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  • How is waste leaving the derailment site tracked?

    EPA on-scene coordinators are assigned to track liquid–and solid–waste trucks entering and leaving the derailment site. They log every truck, oversee the loading and covering of waste, truck washing and weighing, and the proper placement of placards. Responders take pictures throughout the process. All trucks go to approved and regulated…

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  • What happens after the track work is completed?

    The track work has been the highest priority to remove most contamination as early as possible. This, plus preventing the spread of contamination by capturing water from the site and constructing a bypass of Sulphur Run around the site will continue into June. While track work and water management continue…

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  • Change of owner and RMP facility ID number

    If a facility is sold to a new owner, does it keep its' original RMP Facility ID number? Yes. The facility will keep the ID number assigned by EPA.

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  • Facility ID number and re-registering a facility

    If a facility deregisters, then reregisters, should the facility use the original RMP Facility ID or will it be assigned a new ID? The facility should use the original ID assigned by EPA.

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  • Resubmission of RMP for a facility that previously deregistered

    A covered facility deregisters its RMP because it no longer has more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance in a covered process. If the facility becomes subject to the CAA §112(r) risk management program regulations at a later date and submits a new RMP, should the facility submit…

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  • RMP Records Maintained Onsite

    Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart G, the owner or operator of a stationary source subject to the risk management program regulations in Part 68 must develop and submit a risk management plan (RMP). Does the owner or operator have to maintain a written copy of the RMP on…

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  • What is the definition of “overburdened community” that is relevant for EPA Actions and Promising Practices?

    EPA Actions and Promising Practices apply the description of overburdened communities articulated in EPA’s Plan EJ 2014. The term is used to describe the minority, low‐income, tribal and indigenous populations or communities in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks due to exposures or cumulative impacts…

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  • How will an EPA regional office determine whether a permitted activity impacts a potential overburdened community? What screening tool or process will EPA regional offices use to screen permit applications?

    The Agency has developed a nationally consistent screening tool to help identify communities that are potentially overburdened. This tool, known as EJSCREEN, is one of several tools being developed under Plan EJ 2014. EPA anticipates that its regional offices will use EJSCREEN and other readily available information, including known community…

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  • Some of the Promising Practices are mentioned in EPA regulations, guidance and recommendations that EPA has issued in the past. So why is EPA issuing the Promising Practices?

    EPA is issuing Promising Practices to encourage permit applicants to strategically plan and conduct enhanced outreach to overburdened communities in the permitting process. As some commenters noted, EPA has recommended some of the outreach strategies included in Promising Practices previously. Nevertheless, EPA believes that it is important to issue Promising…

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  • Change of Ownership

    If a facility that is subject to the risk management program regulations in 40 CFR Part 68 is sold to another owner, is the facility required to make a correction or a full update of its risk management plan (RMP)? If there are no changes in the covered operations at…

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  • What does the on-site wastewater treatment process on site entail?

    EPA has approved a workplan to allow Norfolk Southern to treat hazardous wastewater on-site, removing vinyl chloride and other contaminants to dispose of the treated wastewater off-site as a non-hazardous waste. Currently, the train derailment site generates nearly one million gallons of wastewater per week from the collection of stormwater…

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  • Where is the treated wastewater going?

    The wastewater treatment system removes derailment contaminants using several steps, including sedimentation and filtration. The treated wastewater is then tested to verify vinyl chloride is below the drinking water standard. Once treated, water is sent to facilities certified to accept non-hazardous wastewater and that are regulated by federal and state…

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  • RMP*eSubmit preparer access

    How does a new Preparer get access to a Risk Management Plan (RMP) via RMP*eSubmit? First, the person must register with CDX. To register with CDX, go to https://cdx.epa.gov/ and complete the registration process for a Risk Management Plan “Preparer”. Once set up as a “Preparer”, the Certifying Official needs…

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  • Are there health risks to driving through Taggart Street?

    There are no anticipated health risks along Taggart Street associated with project activities. As work proceeds, to ensure worker and community safety, the Unified Command will continue to evaluate site conditions for health and safety considerations. While traffic will be able to proceed through the work areas along Taggart Street…

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  • How much waste was removed as part of the cleanup efforts?

    In late October, EPA announced the completion of major derailment site excavation. Remaining contaminated soil and debris were removed for off-site treatment or disposal. Contact water continues to be treated in an on-site wastewater treatment system prior to removal for off-site disposal. As of November 13, over 174,000 tons of…

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