BACKGROUND

Pollution prevention (P2) means "source reduction," as defined under the Pollution Prevention Act, and other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through:

• increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources; or
• protection of natural resources by conservation.

The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) was created in 1997 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to lay the groundwork for a seamless national network of easy to access, high quality pollution prevention information that promotes waste reduction throughout the United States.

Much of this information is now provided through “Topic Hubs,” which are web-based guides to peer-reviewed pollution prevention information and expertise on a particular subject. Included in the 70 topic hubs is the Auto Salvage Topic Hub found at http://www.p2rx.org/topichubs/index.cfm?page=toc&hub_id=506&subsec_id=7. Following are some relevant excerpts from this site.

SOURCES OF POTENTIAL POLLUTION AT SALVAGE YARDS

Environmental contamination can occur at many stages of the salvage yard operations. Soil, groundwater and air can be contaminated during vehicle disassembly and fluid drainage operations. Contamination can also result from improper handling and storage of materials (batteries, captured refrigerants, fluids, etc). In addition to a variety of fluids that may contaminate the environment if spilled or evaporated, automobiles are also a source of other hazardous materials, such as mercury, lead, and asbestos.

The two most important regulatory issues for salvage yards are fluid management and contaminated stormwater. Other issues most subject to regulation are:

• Storage tanks--above ground and under ground
• Fugitive air emissions--evaporating fuel, refrigerants
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) recovery licensure and training
• Improper disposal
• Tire storage and disposal

For information on how best to manage these issues, go to the relevant fact sheets for your state posted on ECAR at http://www.ecarcenter.org/ecartour.html.

NEED FOR ACTION

The auto salvage industry is fast becoming a highly regulated industry in the United States by EPA, state environmental regulatory agencies, county government, and municipal government. By taking preventive actions, salvage yards can minimize the potential for regulatory enforcement and increase positive public perception of the reuse and recycling roles that auto salvage yards play.

FEDERAL ACTIONS

EPA and DOE Announce First Public Meeting of Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage
EPA and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted the first meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage in early May.

The task force, co-chaired by DOE and EPA, is charged with proposing a plan to overcome the barriers to the widespread, cost-effective deployment of carbon capture and storage within 10 years, with a goal of bringing five to 10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016. The task force is comprised of 14 executive departments and federal agencies and was established by a presidential memorandum. The task force’s plan is due to the president in August 2010.

For more information go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/ccs/meetings

STATE ACTIONS

NY DEC Embraces Green Remediation
As the agency responsible for directing, overseeing and implementing the cleanup of contaminated sites in New York State, DEC is now considering sustainability in all aspects of how it implements its environmental cleanup programs.

Green remediation considers site cleanup in the context of the larger environment. It is a holistic approach that improves the sustainability of cleanups by promoting the use of more sustainable practices and technologies. Using more sustainable practices and technologies is less disruptive to the environment, uses less energy, generates less waste, increases reuse and recycling, and emits fewer pollutants, including greenhouse gases, to the atmosphere. This approach also considers the economic and social benefits of site reuse and supports coordination of site reuse with remediation to yield the most beneficial and sustainable outcome.

Green Remediation Concepts
Examples of how some of the major green remediation concepts would be used include the following:

• Using equipment that burns clean diesel fuel
• Designing stormwater management systems to recharge aquifers
• Using renewable energy if possible or purchasing renewable-energy credits
• Reusing and recycling construction and demolition debris and other materials
• Reusing existing buildings and infrastructure to reduce waste
• Minimizing wildlife habitat disturbance and creating or enhancing habitat or usable land

DEC recently released a draft policy, which includes a long list of green-remediation techniques. You can review the draft document: DER-31/Green Remediation (PDF, 7 pages, 85 KB).

TCEQ Announces Grants for Alternative Fuel and Hybrid Vehicles
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced that $12 million in grants is being made available to eligible individuals, businesses, and governmental entities to replace older diesel vehicles with new alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles.

TCEQ Texas Clean Fleet Program grants, which are part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), are offered to eligible entities that own and operate at least 100 vehicles in Texas and intend to replace at least 25 diesel vehicles. Projects must result in at least a 25 percent reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX).

The eligible reimbursement amounts range between 50 and 80 percent of the purchase costs, depending on the model year of the vehicle and engine being replaced.  Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with projects ranked according to the cost per ton of nitrogen oxides (NOX) reduced by the project.

Recipients must agree to operate the grant-funded vehicles for a defined percentage of the annual mileage in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area, Dallas-Fort Worth area, Beaumont-Port Arthur area, Tyler-Longview area, Austin area, and/or San Antonio area for at least five years.

Application deadline is June 30, 2010.

For up-to-date program information, eligibility requirements, copies of the application forms, and a schedule of informational meetings, visit the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan website, or call 800-919-TERP (8377).

 

Updated 6/3/10