by 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.
8. State agencies must use environmentally friendly products that have less of an impact on human health.
9. State agencies must report the progress of these measures.
10. Executive Order S-20-04 must also be rescinded immediately.

Executive Order S-20-04 was implemented by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 27th, 2004. This order also aimed to reduce energy use in state owned buildings by 20 percent by 2015. It also encouraged private sectors to achieve the same goal.

To read more about this order - check out a recent presentation given by the Sustainability Manager for the California Department of General Services, Dan Burgoyne. 

Owners of Non-Residential Buildings (>5,000sf) Asked To Benchmark & Disclose Energy Consumption in Proposed Amendments to AB 1103

Proposed Amendments to AB 1103 will push the effective compliance date from July 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013 for Non-Residential Building Owners of buildings greater than 50,000 square feet, and Owners of Non-Residential buildings greater than 5,000 feet on or after January 1, 2014.  Requirements include:

•All Non-Residential Building Owners must benchmark the building’s energy use using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Portfolio Manager system;

•All Non-Residential Building Owners must disclose statements of the building’s energy usage to potential buyers, lessees, and lenders.

The proposed regulations also require all utility companies serving the building to release the most recent 12 months of energy use data for the entire building to an owner’s U.S. EPA’s Portfolio Manager Account, within 15 days of the building owner’s request.

Effective Compliance Dates:
Buildings with greater than 50,000 Square Feet
On or after July 1, 2013

Buildings with greater than 50,000 Square Feet, up to 50,000 Square Feet
On or after July 1, 2013

Buildings with at least 5,000 Square Feet, up to 10,000 Square Feet
On or after January 1, 2014

Information Required To Report:
Submittal must occur 30 days before a disclosure is required;
•    Open an account on EPA”s Energy Star program Portfolio Manager website;
•    Identify all sources of energy use data for the entire building, such as active and inactive utility meters, onsite generation, district thermal energy, or fuel(s) serving the building, for at least the most recent 12 months;
•    Provide space use characteristics;
•    Request and enter all utility and energy use data for the entire building for the most recent 12 months (Utility companies required to provide the information to the building owner within 15 days of request);
•    Once information uploaded, building owner will access the Commisions’s AB 1103 compliance website and:
o    Download disclosure Summary Sheet
o    Complete and Submit the Compliance Report
o    Download the building’s Statement of Energy Performance, Data Checklist, and Facility Summary
 
Disclosure Requirements:
A building owner shall disclose the following items to prospective buyers, lease and lenders:
•    Disclosure Summary Sheet
•    Statement of Energy Performance
•    Data Checklist
•    Facility Summary

(a)    Prospective buyer of the entire building, before execution of the sales contract
(b)    Prospective leasee of the entire building, as soon as practicable or before execution of lease
(c)    Prospective lender financing the entire building, as soon as practicable before submittal of the loan application

*An owner may supplement the above disclosure with forms from other sources, such as the ASTM International checklist E2797‐11 (2011), the Standard Practice for Building Energy
Performance Assessment for a Building Involved in a Real Estate Transaction.
 
Definitions:
(a)    “Building Owner” means a person possessing title to a nonresidential building, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of a person possessing title.

(b)    “Commission” means the California Energy Commission.

(c)    “Compliance Report” means an electronic submission of a copy of the data used for generating disclosure documents, submitted within the Portfolio Manager system from the building owner’s account to the Commission’s account.

(d)    “Data Checklist” means a report generated by Portfolio Manager that summarizes a property’s physical and operating characteristics.

(e) “Disclosure Summary Sheet” means the Commission document detailing the contents
and relevance of disclosures generated by Portfolio Manager.

(f) “Energy Provider” means any non‐electric and gas utility entity providing energy, as
defined by Section 25109, Public Resources Code, used by a nonresidential building.

(g) “Energy Use Data” means a record of kilowatt hours, therms, or any other measure of
energy used by a nonresidential building.

(h) “Entire Building” means a building for which the owner possesses title.
(i) “EPA” means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

(j) “Facility Summary” means a report generated by Portfolio Manager that summarizes
the space usage of a building and compares a building’s energy use to national averages.

(k) “Nonresidential Building” means a building of occupancy type A, B, E, I‐1, I‐2, M, R1, S,
and Type U parking garages, as defined in the California Building Code, Title 24, Section
302 et seq. (2007).

(l) “Portfolio Manager” means the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® program online tool for
managing building energy use data.

(m)“Portfolio Manager Energy Performance Rating” means an EPA energy efficiency
measurement represented as a score from 1 to 100, normalized for a building’s
characteristics, operations, and regional weather.

(n) “Square Feet” means total gross square footage of a building.

(o) “Statement of Energy Performance” means a report generated by Portfolio Manager that
supplies data about a building’s energy performance, and if available, the building’s
energy use rating.

(p) “Utility” means an entity providing  electricity or natural gas to a nonresidential
building owner or tenant.

Installation of Energy Monitor at Citadel Corporate Office Helps Reduce Energy Costs by 25%

Citadel recently partnered with Soladyne Capital to gain a better understanding of the energy usage at our Corporate Office in Glendale California - a LEED Platinum facility.

Soladyne Capital installed an Energy Monitor on the electrical panel, which is also connected to the WiFi network.  Information on energy consumption was therefore able to be retrieved on-line to analyze on-going energy use.

Using this tool and the reports and analysis provided by Soladyne, Citadel was able to identify several energy-wasters.  We learned that our AC units were running at night and on weekends, our parking lights were on during daylight hours, and our servers were 24/7 energy hogs.

Click below to see the full image of the analysis:
By reprogramming our AC thermostats, light timer, and by upgrading our old servers to an efficient new one, Citadel was able to cut our energy consumption by 25%. 
 

Soladyne offers three levels of Energy Analysis Reports to match their client needs.  Reports include include analysis and recommendations, such as the measures described above.  If you would like to learn more about how we can reduce your energy costs for your facility - contact Nic Serieys at the Citadel Office 818-246-2707, or via email or Robert Ciani at Soladyne Office 818-692-6838 today!

London Olympics Park Environmental Cleanup Uses Bioremediation Technology ORC Advanced® to Treat Hydrocarbons and Expedite Construction

The multi-billion dollar development of the 500 acre green space that houses the 2012 London Olympics games in Stratford in East London was once an industrial land with uses including chemical, fertilizer, engineering works, landfills and depots leaving a legacy of soil and groundwater contamination.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) set strict deadlines for the Olympic facility construction projects, which included the construction and refurbishment of 16 new major stadiums and sports facilities. More specifically, the subsurface foundations for the London Aquatic Centre (LAC) were to be completed by July 27th, 2009 (exactly three years before the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony).

The LAC site was contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons from lubricating oil as a result of historic operations. The first stage of remediation began in November 2007 using dual-phase vacuum extraction (DPVE) to remove the LNAPL, however due to the strict ODA deadlines and integration with construction programmes (starting in April 2008) prolonged use of DPVE was not practical to remediate the dissolved phase hydrocarbon plume. An in situ solution became the only viable solution.

In Situ Enhanced Bioremediation, a widely accepted and well understood natural biodegradtion process was chosen to cleanup this portion of the site. This approach utilizes indigenous microbes to aerobically biodegrade petroleum hydrocarbons in-place. The actual process is facilitated using an injectable, Advanced Oxygen Release Compound (ORC Advanced®). Upon hydration and injection, this powder-like material accelerates aerobic bioremediation by releasing molecular dissolved oxygen for periods up to 12 months on a single application. Without this valuable oxygen supply, the required aerobic bioremediation processes either cease or proceed at very slow rates.

The patented Controlled-Release Technology (CRT™) in ORC Advanced® allows for an efficient, long-term release of oxygen which provides optimal conditions for sustained aerobic biodegradation. CRT also saves time and money during implementation by eliminating the need for multiple oxygen release compound applications.

Additionally, ORC Advanced® was applied at the LAC Site using direct-push injection. This application approach is highly efficient as it requires no permanent well installation, above-ground piping or mechanical equipment and after application, no operation costs or further site disturbance.

Remedial objectives for the Olympic Games Aquatic Centre were satisfied and redevelopment of the site was unhindered by the ongoing in situ remedial work. More importantly, the construction-phase was completed according to the ODA set deadlines.


SOURCE: Regenesis

Citadel Saves 50,000 Wild Honey Bees!

Citadel’s beliefs and ethics were called into action when they suddenly became the home to over 50,000 wild honey bees. Just like any other company, Citadel was alarmed at the idea of wild bees being so close in proximity to its employees and pedestrians and their safety possibly being threatened. As an environmental company, Citadel not only works with many companies to bring safety and sustainability to the forefront, but they practice it as well.

Citadel was aware of the option to bring in an exterminator and have them removed and killed, but then that would be going against their company ethics, so they pursued other alternatives. They found help from a bee specialist, Chris Carr who works at Shangri-La (Citadel’s client) who was more than willing to help in this quest to save the wild honey bees. The process took more than 9 hours and after a few stings, Mr. Carr was able to get the bees to their new home at C & C’z Beez where they are continuing to make wild honey.

Citadel is more than proud to say that they did not contribute to the current honey bee hive shortage by only relying on one option. With a little time, research and in Citadel’s circumstances, luck, they were able to stick to their ethics and beliefs and remain a positive example.

Heat Illness Prevention Training

Summertime is here and OSHA recommends five key elements – water, rest, shade, training, and emergency preparations – as preventative steps to avoid a heat related illness. Working in hot and humid conditions can increase the potential for employees to become sick, and in some cases, die. OSHA reports that each year thousands of workers suffer from heat related illnesses, including fatalities that can be prevented.  Cal/OSHA is actively investigating two suspected heat illness fatalities that occurred in the construction and agriculture industries this year and has indicated that they will be vigilant in their enforcement efforts this year.

If you are in need of Heat Illness Prevention training please contact us, Citadel Environmental Services specialize in Heat Assessment online and in-class training, along with comprehensive Cal/OSHA needs assessment.

Source: Osha Training Center 

Update: The State Department of Toxic Substances Control Failed to Take Action on Evergreen Oil Re-Refinery

New information has been obtained from emergency responder's at the July 6th high-temperature leak at the Evergreen Oil re-refining plant in Newark, CA, that show the leak involved a hazardous industrial chemical and not just recycled motor oil, as initially reported.

According to Consumer Watchdog, regulators are unclear about who is the lead regulator overseeing the facility, with DTSC's own enforcers acknowledging they are uncertain of the department's authority over the whole plant, which processes used motor oil. They were also not aware of what actions other agencies might be taking."The DTSC, which should be the leader in any event involving this serial safety violator, seems almost to be looking for reasons not to get involved," said Consumer Watchdog advocate Liza Tucker. "This is an opportunity for the new director to show strong leadership and creativity in a department that appears to have faltered for years."


Source PR Newswire

The State Department of Toxic Substances Control Failed to Take Tough Action on Evergreen Oil Re-Refiner

The State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has failed to take tough action against the toxic industries that continue to operate after repeated safety violations, like the Evergreen Oil Re-Refinery (Evergreen), and consequently put a community in Northern California in danger. 

On July 16th, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to the Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Debbie Raphael, in regards to sending Evergreen a strong message by indefinitely closing the Re-Refinery after a pipe leaked and spewed "superheated oil" and triggered an emergency evacuation on July 6th, in Newark, CA. The surrounding community was warned to expect a wave of "strong odors" from the leak. 

The accident marks the latest in a string of problems at the plant that re-refines used motor oil, including a burst pipe and major fire in March 2011 and repeated citations by the DTSC for safety violations and carelessness.

The letter sent to Ms. Raphael stated Evergreen is among several companies who appear to have manipulated or ignored the DTSC and other agencies to the detriment of concerned and frustrated local residents. 

"Consumer Watchdog is appalled to learn of yet another accident at the Newark-based used oil recycler Evergreen Oil," said Liza Tucker, an advocate at Consumer Watchdog. "We call on the DTSC to shut this refinery down indefinitely. Evergreen needs to know that sloppy safety procedures, and refusal to fix or replace shoddy infrastructure, is simply unacceptable."

The letter sent on July 16th to Director Raphael said in part:

"Your department has repeatedly cited Evergreen Oil for cracks and gaps in waste container storage and transfer areas, failing to track contaminated petroleum waste coming in and out of the facility, careless soil contamination, and omissions in its own inspection system.

"Still, the DTSC fined this company that generates some $36 million in annual revenues less than $60,000 under six separate consent decrees between 2006 and 2011. This practice of accepting promises that Evergreen will police itself, instead of taking the company to court, has been an abject failure. The DTSC has cited the company for failure to follow even its own simple safety procedures.

"At the same time, members of the local community say that for 25 years Evergreen has ignored federal and state laws and polluted their neighborhoods."

The department has a special responsibility to working and middle class families in the small cities where companies produce and recycle toxics including PCBs, dioxin, and heavy metals near homes and schools, Consumer Watchdog said. Too many of these companies have mastered the arts of delay to avoid fixing leaks, improving infrastructure, and following adequate internal safety controls.

"Evergreen Oil has proven repeatedly that it cannot be trusted," said Tucker. "The DTSC and other regulators need to put community safety first and show zero tolerance for such polluters."

Consumer Watchdog has previously described problems at several hazardous waste sites, and also called for reforms at the DTSC to address a lack of transparency, a disconnect between inspection and enforcement, and a preference for weak settlements instead of more aggressive prosecution of serial violators.

Say Goodbye to the Registered Environmental Assessors Program

Environmental professionals say goodbye to the Registered Environmental Assessors (REA) Program, as of July 1st the program has been discontinued in the State of California.

Of course, there are several organizations that offer environmental professional certifications, but you must meet EPA's definition of an environmental professional through a Professional Engineer License or Professional Geologist License, plus three years of experience.

Other certification programs available for Environmental Professional Certification are:

-  Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals - Certified
    Environmental Professional (CEP) program
-  National Registry of Environmental Professionals – several
    certifications including REPA and REP
-  International Society for Technical and Environmental Professionals
    (INSTEP) – Licensed Environmental Professional
-  Institute for Professional Environmental Practice (IPEP) – Qualified
    Environmental Professional
-  Institute of Hazardous Materials Management – Certified Hazardous
   Materials Manager (CHMM)

Below is the email sent to REAs by the State of California: 

As part of the Budget, on June 27, 2012 the Governor also signed SB 1018 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 39, Statutes of 2012). Among a number of other things, SB 1018 has repealed the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) authority for the Registered Environmental Assessors (REA) Program. As of July 1, 2012, the REA Program will no longer exist.

DTSC proposed the elimination of the REA Program in this year’s budget considerations, primarily because DTSC believes that the program is unnecessary and unenforceable, and more importantly, it is largely duplicative of and inconsistent with federal environmental professional standards that have been adopted since the creation of the REA Program. DTSC believes the elimination of the REA Program will standardize requirements for environmental professionals conducting environmental assessments under other statutory programs, and make them consistent with federal requirements.

REA I 2012 Annual fee payments received and the processing fee for new, five year renewal and reinstatement applications that were “pending” review will receive refunds in four to six weeks after July 1, 2012. REA II will receive a prorated annual fee refund and the processing fee for “pending” applications.

Please note that the online registry will no longer be available after July 1, 2012.

We would like to thank you for your past support and participation to the program.

Sincerely,

DTSC Management

Cal/OSHA Launched a Statewide Confined Space Special Emphasis Initiative

Earlier this year, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) launched a statewide Confined Space Special Emphasis Initiative to focus attention on preventing worker deaths and injuries in confined spaces. The Initiative is the result of a dramatic increase in deaths, up to seven in 2011, in confined spaces.

A confined space is generally defined as one that (1) is large enough and configured so that an employee can bodily enter and perform work; (2) has limited openings for entry and exit; and (3) is not designed for continuous occupancy. A few examples of confined spaces include manholes, boilers, vaults and utility tunnels.

Employers are advised to evaluate their properties for confined spaces because they can be certain that any inspection by Cal/OSHA will include a check for confined spaces. To learn more about confined space, please review the Confined Space Hazard Alert, an online aid in identifying confined spaces and protect workers. If you need further assistance, please contact Citadel Environmental Services. We provide assistance with Cal/OSHA needs assessments, including online and in-class training in Confined Space as well as many other programs.

Source: Fox Rothschild LLP

Registration Opens For Bay Area Clean Air Competition

What an amazing way for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to get people from the Bay Area to participate in helping their environment and be rewarded for doing so. San Franciscans, help your community by finding an alternative way to commute and make sure to enter in the challenge. If you win or even if you are just a participant, we would love to hear about your story (you can contact Kristin Velez here on LinkedIn) Good Luck!! Registration Opens for Bay Area Clean Air Competition

Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) Update!

Notice of Public Hearing
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Proposed Amendments to Rule 902 – Asbestos

Date:         July 26, 2012

Time:        9:30 a.m.

Location:    Room 1450 (Board of Supervisors’ Chambers)
County Administration Building
700 H Street
Sacramento, California 95814

The Board of Directors of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (District) will consider the adoption of proposed amendments to Rule 902 – ASBESTOS.

Rule 902 contains work practice requirements for owners and operators of facility renovations, demolitions, and other asbestos handling activities.  Staff is proposing minor changes to the demolition and renovation sections of the rule to be more specific that consultants are included as owners or operators, to include sampling provisions that are consistent with the District’s current survey form, and to restructure some of the rule language.

Rule 902 implements the federal asbestos requirements of 40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M, which has been delegated to the District by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The rule will be submitted to EPA pursuant to the District’s delegation authority at 40 CFR 61.04(c)(9)(ii)(F).

Copies of this notice, the proposed rule, and the staff report are posted on the District's website at this location: www.airquality.org/notices/index.shtml.  Paper copies may be viewed at the District office or purchased for a fee of 25¢ per page plus mailing costs.

By this notice, all interested parties are specifically requested to provide comments on the proposed amendments.  Oral testimony may be directed to the Board of Directors at the public hearing on July 26, 2012.  You can also submit your comments via mail to the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD, 777 12th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, Attention: Joe Carle (916) 874-4838 or via email to JCarle@airquality.org.

----------------------------
SMAQMD
777 12th Street, 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.airquality.org
Telephone: (916) 874-4800 or (800) 880-9025 (toll free within Sacramento County)
Fax: (916) 874-4899

California Proposes Amendments to Cap-and-trade Regulations for Linkage With Quebec

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed amendments to the state’s cap-and-trade regulations to effectuate linkage between the state’s program and a cap-and-trade program established by Quebec. Among other things, the proposed regulations provide for a joint auction of allowances in November. CARB also proposed amendments relating to trading mechanics and market oversight. The proposed amendments are subject to a 45-day comment period, and then will be on the agenda for a meeting of the board on June 28. The proposed amendments and related materials are available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2012/capandtrade12/capandtrade12.htm.

Cal OSHA Performs Surprise Weekend Inspections for Heat Illness Prevention and Confined Space Compliance

Two weeks ago when the temperatures in the Central Valley soared past 90 degrees, Cal OSHA set a new precedent performing surprise inspections on Saturday and Sunday to inspect sites for compliance of heat illness and confined space programs. They passed out more than 100 violations for heat illness violations and confined space violations to local employers.

Cal OSHA plays a vital role in keeping California's manufacturing workplaces safe and their efforts serve to protect millions of workers, but if your company is subjected to a Cal/OSHA inspection - it is seldom cause for celebration. Cal/OSHA violations can be costly to not only your bottom line, but your company's reputation.

If you are unsure whether your company is in compliance, or if you have any training needs related to either topic, Citadel can help. We offer comprehensive Cal/OSHA needs assessment, and implementation programs, including online and in-class training in Heat Assessment and Confined Space, as well as many other programs. 

If interested in learning more about the trainings mentioned or any of our other training options available, please contact us today!

California Governor Orders State Buildings and Agencies to Reduce Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions

Effective immediately, California Governor Jerry Brown issued executive order B-18-12, which requires all state agencies to reduce entity-wide GHG emissions by at least 10% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline.  Also, by 2025, all newly constructed or renovated state buildings must be constructed as zero net energy facilities.  Additionally, the executive order requires a minimum of U.S. Green Building Council “Silver” LEED certification for all newly constructed or renovated state buildings of 10,000 square feet or more.  State agencies must also reduce overall water use at the facilities they operate by 10% by 2015 and by 20% by 2020, as measured against a 2010 baseline. To read more regarding this executive order, please click on the link executive order.

Citadel’s Sustainability Service line can help businesses take their companies to the next level with a re-investment in the environment. Corporate environmental responsibility has become a major tool for product/service differentiation. Consumers are increasingly choosing environmentally responsible providers of goods and services as the new Green movement takes hold worldwide. Our services help companies develop Green policies and procedures, characterize and reduce waste, increase energy efficiency, and evaluate the environmental impact of their products, all of which all reduce their net carbon footprint. 

If you would like to learn more about going Green, please contact us. 

Specs+Spaces Article - Citadel Environmental Services: Greening the Workplace

An article was published from Dunn-Edwards Specs + Spaces, recognizing Citadel not only for its work in helping companies Go Green, but also for setting a great example as to how beneficial being Green can be!

Specs+Spaces Citadel Environmental Services: Greening the Workplace

EHS&S Consultant by Day - Financial Prognosticator by Night

While I practice Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) consulting by day, I’ve been forced to become a financial prognosticator by night. As the Principal of Citadel, a mid-sized, employee-owned EHS&S firm, I’ve always had to make forecasts about the economy, identify industry trends, and formulate corporate strategies. The basis for my decision making could be as sound as making conclusions relying on established business and trade journals or as weak as consulting with the swelling in my trick knee. Either way, it was hard for me to go wrong. 

Before the last major recession, “all boats were rising” - I could always dial in growth into the planning process, as we had grown steadily for 15 years. Conversely, for 2008-2010ish, I could forecast reductions or no growth as the entire economy was either in a tail-spin or treading water – “all boats were sinking”.

But a couple of weeks ago, I was given a challenge by a valued Citadel business consultant, Dr. Kim Huynh, to conduct a webinar to a university audience. My responsibility was to share my insights into the EHS&S industry as to its stability, potential for growth, trends, and industry drivers. My challenge was that I was presenting to a mature, international audience that likely wouldn’t merely accept “because my trick knee is never wrong” predictions, and were looking for fact-based assessments. And we all know, anyone making predictions the last couple of years were, either, fools or someone who was going to soon made a fool. But, here I was, being forced to make predictions in the transparency of fog.

I turned to three trusted sources to measure the state of the economy for the EHS&S industry: (1) our existing pipeline, (2) IBISWorld’s August 2011 Report, and (3) our insurance broker.

Unrecognized by most, the environmental industry is a good leading indicator about the strength of the economy or at least investor confidence. We represent several hundred clients in numerous industries including real estate, retail, entertainment, education, energy, manufacturing/aerospace, defense, health care, government, etc. Often, environmental firms, especially those similar to Citadel that service the entire life-cycle of real estate, are the first in on deals, working with the “smart money” before architects and engineers, and well before contractors. Therefore, my first indicator was looking at work in progress, backlog, opportunities, and the telltale billable hours metric. Having reviewed those measures, the first indicator for an economic upturn was a “go.” 

The second source was IBISWorld’s August 2011 Report for our industry. After reading about 50 pages of the report and all of the entertaining charts (zzzz), the conclusion was that we could expect 9.4 % annual growth for the next several years. The second indicator was a “go.” So far, so good. 

The third source, while ostensibly an odd source, was our insurance broker. For the past 20 years, I’ve turned to our broker as a bellwether as to the state of the economy. Similar to Citadel, his firm represents clients from a cross-section of different industries and are intimately familiar with their clients’ business operations. In the case of our broker, it doesn’t hurt that he is the West Coast President of an insurance brokerage owned by one of the nation’s top-ten largest banks. Having his insight into his customer base and access to his parent company’s economists, he reported back that almost all of his clients were adjusting their strategic plans upward or currently hiring new staff to service existing business or expected business. Our experience is similar to many of our broker’s - we’ve been hiring additional staff (announcements will be forthcoming), investing in real estate and equipment, conducting extensive staff development, and re-tooling our practices of how we work.

The conclusion for my preparation for the webinar was that the EHS&S industry was on solid footing and that a recovery was underway. Now, I recognize that there are some destabilizing factors and some looming threats to the economy such as the presidential election, national debt/spending cuts, Europe’s sovereign debt crisis, and a series of bad options for dealing with Iran, however, it’s time for the bear (at least a timid bear) to come out of hibernation. In won’t be a quick, gangbuster recovery, but it will steadily improve over time.

Now, I just have to hope that I’m not tomorrow’s fool.

Loren Witkin

Principal

BIOGRAPHY

Citadel Owner & Founder Gives 30 Minute Webinar For American City University!

Citadel Owner & Founder Mr. Loren Witkin speaks with American City University about the Environmental Consulting Services Industries. Follow the link to the 30 minute Webinar: 

https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2012-03-15.1045.M.EE8ED0C9EE74913536550A20D8664A.vcr&sid=voffice

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response ON-LINE Training

Citadel was contracted by a major motion picture studio to provide computer-based Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training. Citadel created a unique E-Learning account for every employee, which allowed users to access the training course modules via the internet from any location at any time. All courses were self-paced with optional audio narration, and all users were granted access to an internal messaging system. The client’s account included access to the seven (7) part HAZWOPER training course that included; • Scope, Application, and Training Requirements of the HAZWOPER Standard • Toxicology, Monitoring, and Medical Surveillance • Hazard, Risk Assessment, and Identification • Respiratory Protection and Personal Protective Equipment • Confined Spaces, Handling Drums and Containers • Site Control and Decontamination • Emergency Response and Spill Prevention All E-Learning modules consisted of interactive flash media presentations, module specific exams with randomized questions, and printable completion certificates. The HAZWOPER course ended with a final exam in addition to individual exams for each of the seven (7) component modules. All courses complied with and met applicable Federal and State training requirements.

Review of California Certified Unified Program Agencies, Hazardous Materials Inventories and Emergency Response Program

Citadel Environmental Services, Inc. was contracted by a major retail company to review the requirements of the California Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) in anticipation of updating the company's Hazardous Materials Business Plan for multiple retail store locations. The California Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) is a local agency that has been certified by the California Environmental Protection Agency to implement six state environmental programs within the local agency's jurisdiction. The Unified Program includes the Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Wastes Inventory and Business Emergency Response Plan.

Citadel conducted hazardous materials site surveys, as well as prepared Hazardous Materials Business Plans that included compiling Hazardous Material Inventory forms, Emergency Response Plans, Hazardous Waste Generator forms, and other agency-specific reporting forms for the local CUPAs within the jurisdiction of each retail store location.

The Hazardous Materials Inventory and Business Emergency Response Plan Program regulate the use and storage of hazardous materials by business and industry. Chemical Inventory Title 42, Section 11022 of the United States Code and Chapter 6.95 of the California Health and Safety code require the reporting of hazardous materials when used or stored in certain quantities (greater than 55 gallons of liquid, 500 pounds of solids, or 200 cubic feet of compressed gases). A Chemical Inventory was generated for all retail stores that disclosed all hazardous materials and wastes stored, used, or handled above the reporting threshold on site. This disclosure information assists emergency responders in planning for and handling emergencies which involve hazardous materials. The program objective is to safeguard lives and minimize property loss.

Citadel Wins EXXONMOBIL GOLD SAFETY Award!

Citadel is proud to announce the receipt of the GOLD SAFETY AWARD, given by our client ExxonMobil for more than 10,000 man hours worked without injury in 2011.  We'd like to recognize our team: 

• Jeff Klein (Team Leader)
• Barry Smith
• Russel Ragsdale
• Oscar Jimenez
• Shawn Robbins
• Alex Bernal
• Deanna Iacono
• Gabby Sandoval

Citadel hopes to approach the 50,000 man hours mark in 2012, and wish our team the best for this year!