In recent months U.S. EPA took several different actions related to CBI and how it is treated for submitting data under the requirements of 40 CFR Part 98 (the GHG Reporting Rule).  In two (2) separate rules published on December 27, 2010 and August 25, 2011, U.S. EPA deferred the reporting deadline for data elements that are used by reporters as inputs to GHG emission calculation equations under the GHG Reporting Rule.  The deadline for reporting some of these data elements is now deferred to March 31, 2013 and the deadline for reporting others is deferred to March 31, 2015.  Examples of these deferred data elements include (more...)

We know that environmental professionals wear multiple hats - especially those with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) roles.  What if your Environmental hat was a little easier to wear?  What if you had an organized summary of last month's environmental activity delivered right to your inbox?  Come meet ALL4's Annalise Matulewicz at the NSC Expo October 31 - November 2 and learn more about EnviroReview, ALL4's customized environmental regulatory update service.  You don't know what you're missing.

Did you know that ALL4 was recently named to the 2011 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America for the 4th consecutive year? How about that we were named to The Zweig Letter's 2011 Hot Firms List? Or to the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2011 list of Best Places to Work? It's been quite a year - we'd like to thank all of our clients, partners, and staff for helping us make the ALL4 vision for being a best-in-class company a reality!

When I graduated from college I got a job as a plant environmental manager for a chemical specialties manufacturer.  I had plant responsibilities for environmental, health, and safety.  At the time, many of the company's products contained chemicals that were being phased out due to their ozone depleting potential.  I was heavily involved in the transition to alternate chemicals, including educating customers on the product changes forced by the elimination of many of the solvents that had served industry for many years.  It was an interesting time.  After about three years I accepted a corporate environmental position at a multi-site paperboard packaging company.  Over the years I had environmental responsibilities for up to 10 facilities in the U.S. and Canada.  During my tenure the company transitioned from solvent-based printing to water-based printing, and greatly reduced emissions.  I worked there for 17 years working my way to corporate environmental manager.  

 Click here to read more of Bob's responses to questions such as:

• What one piece of advice would you give to college students looking for a position in the consulting business?
• What do you like best about your career?
• What was your biggest challenge in your first year?
• Who is the best dresser at ALL4?
• What makes you great?
• As a big Phillies fan, give me your 4-man pitching rotation for the playoffs, 1-4 and a prediction on the playoffs. 

EnviroReview is ALL4's customized environmental regulatory update product which summarizes multimedia environmental changes at the Federal, state, and local level.  Being on top of the regulatory development process is paramount to continued environmental compliance.  "EnviroReview Extract" is a monthly feature sharing several highlights of the previous month's EnviroReview.  This month's highlights include:

Federal News
U.S. EPA has deferred the reporting deadline for data elements that are used by direct emitter reporters as inputs to emission equations under the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The deadline for reporting some of these data elements was deferred to March 31, 2013 and the deadline for reporting others was deferred to March 31, 2015. This final rule does not change any other requirements of the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The effective date of this rule was September 9, 2011.

Federal News
U.S. EPA has proposed to address the reviews of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for volatile organic compound and sulfur dioxide emissions from natural gas processing plants. U.S. EPA has proposed to add to the source category list any oil and gas operation not covered by the current listing. This action also includes proposed amendments to the existing NSPS for volatile organic compounds from natural gas processing plants and proposed standards for operations that are not covered by the existing NSPS. In addition, this action proposes how U.S. EPA will address the residual risk and technology review conducted for the oil and natural gas production and natural gas transmission and storage National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). This action further proposes standards for emission sources within these two (2) source categories that are not currently addressed, as well as amendments to improve aspects of these NESHAP related to applicability and implementation. Finally, this action addresses provisions in these NSPS and NESHAP related to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction. 

Federal News
U.S. EPA has issued a final rule following completion of its review of the air quality criteria and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for carbon monoxide (CO).  U.S. EPA has concluded that the current primary standards are requisite to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, and is retaining those standards.  U.S EPA has also concluded that no secondary standard should be set for CO at this time.  U.S. EPA has also made changes to the ambient air monitoring requirements for CO, including those related to network design, and has updated, without substantive change, aspects of the Federal reference method.

Pennsylvania News
U.S. EPA has approved a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The SIP revisions pertain to the control of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from glass melting furnaces. U.S. EPA has approved these revisions to reduce NOx emissions from glass melting furnaces in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Most of you are probably fairly happy with your current work situation.  Why wouldn't you be in this economy, it is just good to have a job.  

• That there might be something more out there, something more challenging?
• About working in an environment without all the red tape?  
• What it would feel like to be part of a real team environment where everyone is pulling for the same common goal?  
• About starting your own company?
• What it would feel like to be a part of a best in class company that offers unlimited personal and professional growth opportunities?