HSE Environmental Regulations and Sustainability Practices 3

Question 1

Under the Clean Water Act's NPDES program, a general permit differs from an individual permit in that it:

Accepted Answer

Authorizes a category of discharges with similar characteristics under one permit

Answer

NPDES general permits cover multiple dischargers of the same type (e.g., stormwater construction sites) under a single permit, reducing administrative burden.

Question 2

ISO 14001 is best described as a standard for:

Accepted Answer

Environmental management systems

Answer

ISO 14001 specifies requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) that organizations can use to enhance environmental performance.

Question 3

A 'significant deterioration' of air quality in a Class I area (such as a national park) is regulated under which Clean Air Act provision?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

Answer

The PSD program prevents air quality from degrading significantly in areas that already meet NAAQS, with the strictest increments applying to Class I areas.

Question 4

Which regulatory concept requires new or modified major stationary sources in non-attainment areas to obtain 'offsets' greater than their new emissions?

Accepted Answer

Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) with emission offsets

Answer

In non-attainment areas, new sources must apply LAER and obtain emission offsets at a ratio greater than 1:1 to demonstrate net air quality benefit.

Question 5

Under RCRA, a 'small quantity generator' (SQG) generates between how many kilograms of hazardous waste per calendar month?

Accepted Answer

100–1,000 kg

Answer

RCRA classifies SQGs as facilities generating between 100 and 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month, with intermediate regulatory requirements.

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

HSE Environmental Regulations and Sustainability Practices 3