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EXPERTISE
YOU CAN
COUNT ON
.
If you have not heard or seen the signs of New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation's (NYSDEC) increased inspection activity, you will
soon. The 2005 Federal Energy Policy Act requires tank inspections of all
registered facilities every three years, and those sites which haven't been
inspected since 1999 will receive top priority.
WHAT IT MEANS
If all of your equipment is up to code, your signage and markings are accurate, and you have
been keeping detailed records of inventory and testing, then an inspection is an opportunity
to validate your operations. For sites that may need a little work, there may be time to make
modifications that will reduce or eliminate your exposure to potential penalties. With the
federal inspection mandates, it is not a question of if, but when you will receive a visit.
- Removing any product or water that may have found its way into sumps or containment basins is a required first step.
- Get your paperwork in order. You must perform 10-day reconciliation and document your investigation when the amounts vary outside the allowable range. Records of annual cathodic protection (CP) are required for steel tanks and lines. Automatic line leak detection systems must be validated and records retained. Have your documents up to date, organized, and ready. A clean site with 52 weeks of accurate records can make a good impression during the inspection.
- Accurately label tanks and equipment according to the regulations. This includes fill covers, above ground lines, plaques for each tank, and posting your facility registration in a visible location. These are easy items to bring into compliance, but also very easy for inspectors to catch if they are missing or incorrect.
- Consider approaching NYSDEC for a voluntary consent agreement for auditing of your facilities. You may be able to avoid or minimize potential penalties by agreeing up front to have a third party inspection performed and correcting any issues in a timely fashion. Consult an experienced environmental attorney before proceeding in this direction.
- Seek help from people who understand the regulations and have experience assisting tank owners achieve compliance.
Click here for more information on Aztech's Audit Program
Aztech Technologies has experience developing proactive audit programs to increase your facilities' compliance and avoid or diminish the chances of future enforcement action by regulators. With roots in the petroleum and environmental industry that go back over 25 years, Aztech is a well established firm. We completed the first large scale mandated third party field audit program in New York state during 2003-2004. We also have conducted a number of voluntary audit programs on individual or small groups of sites for NYACS members throughout the state.
Aztech Technologies' programs focus on education as much as compliance. By educating operators, managers, and maintenance personnel, facilities are able to remain compliant into the future.
Every project we work ongets the hands-on attention, guidance and accountability of a company principal - from the planning phase all the way through to completion. It's just how we do business. Because of our experience and knowledge, we can successfully guide you through this new inspection process while offering you this extraordinary level of personal attention.
What can Aztech do for you?
Operating outside of compliance can be a costly affair once a regulator arrives on your site.
Aztech will help you be ready.