CEA Environmental Regulations & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which permit program regulates discharges of pollutants into navigable waters from point sources?
- NPDES (Correct answer)
- RCRA
- SPCC
- TSCA
Correct answer: NPDES
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under CWA Section 402 requires permits for point source discharges to navigable waters.
Question 2: A manufacturing facility discovers a release of 1,500 pounds of a CERCLA hazardous substance above the reportable quantity. Within what timeframe must it notify the National Response Center?
- Immediately (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours
- Within 72 hours
- Within 30 days
Correct answer: Immediately
CERCLA Section 103 requires immediate notification to the National Response Center upon knowledge of a release at or above the reportable quantity.
Question 3: Which RCRA subtitle establishes the framework for regulating hazardous waste from 'cradle to grave'?
- Subtitle C (Correct answer)
- Subtitle D
- Subtitle I
- Subtitle F
Correct answer: Subtitle C
RCRA Subtitle C establishes the federal hazardous waste management program covering generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
Question 4: Under EPCRA Section 313, facilities must submit Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reports by what annual deadline?
- July 1 (Correct answer)
- March 1
- April 15
- December 31
Correct answer: July 1
EPCRA Section 313 requires TRI Form R submissions to EPA and state agencies by July 1 each year for releases occurring in the prior calendar year.
Question 5: The CAA's New Source Review (NSR) program applies when a major stationary source undergoes a modification that results in what?
- A significant net emissions increase (Correct answer)
- Any increase in production capacity
- A change in operating hours only
- Installation of any new equipment
Correct answer: A significant net emissions increase
NSR is triggered when a physical or operational change at a major source causes a significant net emissions increase of a regulated pollutant.
Question 6: Which federal law requires federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major federal actions significantly affecting the environment?
- NEPA (Correct answer)
- CERCLA
- RCRA
- CWA
Correct answer: NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) mandates that federal agencies assess environmental effects of proposed major federal actions through EIS documents.
Question 7: Under the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, which facilities are required to prepare an SPCC Plan?
- Facilities with aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons with potential to discharge to navigable waters (Correct answer)
- All facilities storing any quantity of petroleum products
- Only refineries and petrochemical plants
- Facilities storing more than 10,000 gallons of oil
Correct answer: Facilities with aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons with potential to discharge to navigable waters
SPCC applies to facilities with total aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons (or any single tank over 660 gallons) that could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to navigable waters.
CEA Environmental Regulations & Compliance 2
Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which permit program regulates discharges of pollutants into navigable waters from point sources?