Small Business Advisor - June 2021

Small Biz News

Small Business Advisor - June 2021

EPA Revises 2015 Ozone Nonattainment Areas

OzoneMap2021

On May 24, 2021, in response to a court decision, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a final rule expanding ozone nonattainment areas in Wisconsin that were previously finalized for the 2015 ozone standard. EPA’s action impacts nonattainment areas located in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Door counties. The revised nonattainment designations (green on map) will be effective July 14, 2021.

EPA’s signed rule and supporting documentation can be found on EPA’s revised designations webpage. The DNR Air Program has developed maps of the revised nonattainment areas, such as the one to the right, which can be found on DNR’s ozone webpage (under the “2015 standard” tab).

The Air Program will be working with EPA to understand the impact this action will have on emissions sources in these areas, as well as on its air quality planning and monitoring obligations. 

For general questions about this action, contact Jason Treutel at (608) 220-0247 or Jason.Treutel@wisconsin.gov.

For questions regarding the permitting implications of this action, contact Kristin Hart at (608) 287-6061 or Kristin.Hart@wisconsin.gov.


Reminder: TRI Reporting Deadline is July 1

July1

Each year, certain industrial facilities submit Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data to EPA. The data are due by July 1 and cover waste management activities that occurred during the previous calendar year. EPA makes these data publicly available.

Facilities that must report TRI data have until midnight on July 1 to submit data for calendar year 2020. For resources and more information, visit the Reporting for TRI Facilities webpage.


Opportunities for Input

Draft WPDES Mineral (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing (WI-0046515-07-0) General Permits – Comments Due June 30, 2021

The DNR has notified the public of its intent to reissue the Mineral (Nonmetallic) Mining and/or Processing Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) general permit (No. WI-0046515-07-0).  This draft general permit will replace and combine WPDES General Permit No. WI-A046515-06 and WPDES General Permit No. WI-B046515-06.

The draft general permit is applicable to the point source discharge of pollutants to a water of the state associated with storm water and/or wastewater from nonmetallic mineral mining operations, nonmetallic mineral processing operations or other similar activities. Wastewater discharge activities covered under this permit include process generated wastewater, mine dewatering water, pit/trench dewatering water, vehicle washwater, dust suppression water from controlling dust at the site and other similar wastewaters as determined by the department to be applicable under this general permit on case-by-case basis.

The documents (Public Notice of Intent, draft permit, and fact sheets) are available here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wastewater/PublicNotices.html.

A public hearing on the draft general permit will occur on June 23, 2021 from 1-2 p.m. CST. Interested parties can attend the public hearing by using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81518087463 or by calling:  +1 312 626 6799 , Meeting ID: 815 1808 7463 

The DNR will accept written comments on the proposed permit action until June 30, 2021. Comments may be submitted electronically to DNRSWPermits@wisconsin.gov.  Alternatively, comments may be mailed to Bradley Johnson, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 225051 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI, 54401.

 

EPA Webinar: Clean Air Act (CAA) List of Air Toxics, Addition of 1-Bromopropane (1-BP), June 23, 2021

On June 23, 2021, EPA will host two webinars on the 1-BP Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or ANPRM. These webinars will provide an opportunity for the public to provide feedback concerning facilities located within their community that may be subject to the revisions or new emission standards. Each webinar will be similar but targeted to a different audience (small businesses, Environmental Justice stakeholders and tribes).

Click the appropriate link to register:

On Monday, June 7, 2021, EPA’s Administrator signed an ANPRM related to adding 1-bromopropane (1-BP) to the Clean Act Act’s list of hazardous air pollutants (HAP). EPA intends to add 1-BP to the HAP list by the end of 2021. This will be the first time that EPA has added a pollutant to the HAP list since the list was created by the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. This chemical is largely used in solvent degreasing; it is also used in adhesives, furniture foam fabrication, and surface coatings applications in industries such as aerospace manufacturing.

 

EPA Announces Environmental Justice Consultation on Risk Management Rulemakings for Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene, July 6, 2021

EPA invites environmental justice communities and stakeholders to participate in Environmental Justice Consultations regarding the development of proposed risk management actions under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address unreasonable risks presented by trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE)

The environmental justice consultation period will extend through August 20, 2021. The Agency will hold a consultation webinar on July 6, 2021. The session will provide an overview of the TSCA risk management requirements, the findings from the final risk evaluations, the tools available to manage the unreasonable risks from TCE and PCE, and an opportunity for EPA to obtain input on environmental justice concerns. These consultations are open to the public, and EPA is inviting national, local and non-governmental organizations, communities, and other interested stakeholders to participate. 

In addition to the environmental justice consultation, EPA is executing a robust outreach effort during risk management that includes consultations with small businesses, state and local governments, and tribes. There will also be an open public comment period on proposed risk management regulations. 

Find registration information for the environmental justice consultations and more opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement at epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-existing-chemicals-under-tsca


Training Available

In Person WisCon Workshop/Seminars

COVID: Returning to Routine; OSHA NEP.  This free half day workshop will inform businesses and organizations on changes to COVID employee health and safety programs helping them to prepare for the transition to a new normal.

  • July 1, 2021 in Racine 
  • 8:30 Registration and  9:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/covid-returning-to-routine-osha-nep-racine-tickets-157299740759

For a current list of all available programs, visit http://www.slh.wisc.edu/occupational/wiscon/safety-and-health-wiscon-training/

 

Weekly WisCon Webinars

WisCon holds a weekly webinar on various occupational health and safety topics at 1:00 every Monday.  The next webinar is on June 28 – Bandsaw Safety.