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Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
Illinois Dept. of Commerce
& Economic Opportunity
500 East Monroe R-5
Springfield, IL 62701 |
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 Illinois UpdatesIDPH Proposes New Rules for Asbestos in Commercial and Public Buildings & Adds Asbestos Consultant License, Doubles Existing License Fees & More: Comments Due Jan 18, 2012
The Department of Public Health proposed amendments to "Asbestos Abatement for Public and Private Schools and Commercial and Public Buildings in Illinois" (77 Ill. Adm. Code 855; 36 Ill. Reg. 16804) that implement Public Act 93-894. PA 93-894 requires DPH to license asbestos abatement consultants and establishes licensing requirements for these consultants. The rulemaking, among other things, makes requirements for asbestos abatement in commercial and public building consistent with school asbestos abatement requirements. Commercial or Public Building or "CPB" means the interior space of any building, except that the term does not include any residential apartment building of fewer than 10 units or detached single family homes. The term includes, but is not limited to: industrial and office buildings, residential apartment buildings and condominiums of 10 or more dwelling units, government-owned buildings, colleges, museums, airports, hospitals, churches, schools, preschools, stores, warehouses, and factories. Interior space includes exterior hallways connecting buildings, porticos, and mechanical systems used to condition interior space. (It is important to note that these rules are separate and in addition to the federal USEPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) that is delegated to and enforced by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.) Commercial and Public Building owners should be aware that the Illinois Department of Public Health has more stringent definitions for "friable" and "renovation" that are not consistent with the NESHAP requirements. "Friable" when referring to material in a school building or a commercial or public building is material, when dry, may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure, and includes previously nonfriable materials after such previously nonfriable material becomes damaged to the extent that, when dry, it may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. The term includes nonfriable asbestos-containing materials which will be subjected to sanding,grinding, cutting, abrading, drilling, chipping, pulverizing, or other procedures likely to reduce these materials to a powder or cause asbestos fibers to become airborne." The proposed rules define "Renovation" as altering a school or CPB of one or more facility components in any way, including stripping or removing ACBM from a facility component. The department is also creating new requirements for notification to the department for removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing floor tile. All floor tile previously analyzed found to be negative for asbestos using PLM must be retested using Test Method- Method for Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials, TEM Method . The section also creates a floor tile supervisor and floor tile worker designation requiring a 12 hour training course and 8 hr training course respectively. Additional information can be found in the proposed section, "Whole Floor Tile Removal Procedures 855.340." The Department is also incorporating by reference many state and federal statutes. IDPH also is clarifying responsibilities of commercial and public building owners and commercial and public building inspection & abatement procedures. The amendments are too extensive to list in their entirety and the proposed rules can be found here in the December 7th Illinois Register under Asbestos Abatement for Public and Private Schools and Commercial and Public Buildings in Illinois 77 Ill. Adm. Code 855. IDPH is also proposing to double the licensee fees for most asbestos abatement professional licenses and is proposing rules to create the "Asbestos Consultant" license. The proposed application fee is $250 in addition to the $500 annual license fee. An asbestos consultant is defined as a person offering expert or professional advice as an asbestos professional or designated person. This license may be required in addition to the existing asbestos abatement professional license (s) an individual may hold.
The economic effect of this proposed rulemaking is unknown. Therefore, the Department requests any information that would assist in calculating this effect.
If this proposed rule will have an impact on your business, please let us know by contacting Katy.Khayyat@Illinois.gov, or submitting comments to dph.rules@illinois.gov, or fill out our online survey at: http://ienconnect.custhelp.com/ci/documents/detail/5/6.
For questions or to submit comments, contact Susan Meister, Division of Legal Services, Illinois Department of Public Health, 535 W. Jefferson Street, 5th Floor, Springfield, IL 62761. Call (217) 782-2043, or email: dph.rules@illinois.gov.
Cook County Department of Environmental Control (CCDEC) Requires 70% of Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling
As of November 21, 2012, the Cook County Department of Environmental Control (CCDEC) now requires that 70% of debris generated during the demolition of residential, commercial and industrial structures be recycled and/or reused. Please note, garages and sheds are exempt from this requirement. In order to assist demolition contractors in achieving this requirement, CCDEC is utilizing a Green Halo Systems, an on-line software system which can be used by contractors, developers, etc. to develop waste diversion plans, to store waste recycling information, and to assist in locating recycling facilities and other resources associated with demolition (and construction).
The main goal of this ordinance is to reduce the amount of construction and demolition debris going into landfills, however there are several other benefits as well. These benefits include - limiting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by transporting waste to landfills (by having the materials transported to recycling facilities that are generally more readily accessible) and spurring economic development by creating job opportunities related to deconstruction activities, green-jobs (with recycling and re-use facilities).
Green Halo Systems is based in California and is widely used by municipalities in the western region of the United States and, according to Dean Rodatos CEO of Green Halo Systems, the Cook County Department of Environmental Control is the first municipal department in the Midwest to use this completely paper-less, on-line system.
Below are three very useful links for demolition contractors performing work in the suburban Cook County area.
http://www.cookcountygov.com/taxonomy2/Environmental%20Control/PDF/Cook%20County%20Dept%20%20Env%20%20Control%202012%20Ordinance%20Changes.pdf
This link will take you to a summary of the changes to the ordinance that went into effect on Nov. 21st. http://www.cookcountygov.com/taxonomy2/Environmental%20Control/PDF/CD%20Recycler%20List.pdf
This link will take you to a list of recycling and reuse facilities in Cook County and the surrounding areas.https://www.greenhalosystems.com/
The above link will take you to the Green Halo System website, this is the website for contractors to enter their demolition debris diversion plan.
2013 Environmental Issues 101 - Construction Related Regulatory Workshops
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program will be hosting a series of construction related workshops throughout February 2013.
- 02/05/13 Joliet Junior College, Joliet
- 02/08/13 Harper College, Palatine
- 02/19/13 Illinois State University Alumni Center, Normal
- 02/26/13 Southern Illinois University, Small Business Development Center, Carbondale
All workshops will be held from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm. Registration fee is $50 with lunch provided. Those trades that should plan to attend include: contractors, engineers, architects, radon professionals, property managers, home inspectors, and local building code officials. Representatives from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Labor, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency will be presenting on topics including asbestos, lead, construction debris, radon, and more.
Please visit www.ienconnect.com/enviro for registration and more information or call the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 1-800-252-3998.
City of Chicago Asbestos Notification Requirements and Fees effective Jan 1, 2013.
Performance standards for facility demolitions or renovations requiring asbestos
abatement. (see 11-4-2170 (e) of the Chicago Municipal Code)
(1) Licensed asbestos professionals: No asbestos abatement shall be performed in any
facility within the City of Chicago unless all persons performing such abatement work are licensed and approved in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations for licensure established by the State of Illinois in Title 77, Part 855, Subpart B of the Illinois Administrative Code, as they may be amended from time to time, which regulations are adopted and incorporated by reference and made a part of this section of the Chicago Municipal Code as if fully set forth herein.
(2) Performance standards for asbestos abatement: Any asbestos abatement performed in connection with any facility within the City of Chicago shall be performed in accordance with the rules and regulations for asbestos abatement established by the State of Illinois in Title 77, Part 855, Subparts C and D of the Illinois Administrative Code, as they may be amended from time to time, which regulations are adopted and incorporated by reference and made a part of this section as if fully set forth herein.
(3) Notification required: Any person performing asbestos abatement at any facility
within the City of Chicago shall provide the department with notice of the abatement by
submitting the following forms, accompanied by the environmental review fee required by this section: (i) a fully completed copy of all notification forms required pursuant to Title 40, Part 61 of the Code of Federal Regulations, entitled "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)," and Section 855.220 of Title 77, Part 855 of the Illinois Administrative Code; and (ii) in the case of a demolition of a facility with asbestos containing material, a fully completed and signed notice of intent to demolish form, in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(4) Timing of notifications:
(i) A copy of the notification form required pursuant to Section 855.220 of Title 77,
Part 855 of the Illinois Administrative Code shall be filed with the Department at the same time the notification is required to be provided to the state.
(ii) The Notice of intent to demolish shall be made to the department at least ten
working days prior to the demolition. The requirement to file the notice of intent to demolish ten working days prior to the demolition shall not apply in the event of a demolition involving a building, facility or other structure that has been found to be structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse by a proper city or state authority or court of competent jurisdiction.
(5) Rescheduling of demolition starting dates.
(1) In the event that any owner or operator intends to begin a demolition at a date later
than the start date contained in any notification required to be filed under this section, then that person must: (i) notify the department that the demolition will not begin on the original start date by telephone or fax as soon as possible before the original start date; and (ii) provide written notification to the department of the new start date at least ten working days prior to the new start date.
(2) In the event that any owner or operator intends to begin a demolition at a date earlier
than the start date contained in any notification required to be filed under this section, then that person must provide written notification to the department of the new start date at least ten working days before the demolition work begins.
(3) In no event shall a demolition operation begin on a date other than the date contained in the written notice of the new start date unless authorized pursuant to the emergency provisions set forth in Subsection (a) of this section.
Environmental fees.
(see 11-4-2170 (g) of the Chicago Municipal Code)
The fees are as follows:
- Residential structures with four or fewer units $300.00
- Residential structures with more than four units $450.00
- All other (Nonresidential) structures $600.00
- A mixed-use structure shall be assessed at the highest applicable rate. Work performed by or for the city shall not be subject to the fee set forth in this subsection.
For more information visit the City of Chicago Department of Public Health website at www.cityofchicago.org
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Federal Updates
EPA Finalizes Clean Air Standards for Industrial Boilers, Incinerators and Cement Kilns
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that will reduce pollution, including mercury and particle pollution, while also addressing feedback provided by industry and labor groups, increasing the rule's flexibility and dramatically reducing costs. It is estimated that 99 percent of the approximately 1.5 million boilers in the U.S. are not covered or can meet the new standards by conducting periodic maintenance or regular tune-ups.
The final adjustments to the standards are based on an extensive analysis of data and input from states, environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public. As a result of information gathered through this review, including significant dialogue and meetings with public health groups, industry, and the public, the final rule dramatically cuts the cost of implementation by individual boilers that EPA proposed in 2010.
The rules set numerical emission limits for less than one percent of boilers - those that emit the majority of pollution from this sector. For these high emitting boilers and incinerators, typically operating at refineries, chemical plants and other industrial facilities, EPA is establishing more targeted emissions limits that protect public health and provide industry with practical, cost-effective options to meet the standards.
EPA has also finalized revisions to the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule to provide clarity on what types of secondary materials are considered non-waste fuels and provide greater flexibility in rule implementation. This final rule classifies a number of secondary materials as categorical non-wastes when used as a fuel and allows for operators to request that EPA identify specific materials through rulemaking as a categorical non-waste fuel.
In a separate EPA action , to meet a court deadline, the agency issued final amendments to the 2010 clean air standards for the cement manufacturing industry. The final amendments maintain the significant emission reductions from the 2010 standards, while providing industry additional time to implement the revised rules. More information: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/cement
More detailed information on the final standards for boilers and incinerators: www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion
Energy Department to Provide Technical Assistance to Facilities Impacted by EPA Boiler Rule
On December 20, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a specific set of adjustments to Clean Air Act standards, originally finalized in March 2011, for boilers and certain solid waste incinerators. The National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters (known as Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)), sets standards to cut emissions of hazardous air pollutants, such as mercury, dioxin, and lead, from large boilers in a range of industrial facilities and institutions. DOE will offer technical assistance to affected sites currently burning coal or oil, highlighting strategies such as natural gas combined heat and power (CHP), and more efficient boilers, to cut harmful pollution and reduce operational costs.
DOE will provide site-specific technical and cost information to the major source facilities currently burning coal or oil through its regional Clean Energy Application Centers (CEACs). The CEACs will visit these facilities to discuss strategies for compliance, including CHP, as well as provide information on potential funding and financing opportunities available for CHP, controls, boilers and energy efficiency assessments. Facilities that make use of this technical assistance can potentially develop strategies to comply with the regulations while adding to their bottom line. DOE has been conducting a pilot of the technical assistance program in Ohio since March 2012 in partnership with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The pilot program has engaged with a variety of industrial and energy efficiency stakeholders in the state and effectively connected affected facilities with clean energy solutions.
In accordance with the August 2012 Executive Order on Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency, DOE has joined EPA in an effort to help ensure that major sources burning coal and oil have information on cost-effective clean energy strategies for compliance. For more information on the DOE technical assistance program, see:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/distributedenergy/boilermact.html
Additional Resources
Information on financial incentives available at the local, state, utility and federal levels to assist facilities with the costs of investing in CHP, boiler tune-ups, controls and/or energy efficiency assessments is available at:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/states/pdfs/incentives_boiler_mact.pdf
Information about the rule, including links to the regulatory dockets, technical information on how the limits were developed, and impact assessments, is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion/actions.html
USEPA Adopts Revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution
On December 14, 2012 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted final standards that amended the annual health National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particles (PM2.5) to 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). The prior standard was 15.0 µg/m3.USEPA retained the existing 24-hour health standard and the existing secondary standards for PM2.5. Additionally, USEPA retained the existing standards for coarse particle pollution (PM10). The annual standard remains at 15 µg/m3 and the 24-hour standard is 35 µg/m3.
USEPA is using a phased in approach to making improvements to the PM2.5 monitoring system and will relocate some monitors to measure fine particles near heavily traveled roads in areas with a population of 1 million or more. They will use existing monitors, and will have them relocated over two years (2015 - 2017). Attainment/nonattainment designations should be completed by December, 2014 - with designations becoming effective by 2015. States have five years after the effective date of the designations (until 2020) to meet the revised annual standard.
For more information on this rule and a map of the areas in the United States that the USEPA anticipates will not be able to meet the new standard go to:http://www.epa.gov/pm/actions.html#dec12
RECONSIDERATION OF NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING AREA SOURCES; AMENDMENTS ACTION
On December 14, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revised the national air
toxics standards for smaller-emitting sources, known as area sources, in the chemical
manufacturing industry. The EPA is extending the compliance date for existing sources. Existing sources must now comply with the final rule by 90 days after the final amendments are published in the Federal Register.
To download a copy of the notice go to the EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3pfpr.html.
This final rule and other background information are also available either electronically at
http://www.regulations.gov, materials for this final action can be accessed using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0334. For further information about the final rule, contact Nick Parsons of the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at (919) 541-5372 or parsons.nick@epa.gov.
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Training & Events
22nd Annual Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety & Health (DIOSH) Day February 27th
DIOSH Day is for employers, employees, and all others interested in safety and health. Experts in the field will present a program on the most current issues in safety and health today. Many governmental agencies will have booths in the exhibit area. This is a great opportunity to get your workplace safety questions answered in a neutral setting. The event will be held on February 27th at the Peoria Civic Center and information on the event including registration can be found here. IL Food Scrap Composting Seminar - Save The Date - Feb 7, 2013 With support from a grant from the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to the Illinois Recycling Association (IRA), a day-long seminar on composting food scraps will be held Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Westin Hotel in Lombard. Presentations on various aspects of food scrap collection and processing will be provided. The US Composting Council will provide the seminar's keynote speaker and an overview on current industry best practices and trends. Cost to attend the Food Scrap Composting Seminar are minimal, at $30 for IRA members and students, and $40 for non-members (includes break snacks, lunch and seminar materials). For more information and to register for the event, visit the Illinois Recycling Association website at http://illinoisrecycles.org . Registration is available up to February 4, with on-site registration the day of the event for $5 increased registration fee. Illinois Organizations Receive Awards for Achievements in Environmental Protection
A pair of environmental recognition programs have joined together to honor organizations that have achieved significant achievements in protecting the environment and helping sustain the future. Winners of the Governor's Sustainability Awards and the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact Awards Program were presented during a luncheon in Oak Brook.
Twenty-one Illinois companies and organizations have been honored with Governor's Sustainability Awards presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC). ISTC is a unit of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governor's awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices that will also save money and help the economy. Any Illinois public or private organization is eligible to apply for an award. Organizations who are winning for the first time received the Sustainability Award. Those organizations that have won in past years and are continuing their environmental efforts are awarded a Continuous Improvement Award.
"These businesses and organizations have shown that it is possible to create and maintain conditions under which people and the environment can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social and economic requirements of present and future generations," said Manohar Kulkarni, ISTC Director.
The 2012 Governor's Sustainability Award winners are: - Sustainability Award (first time winners)
- Advocate Health Care - Oak Brook
- Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. - Rosemont
- CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business - Chicago
- City of Moline - Moline
- Clarke - Roselle
- County of Will - Joliet
- Flex-N-Gate Urbana - Urbana
- Fluorecycle, Inc. - Ingleside
- Knauz Automotive Group - Lake Bluff
- The Label Printers LP - Aurora
- Lawrence Foods, Inc. - Elk Grove Village
- Naperville Park District - Naperville
- Naval Station Great Lakes - Great Lakes
- The Peterson Garden Project - Chicago
- Quaker Foods & Snacks - Bridgeview
- Testa Produce, Inc. - Chicago
- Wight & Company - Darien
- Continuous Improvement
- Caterpillar Technical Center - Mossville
- Farmland Foods, Inc. - Monmouth
- Vaughan & Bushnell Mfg. Co. - Bushnell
- Village of Schaumburg - Schaumburg
The other recognition is for participants in the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, which outlines environmental goals that colleges and universities may adopt on their campuses. The Compact includes objectives such as purchasing renewable energy, implementing green building practices, developing sustainable transportation options, improving water conservation, and incorporating sustainable dining practices. The program offers universities and colleges three levels of participation:
* Bronze institutions making a commitment to creating a sustainability program and engaging the campus community.
* Silver institutions which are ready to make targeted commitments to greening their operations and monitoring performance.
* Gold for institutions that are integrating sustainability throughout their campus and working towards measured improvement.
The twenty-one Illinois colleges and universities being honored, and their recognition level are: - Danville Area Community College - Danville - Bronze
- DePaul University - Chicago - Bronze
- Elmhurst College - Elmhurst - Bronze
- Heartland Community College - Normal - Bronze
- Illinois Institute of Technology - Chicago - Gold
- Joliet Junior College - Joliet - Gold
- Kankakee Community College - Kankakee - Gold
- Lewis & Clark Community College - Godfrey - Gold
- Lewis University - Romeoville - Bronze
- Lincoln Land Community College - Springfield - Bronze
- Moraine Valley Community College - Palos Hills - Gold
- Northwestern College - Bridgeview - Bronze
- Northwestern University - Chicago - Bronze
- Roosevelt University - Chicago - Bronze
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Bronze
- Southwestern Illinois College - Belleville - Bronze
- Triton College - River Grove - Bronze
- University of Illinois at Chicago - Gold
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Gold
- Waubonsee Community College - Aurora - Gold
- Wilbur Wright College - Chicago - Bronze
The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the home of the Illinois State Scientific Surveys: Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. It was established by statute in 2008 and builds on the Surveys' reputations for basic and applied research and service. www.prairie.illinois.edu
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) was established in 1985 and joined the Prairie Research Institute with the other surveys in 2008. Its mission is to be at the forefront of environmental and energy research and innovative technological advances that reduce wastes and protect natural resources. It imparts this knowledge
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