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Participate in a CORE Conversation
Want to learn about the business assistance programs in your community, while providing important feedback on your business needs from your community? Consider participating in a CORE Conversation!
Sign up to participate in a CORE Conversation to make sure your voice is heard, and your access additional state and local resources - contact the CORE Management Committee at
info@coreIllinois.org to participate!
Gasoline Dispensing Facilities that Have Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems Must Decommission the Equipment by December 31, 2016
On December 19, 2013 the Illinois Pollution Control Board adopted rules to: (1) eliminate the Stage II equipment installation requirements for new Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDFs); and (2) require existing retail and commercial GDFs that have Stage II systems to decommission the equipment by December 31, 2016.
At least ten (10) days prior to the start of decommissioning activities at the facility, a Notice of Intent to Decommission Stage II Vapor Recovery Equipment form must be submitted to the Illinois EPA. The Stage II systems must be decommissioned using one or more contractors that have the appropriate licenses and registrations with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Weights & Measures.
Extensions cannot be given and facilities should schedule contractors to complete the decommissioning as soon as possible.
It is important to note that the stage II vapor recovery system must remain in service in good working order with proper maintenance and recordkeeping until the day the contractors arrive to decommission the system.
Facilities that are not going to complete decommissioning by the December 31st deadline are encouraged to notify the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of their intent to comply. The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) has developed a sample letter with important information to include in a letter to Illinois EPA.
For a copy of the sample letter or questions regarding decommissioning, contact the SBEAP at 800-252-3998 or dceo.sbeap@illinois.gov.
 Cutting the Red Tape for Illinois
As part of the Governor's plan to promote economic growth and job creation he has created the Illinois Competitive Council and the "Cutting the Red Tape" initiative.
Burdensome and unnecessary regulations, policies and licensing requirements disproportionately impact small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses.
In order to have the greatest impact, the Illinois Competitiveness Council is seeking input from the public on which rules and regulations are the biggest hindrance to people and businesses.
Know of an onerous, burdensome, outdated, or just plain silly regulation? Anyone can submit feedback to
Cut the Red Tape at
www.illinois.gov/cut.
Registered Smaller Sources Should Ensure They Still Meet Annual Emission Criteria
Don't forget to assess your air emission levels before paying your facility's 2017 Annual Registration Fee for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program.
By paying your 2017 annual registration fee, you are renewing your registration and verifying that your source's calendar year 2016 actual emissions meet the criteria under the Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) Rule
35 Ill. Admin. Section 201.175
. Emission criteria include:
Actual emissions from the source's emission units are less than the following limits for the prior calendar year*:
- 5.0 Tons/yr of combined pollutants (particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic material)
- 0.50 Tons/yr of combined Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
- 0.05 Tons/yr of mercury air emissions
- 0.05 Tons/yr of lead air emissions
If your actual emissions have exceeded the calendar year limits, you must either apply for a permit pursuant to (35 Ill. Admin. Section 201.175g) or if your source was previously permitted and still meets the terms and conditions of the previously issued permit under 35 ILCS Section 201.169 , you must notify the agency of your change in status from a ROSS eligible source to a permitted source within 90 days of the source's annual fee payment date.
Tools to assist with emission calculations for some common ROSS eligible industries can be found here.
Your source's annual fee payment date is based upon the date source's initial air permit or registration was approved.
If you have questions about the ROSS program or calculating your emissions, please contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800-252-3998.
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USEPA Proposes Regulation of Certain Uses of Trichloroethylene under Toxic Substances Control Act: Prohibits Use for Aerosol Degreasing and for Spot Cleaning in Dry Cleaning
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile organic compound widely used in industrial and commercial processes and has some limited uses in consumer and commercial products. EPA identified significant health risks associated with TCE use in aerosol degreasing and for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities. EPA has preliminarily determined that these risks are unreasonable risks. To address these unreasonable risks, EPA is proposing under section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for use in aerosol degreasing and for use in spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities; to prohibit commercial use of TCE for aerosol degreasing and for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities; to require manufacturers, processors, and distributors, except for retailers of TCE for any use, to provide downstream notification of these prohibitions throughout the supply chain; and to require limited recordkeeping.
Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before February 14, 2017. For more information including how to provide comment, click
here.
USEPA Requires Stronger Standards for Applying Restricted-Use Pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized standards for applicators who apply restricted-use pesticides that are not available for purchase by the general public, and require special handling.
USEPA believes these changes will reduce the likelihood of harm from misapplication because these pesticides may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under their direct supervision. EPA's stricter standards would require all people who are certified to apply restricted use pesticides to be at least 18 years of age. These certifications must be renewed every five years.
EPA is requiring specialized licensing for certain application methods such as fumigation and aerial application that can pose greater risks if not conducted properly. For further protection, those working under the supervision of certified applicators will now receive training to use pesticides safely and to protect their families from "take-home" pesticide exposure.
States and Tribes may issue licenses to pesticide applicators with an EPA-approved program who can demonstrate the ability to use these products safely. The final action also updates requirements for state programs and for applicators obtaining licenses. Many states including Illinois already have in place stronger requirements than those included in the final USEPA-approved rules. A comparison chart of the major 2016 revisions versus the existing federal rule is available here.
The final rule includes flexibility for states to continue portions of their existing programs that are equivalent to or exceed the revised federal rule. EPA will work with states to review and approve updated certification plans.
To learn more about USEPA's standards visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/revised-certification-standards-pesticide-applicators
For more information about Pesticide licensing in the State of Illinois visit the following agencies' websites:
Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products Webinars
USEPA is hosting several upcoming webinars that will cover the requirements of the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule or the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI final rule. There will be separate webinars specific to the different categories of entities regulated under the final rule. EPA will also host separate webinars for Accreditation Bodies and Third-Party Certifiers involved in the Third-Party Certification program on how to use the Central Data Exchange platform to submit applications and reports to EPA.
Webinars will cover requirements of the final rule specific to:
- Accreditation Bodies
- Third-Party Certifiers
- Importers, Distributors, and Retailers
- Panel Producers
- Fabricators and Laminated Product Producers
There will also be two general audience webinars offered on the TSCA Title VI rule.
EPA will allot time following each presentation for a question and answer session with EPA staff. For updates regarding webinar availability click here.
Small Entity Guide for Silica released by OSHA
OSHA has released its guidelines for small employers who fall under the scope of the Silica in Construction standard. Whenever OSHA publishes a significant standard such as 1926.1153, the Agency is required to develop materials to help small employers comply.
The "Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction" is in an easy to read format and it is intended to make the new silica standard more understandable to non-attorneys.
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SBEAP HELPLINE
800-252-3998
___________________________
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The Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) is a federally mandated program to assist small businesses with their environmental requirements. SBEAP is a free, confidential, and non-regulatory resource for small business owners to help them understand and comply with state and federal air pollution regulations.
We offer a range of services to assist small businesses, including training seminars and workshops, current permit forms and instructions, links to various Illinois state agency environmental regulations, a quarterly newsletter with regular updates and information on pending and recently amended rulemakings, fact sheets, brochures and guides related to a wide range of small businesses, and links to a directory of environmental consultants.
The SBEAP program is located within the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. For more information please
click here
.
Need Assistance?
Newsletter provided in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network.
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| Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program |
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