Environmental Tidbits
Increase in South Carolina Permit Fees
In January, the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved a series of regulations that would set or raise fees to apply for some permits. The permits involved include the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Non-Discharge annual permit fees, drinking water annual fees, water quality certification applications, and annual operating fees for agricultural facilities. The amended regulations have been sent to the legislature for approval.
New EPA Regional Administrators
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman has appointed Jimmy Palmer, Jr as the new director for region 4 and Donald Welsh as the new administrator for region 3. Mr. Palmer served as the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality where he held this position for twelve years. Welsh is returning to the Region 3 office where he previously worked as chief of government affairs from 1991 to 1995 and executive assistant to the regional administrator from 1985 to 1991. Welsh worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from 1995 to present. He was deputy secretary for state/federal relations and he also served as special assistant to the Secretary. Both positions required him to be in direct contact with the EPA.
Mold Legislation
A federal bill on toxic mold is expected to be introduced in congress by this spring. Several states are currently adopting or considering legislation on mold. In California, legislation is pending, Texas is working on voluntary guidelines, and Maryland is adopting regulations to protect workers from mold related illnesses.
Large settlements and judgments for mold infestation are being awarded. Last year, the Deleware Supreme Court upheld a $1 million verdict against a landlord resulting from mold related problems. In Texas, an insurance company was held liable for more than $30 million for mold infestation in a bathroom.
New ENERGY STAR Campaign
Christie Whitman, EPA Administrator, has launched a new ENERGY STAR campaign called "Change". This new campaign will increase public awareness on how to protect our environment by changing to energy efficient products and practices. Industry can participate by qualifying to receive the ENERGY STAR label for buildings. In order to receive the label, overall energy performance for the building must rank among the top 25 percent of all similar-use buildings. For more information go to www.energystar.gov.
Draft Rule on Unzoned Areas
The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has proposed a draft rule for new or expanded facilities in areas without zoning. The draft rule states that before a person can submit a permit application in an unzoned area the applicant must publish a legal notice in a newspaper in the area where the source is located at least two weeks before submitting the permit application. A sign must be posted on the property that meets the following criteria:
- Six square feet in area
- Bottom of the sign is at least six feet above the ground
- Lettering on the sign must be a size that the sign can be read by a person with 20/20 vision standing in the center of the road
- Sign must be posted at least 10 days before the permit application is submitted and shall remain posted for at least 30 days after the application is submitted
Additional information can be found at:
http://daq.state.nc.us/rules/draft.
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