EMP Environmental Regulations & Policy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Air Act, which program requires major stationary sources to obtain permits before construction or modification?
- Title IV Acid Rain Program
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) (Correct answer)
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
Correct answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)
The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program requires major new or modified stationary sources to obtain pre-construction permits in attainment areas.
Question 2: Which federal regulation sets energy efficiency standards for commercial and industrial equipment sold in the United States?
- Energy Policy Act of 1992
- National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA)
- Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (Correct answer)
- Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)
Correct answer: Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007
EISA 2007 expanded and strengthened energy efficiency standards for commercial and industrial equipment, including lighting and HVAC systems.
Question 3: A facility discovers it released a hazardous substance above the reportable quantity threshold. Under CERCLA, it must notify which agency?
- State environmental agency only
- EPA Regional Office only
- National Response Center (NRC) (Correct answer)
- OSHA within 8 hours
Correct answer: National Response Center (NRC)
CERCLA Section 103 requires immediate notification to the National Response Center when a hazardous substance release exceeds the reportable quantity.
Question 4: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) primarily gives EPA authority to:
- Set ambient air quality standards for toxic pollutants
- Require reporting, record-keeping and testing of chemical substances (Correct answer)
- Regulate hazardous waste disposal at treatment facilities
- Control toxic discharges into navigable waterways
Correct answer: Require reporting, record-keeping and testing of chemical substances
TSCA authorizes EPA to require reporting, record-keeping, testing, and restrictions on chemical substances and mixtures manufactured or imported in the US.
Question 5: Under EPA's Tier 2 vehicle emission standards, sulfur content in gasoline is regulated because sulfur:
- Increases fuel volatility and smog formation
- Poisons catalytic converters reducing their effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Reacts with nitrogen oxides to form acid rain
- Increases particulate matter from combustion
Correct answer: Poisons catalytic converters reducing their effectiveness
Sulfur in gasoline poisons catalytic converters, reducing their ability to control harmful emissions of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.
Question 6: Which provision of the Clean Water Act requires industrial facilities to develop and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans?
- Section 311 (Correct answer)
- Section 401
- Section 404
- Section 319
Correct answer: Section 311
Clean Water Act Section 311 addresses oil and hazardous substance liability and requires SPCC plans for facilities with oil storage above threshold quantities.
Question 7: An energy manager is reviewing a facility's obligations under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Section 313 requires:
- Emergency response plans for chemical releases
- Community notification of extremely hazardous substances stored on-site
- Annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting to EPA (Correct answer)
- Quarterly chemical inventory reports to local fire departments
Correct answer: Annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting to EPA
EPCRA Section 313 requires facilities meeting threshold criteria to submit annual Toxic Release Inventory reports detailing releases and transfers of listed chemicals.
EMP Environmental Regulations & Policy 2
Under the Clean Air Act, which program requires major stationary sources to obtain permits before construction or modification?