ENV SP Environmental Compliance 3

Question 1

A manufacturing facility discovers it has been unknowingly discharging a chemical not listed in its NPDES permit. What is the MOST appropriate immediate compliance action?

Accepted Answer

Self-report the discharge to the regulatory authority and cease or reduce the discharge

Answer

Self-reporting unauthorized discharges promptly to regulators is required by law and can mitigate penalties; continued violations or dilution are prohibited practices.

Question 2

Which regulatory concept allows facilities to exceed individual emission limits for some pollutants if they offset those exceedances with reductions in other pollutants of equal or greater environmental benefit?

Accepted Answer

Emissions Trading or Bubble Policy

Answer

The bubble policy and emissions trading programs allow facilities to treat multiple emission points as a single 'bubble,' enabling internal trades between sources.

Question 3

Under TSCA Section 6, EPA has the authority to restrict or ban which substances when they present unreasonable risk?

Accepted Answer

Existing and new chemical substances or mixtures

Answer

TSCA Section 6 gives EPA broad authority to regulate both existing and new chemical substances or mixtures that present unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.

Question 4

What is the significance of a 'de minimis' exemption in environmental compliance?

Accepted Answer

It allows minor or trivial quantities or activities to be excluded from regulatory requirements

Answer

De minimis exemptions exclude from regulatory coverage activities or quantities so small they pose negligible environmental or health risk, reducing compliance burdens for trivial sources.

Question 5

Which document must a facility prepare when it handles hazardous materials above threshold quantities and must coordinate with local emergency responders?

Accepted Answer

Tier II Chemical Inventory Report

Answer

Tier II reports under EPCRA Section 312 require facilities to annually submit chemical inventory information to state and local emergency planners and fire departments.

(ENV SP) Certified Envision Sustainability Professional Practice Test

(ENV SP) Certified Envision Sustainability Professional Practice Test

ENV SP Environmental Compliance 3