Ecotek services

One of the most important roles that Ecotek plays in all regulatory compliance areas is that of liaison and negotiator. Ecotek negotiates with the regulatory agencies to find the most beneficial compliance solutions. We keep the lines of communication between our clients and the agencies open so that agencies have the full range of necessary information and the sense of cooperation that is so vital to this process. Ecotek has developed a very positive relationship with regulatory agencies over the years through a variety of projects and clients. We assist our customers with various compliance requirements ranging from resolution violations to equipment permits.

Ecotek has prepared over 100 air emission inventory reports. These reports are required by the South Coast Air Quality Management District for determining annual emissions and fees, and developing air pollution regulatory programs. The reports include criteria pollutants (NOx, VOC, CO, PM, and SOx), designated toxic pollutants, and ozone depleting compounds.

Ecotek’s Certified Permitting Professionals (CPP) by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) have direct experience in processing permits for the SCAQMD which reinforces our abilities in preparing timely and cost-effective permit applications. Therefore, our clients can expect minimal problems with Ecotek navigating the complex permitting process. Ecotek has handled all types of situations with permitting, including toxics, new source review, best available control technology, and offsetting.

Ecotek has assisted clients to comply with the California AB2588 Air Toxic Hot Spots Program. This State law requires facilities to inventory their emissions of several hundred chemicals. The inventory must be updated periodically. The purpose of the program is to disclose to the public those facilities that represent a potential risk due to the toxics air emissions.

Ecotek has helped clients navigate the complex Federal Title V Air Permitting and compliance process. The Title V program is mandated by the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments. Title V expands the permitting requirements to many facilities, regardless of the existing air permitting programs at state or local levels.

Ecotek has helped facilities comply with storm water discharge regulations through a host of services. Ecotek has helped clients implement actions that remove their facility from the program. For the facilities that must comply, Ecotek has developed and implemented all required program elements. We seek the optimum balance between activities performed by facility personnel and tasks performed in house. Ecotek develops Pollution Prevention Plans and Monitoring Plans, specifies control measures, prepares agency reports, and performes inspections, sampling, and monitoring. Ecotek offers a complete, intensive training program on how to comply with storm water discharge regulations. Over 250 facility personnel have attended the training. All program elements are addressed in detail, including sample collection, laboratory analysis, safety, monitoring and inspections, pollution prevention, best management practices, recordkeeping and reporting, and regulatory and permit requirements.

Ecotek has helped clients comply with requirements for discharges of waste water to the sanitation districts and to surface waters. Ecotek has prepared applications for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to enable controlled discharges to surface water storm systems.

Ecotek has helped clients comply with requirements for the Onsite Industrial Waste Treatment and has prepared applications for onsite treatment under Permit By Rule. Ecotek has helped clients comply with the monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements of their onsite waste treatment for the CUPA and Department of Toxic Substances Control.

As a cornerstone of EPA’s strategy to prevent oil spills from reaching the United States waters, the Agency requires that certain facilities develop and implement oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans. The plan combines planning and enforcement measures. The requirement applies to owners or operators of certain facilities that drill, produce, gather, store, process, refine, transfer, distribute or consume oil. Ecotek has prepared SPCC Plans for over 20 aboveground petroleum storage tank installations.

Federal regulations require facilities to file a Form R report if they manufacture, process, or otherwise use EPCRA Section 313 chemicals in quantities exceeding established thresholds. Form R is a public disclosure document that identifies the discharge of the above mentioned chemicals into all environmental media - air, water, soil, and waste. The reports are used to collect data on the discharge of chemicals into the environment, and to develop regulatory programs. Ecotek routinely prepares Form R reports for clients that range from printing to aerospace manufacturing to automotive manufacturing. Ecotek also analyzes client operations to determine if a Form R report is required. This is an essential task to defend facilities against law suites initiated by bounty hunter groups.