Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 16 - 30 of 60 results

  • Is the RMP submission date the postmark date or EPA's receipt?

    Initial RMPs must be "submitted" by a certain date, and RMPs must be updated at least every five years from the date of its submission. What constitutes "submission" for purposes of meeting and determining these deadlines - postmarking the RMP or EPA's receipt of the RMP by the due date…

    • Last published:

  • Updating RMP if substance no longer held in excess of threshold quantity

    If a facility had a covered process that was previously subject to the Program 2 or 3 requirements, but no longer holds the regulated substance in excess of the threshold quantity due to a decrease in production or storage, must the facility update its risk management plan (RMP)? If a…

    • Last published:

  • Who should sign the certification statement?

    The owner or operator of a stationary source must submit in the RMP a statement certifying that the RMP is accurate and complete (40 CFR §68.185). Who should sign this certification statement? EPA has not promulgated regulations under 40 CFR Part 68 specifying who must sign the certification statement nor…

    • Last published:

  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

    • Last published:

  • What is EPA doing?

    EPA is working with its governmental partners and other stakeholders to investigate and address the issue. Most recently, EPA issued a letter to the state of Minnesota requesting a plan of action to address nitrate contamination in drinking water.

    • Last published:

  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

    • Last published:

  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

    • Last published:

  • How does EPA verify accuracy and completeness of RMPs?

    What does EPA plan to do to verify the accuracy and completeness of submitted Risk Management Plans (RMPs)? All RMPs received by EPA go through an electronic verification process that checks the submission for its completeness. This completeness check determines whether information has been provided for all of the required…

    • Last published:

  • Are facilities required to use an Integrated Contingency Plan?

    A number of federal statutes and regulations require emergency response planning (e.g., risk management planning under the Clean Air Act Section 112(r), contingency planning under RCRA, and facility response planning under the Oil Pollution Act). On June 5, 1996, the National Response Team (NRT), published the Integrated Contingency Plan ("One…

    • Last published:

  • Will an Integrated Contingency Plan satisfy RMP requirements?

    The National Response Team's Integrated Contingency Plan guidance, or "One Plan," provides a format for consolidating multiple emergency response plans required under RCRA, OPA, SPCC, DOT, OSHA, and CAA §112(r). Will an Integrated Contingency Plan satisfy all of the risk management program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68? No. An…

    • Last published:

  • Inclusion of release scenarios in executive summary

    Do I have to include a description of my worst-case and alternative release scenario in my executive summary? I'm concerned that the description contains sensitive information, which if included in the executive summary will be available to the public without restriction. No, facilities are not required to include a description…

    • Last published:

  • Withdrawal of an erroneous RMP submission

    What should a facility do if it submitted a risk management plan (RMP) but later discovers that it was never subject to the risk management program requirements? If a facility discovers that it submitted an RMP in error and was never subject to the risk management program regulations, it should…

    • Last published:

  • Changes required for adding new reactor vessels for same substance

    What if I change a process by adding new reactor vessels, but do not change the substances? Because increasing the number of reactor vessels is usually a major change to your process, you will have six months to update your RMP to reflect changes in your prevention program elements and…

    • Last published:

  • Who is responsible for preparing and submitting an RMP for leased propane tanks?

    If an owner of a stationary source leases propane tanks from a gas supplier, who is responsible for preparing and submitting the risk management plan (RMP) addressing the propane tanks? The owner of the stationary source is responsible for preparing and submitting the RMP. The risk management program regulations apply…

    • Last published:

  • New owner using existing RMP

    If a Risk Management Plan (RMP) facility is sold to a new owner, does the new owner have to develop a whole new RMP? Or can they use the existing RMP? No, a facility does not complete a new RMP as the facility keeps the original EPA Facility ID number…

    • Last published: