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Upcoming Courses
Qualified Individual (QI) Workshop
Designed to prepare the Qualified Individual (QI) to manage an oil spill incident and perform all necessary duties as the QI and/or Incident Commander (IC).
When: Sept 25-27th
Where: Houston, TX
More Information
Incident Command System (ICS) 100/200 Workshop
1-day seminar designed for those responsible for emergency planning, response and recovery efforts at there company or facility.
When: October 16th
Where: Houston, TX
More Information
Incident Command System (ICS) 300 Workshop
3-day seminar designed for those persons serving as command staff, section chiefs, leaders and supervisors at there company or facility.
When: October 17-19th
Where: Houston, TX
More Information
SPCC Compliance Workshop and Update
This workshop will walk you through everything you need to know to evaluate your existing SPCC plan for compliance with the latest standards. It will also provide practical approaches to compliance and guide you through the tools you need to pass an EPA SPCC inspection. Bring your SPCC plan to the course and have your plan reviewed by industry experts.
When: October 23-24th
Where: Houston, TX
More Information
24Hr HAZWOPER
RMA’s 24-Hour HAZWOPER class satisfies 29CFR 1910.120(e)(3) initial training requirements for hazardous substance occasional site workers. Class combines classroom lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice with applicable personal protective equipment. All participants who successfully complete this class will receive a reference manual, certificate of completion, and laminated wallet card.
When: October 30-November 1st
Where: Houston, TX
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Welcome our New Employees!
Rich Teubner, Director of Government Services
Rich has more than 26 years of experience in a wide range of port, maritime, emergency response, security, prevention, and preparedness from his Coast Guard career. Rich brings a wide array of knowledge and skills to RMA. His experience includes project management with Black & Veatch; and extensive support of the national operations of numerous maritime related businesses.
Jeremy Kelley, Manager of Business Development & Marketing
Jeremy has been working in the environmental field for more than 10 years, first with the Marine Corps as a Hazmat/Safety non-Commissioned Officer. Since then he has worked as a Project Manager & Environmental Consultant for some of the top environmental training and consulting firms in the US.
James Mehrmann, Project Director
Jim comes to RMA with over 40 years experience in marine and naval air and surface operations in the fields of planning, operations, marine engineering, marine surveying, project engineering management, risk and loss adjustment and damage claims service management. He retired as US Navy as a Captain.
Dave Stevens, Project Manager
David has been working in the environmental field for over 17 years. David has a colorful work history to include Government Services and his primary focus and passion throughout the years has been emergency response and training.
Bradley Walton, Project Manager
Brad has 6 years of EH&S experience starting his career in the U.S. Coast Guard where he worked as a pollution investigator and facility inspector. He experience also includes developing SPCC, FRP, and DOM Plans.
More New Team Members!
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Leo Ambrosi, Project Specialist
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Anna Cruz, Project Specialist
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Blair Overman, Project Specialist
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Ann Moore, Project Specialist
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Barbara Haney, Accountant
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Amanda Tyer, Receptionist
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Sandra Giddings, Acct. Assistant
Thank you to Haleema Memon for coming up with the name of RMA's new eNewsletter, "The Responder". Good job! |
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Welcome to "The Responder"
a message from our President, Eric G. Politte
Welcome to our first eNewsletter. We are excited about this new communication tool and hope this helps keeps you up to date with developments at RMA and within our regulatory and operating environments. Through this eNewsletter we not only plan to provide you with company news but also general industry news, articles, enforcement actions, events, and regulatory updates that you may find helpful in your day-to-day operations. We strive to maintain the highest standards of services and we plan to use that same philosophy when providing you with important information applicable to your profession and industry through The Responder.
Thank you all,
Eric G. Politte,
P.E., President
Response Management Associates, Inc.
Houston, Texas
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 Top Story
Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) Program on Track for September 1st
The nation's first renewable fuels standard (RFS) program is set to take effect Sept. 1. Authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the program will promote use of fuels largely produced from American-grown crops.
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Sept. 1 marks the deadline when obligated parties, such as major refiners, blenders, and importers must meet reporting, registration, and other key compliance requirements. The RFS program requires that at least 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel be blended into motor vehicle fuel sold in the United States by 2012. It also requires the obligated parties to use a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year between 2007 and 2012. That minimum volume is determined as a percentage of the total volume of fuel a company produces or imports. The minimum volume will increase every year through 2012. For 2007, 4.02 percent of the fuel sold or dispensed to U.S. motorists will have to come from renewable sources (roughly 4.7 billion gallons). Read More
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News and Enforcement
EPA Releases Operator Training Guidelines for State UST Programs
The U.S. EPA has released the final operator training grant guidelines for states, which implement a key provision of the underground storage tank amendments of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The operator training grant guidelines describe the minimum requirements states must meet in order to comply with the operator training provision contained in the Energy Policy Act. Read More
Texas Man gets Prison Time for Hazardous Waste Transport Crimes
Dennis Rodriguez of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced yesterday to five months in prison for violating hazardous waste transport law while operating his company, North American Waste Assistance, located in the same city. Rodriguez was also sentenced to five months home confinement, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Read More
OSHA conducts look back review of Methylene Chloride Standard
OSHA announced in the July 11, 2007 Federal Register they are accepting public comments on the review of its Methylene Chloride (MC) Standard 29 CFR §1910.1052 (62 FR 1494). The notice asks the public to suggest how the Standard's applicability or requirements could be changed or tailored to reduce the burden on employers while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is accepting comments until Oct. 9, 2007. Read More
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 Featured Article
Two Landmark Interpretations of the Clean Air Act
By Richard Ayres
Courtesy of Air & Waste Management Association
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The most recent U.S. Supreme Court term is notable for two landmark interpretations of the Clean Air Act (CAA). In Massachusetts vs. EPA (U.S., No. 05-1120, 4/2/07), the court held that greenhouse gases (GHGs) are air pollutants subject to regulation under the CAA, overruling an interpretation by the Bush administration. In Environmental Defense vs. Duke Energy Corp. (U.S., No. 05-848, 4/2/07), the court held that when renovation of an industrial facility results in an increase in annual emissions, modern emission controls must be installed, even if the hourly rate of emissions does not increase. This article traces the history of these cases and considers their implications.
Click Here to read the full article |
Need to Update Your SPCC Plan?
On May 10, 2007 EPA signed a rule to extend the compliance dates for owners and operators of facilities preparing, amending and implementing SPCC Plans to July 1, 2009. RMA specializes in the development of contingency plans and can help you update your SPCC Plan or Facility Response Plan.. REQUEST A QUOTE
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Is Your Business Prepared for a Hurricane?
Hurricane season is upon us and businesses should have already started planning for a disaster before hurricane season started and making the preparations when a hurricane is predicted. One of these preparations should have been your "Shut-Down" operations. Shutdown Operations require special care beyond normal operations. Facility owners and operators are required to minimize chemical releases during process shutdown operations; and if reportable releases occur, they must be reported immediately upon constructive knowledge of occurrence. Read More
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RMA is Now on the GSA Schedule
RMA is now available to all Federal Agencies through the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule for environmental services.
Click Here for More Information.
RMA Roles Out it's New Web-site with New Features!
RMA rolled out its new web-site with dramatic improvements in navigation, information, appearance, and functionality for our customers and clients. Improved functions include, a complete catalog of services, a resource center, on-line registration for training courses, and an on-line quote submission which are all just some of the new features added. Come check It Out!
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TWIC NVIC 03-07 Goes Final
The NVIC describing implementation guidance for the new TWIC regulations has been published as Final. For those of you under USCG MTSA jurisdiction (33 CFR 104/105/106), you should review this for implementation. There was a Deadline of September 4, 2007 (60 days after NVIC publication) for any Facility requesting Secure Area Redefinition to be submitted to the USCG. Click Here for More Information.
New Chemical Security Regulations – CFATS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published their Security Regulations (72 FR 17688) with a pending implementation date tied to final publication of the Chemicals of Interest list. The current DHS Chemicals of Interest (Appendix A to the CFATS Final Rule) is not final. Any facility manufacturing, storing or handling any of these chemicals will need to complete a Top Screen evaluation on-line. Click here for more information
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Where will RMA be at Next?
Clean Pacific Conference and Exhibition
9/12-14/2007 – Seattle, WA: Visit RMA at the 2007 Clean Pacific Conference and Trade show in Seattle, WA on September 12-14, 2007. Booth #315. Be Our Guest at the CLEAN PACIFIC Exhibition. Click Here to print out your FREE Complementary VIP Exhibit Pass, a $100 value.
Clean Gulf Conference and Exhibition
11/15-16/2007 – Tampa, FL: Visit RMA at the 2007 Clean Gulf conference and Exhibition in Tampa, FL on November 15-16, 2007. Booth # TBD.
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