Patricia A. Mason, P.E.
Tis the reporting season!
-July 22, 2015
Tis the semi-annual monitoring report season! Many facilities with KPDES general wastewater discharge permits and/or with air permits have semi -annual reports due on July 28 (DMRs) or July 30 (SAMRs). KPDES Discharge Monitoring Reporting (DMRs) for general industrial stormwater permit KYR00 have a semi-annual reporting deadline of January 28 and July 28. To help […]
Change Announced to Kentucky’s “Sulfuric Acid Battery Facility Policy”
-July 7, 2015
Many facilities in Kentucky have been subject to emergency planning requirements solely because of their industrial batteries which contain sulfuric acid. The Kentucky Emergency Response Commission’s “Sulfuric Acid Battery Facility Policy,” originally enacted on 24 July 2003, which required local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) to develop TAB Q-7 plans for all facilities with lead acid […]
Audit Policy
-June 24, 2015
SMG routinely works with clients to maintain and improve environmental compliance. In cases of potential non-compliance, we work to remedy the issue and work to eliminate or minimize penalties. One tool we evaluate for mitigating potential penalties is voluntary self-disclosure. This option is available with EPA through use of their Audit Policy or Small Business […]
Bat Conservation Strategy & Conservation MOA Update
-May 26, 2015
SMG attended Bat Conservation Strategy & Conservation MOA training hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Kentucky Field Office last week. Topics included the threatened species listing and interim rule for the Northern Long-eared Bat which went into effect May 4th, 2015. Earlier this week, we briefly described the interim rule. Additionally, training […]
OZONE SEASON AND THE OPEN BURN BAN
-April 28, 2015
It was a great weekend for a bonfire, especially since the seasonal burn ban at my house starts May 1. Most materials are illegal to burn. The Division for Air Quality can impose fines of up to $25,000 per day per violation of the law. According to KY Title 401 KAR 63:005, some open burning […]
DAQ News Update
-February 18, 2015
I was informed at the KY Environmental Conference last week that Emission Inventory letters were being mailed. Due to some staff changes at DAQ, the deadline for the EIS has been extended this year until March 13th. If you are a DAQ permittee, be on the lookout for your letter with instructions to complete the electronic […]
SMG presents at the 13th Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference
-February 10, 2015
The 13th Annual Kentucky Environmental Conference is being held in Lexington, KY on February 10-11, 2015. The conference will focus on Kentucky and federal environmental policies and regulations with information about new environmental compliance mandates. Smith Management Group will be presenting two different presentations. SMG’s Patricia Mason will present a Crash Course on SPCC and […]
Air Compliance Open House on January 9
-January 5, 2015
The Division of Compliance Assistance (DCA) and the Division for Air Quality (DAQ) are presenting an educational opportunity to offer guidance on annual compliance certifications and semiannual monitoring reports. This free open house on January 9, 2015 will allow attendees to talk to DCA and DAQ staff regarding permit reporting. Staff can help attendees complete […]
Common Permits for Industrial Facilities
-December 23, 2014
Some of my most exciting work at SMG is to manage environmental permitting for new facilities or facility expansions. Identifying all of the permits and registrations required is no simple job, especially when the site is located in a jurisdiction where we have not had previous projects. It is common to have federal, state, and […]
DAQ Releases 2014 Annual Report
-November 19, 2014
The Kentucky Division of Air Quality (DAQ) 2014 Annual Report was recently added to the KDEP website. The report was printed in September and includes a wealth of information about air programs and air quality in the Commonwealth. I like to use these annual reports to monitor trends in inspections, permitting, monitoring, and pollutants. Items […]