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EPA Proposes to Extend SPCC Regs Again
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Published on July 8, 2004
On June 17, 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed in the
Federal Register which extends by twelve months, certain compliance dates for the July
2002 Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) amendments. The dates
affected by this proposal include the date for a facility to amend its SPCC plan and the
date for a facility to implement that amended plan in a manner that complies with the
newly amended requirements (or, in the case of facilities becoming operational after
August 16, 2002, prepare and implement a plan that complies with the newly amended
requirements). In an effort to reach settlement of litigation involving the July 2002
amendments, EPA is proposing the extension in order to provide sufficient time for the
regulated community to undertake the actions necessary to update (or prepare) their
plans. The proposed extension is also intended to alleviate the need for individual
extension requests.
This proposal affects facilities engaged in crude oil and natural gas extraction as well as
petroleum bulk stations and terminals.
The proposed regulations state:
"If your onshore or offshore facility was in operation on or before August 16, 2002, you
must maintain your plan, but must emend it, if necessary, to ensure compliance with this
part, on or before August 17, 2005, and must implement the amended plan as soon
possible, but not later than February 18, 2006. If your onshore or offshore facility
becomes operational after August 16, 2002, through February 18, 2006, and could
reasonably be expected to have a discharge as described in 40 CFR 112.1(b), you must
prepare a plan on or before February 18, 2006, and fully implement it as soon as
possible, but not later than February 18, 2006."
"If you are the owner or operator of an onshore or offshore facility that becomes
operational after February 18, 2006, and could reasonably be expected to have a
discharge as described in 40 CFR 112.1(b), you must prepare and implement a plan
before you begin operations."
If you have questions about this proposed rule, or if you need assistance with the
preparation of an SPCC plan, contact David Lewis at
david.lewis@jccteam.com
or (281) 578-3388.
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