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MOECC Changes the Permitting for Air, Noise, and Odour
For the regulated community in Ontario, the New Year has begun with an environmental regulatory change that specifically affects Air, Noise, and Odour permitting. According to the Government of Ontario, “This Regulation comes into force on the later of January 31, 2017 and the day it is filed.” The changes are spelled out in Ontario Regulation 1/17. The good news is, if your business is eligible, you may no longer be required to obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for your facility’s emissions to air, noise, and/or odour....
read moreReport: Ontario’s Environmental Approval Process Not Managing Risks
The environmental approval program, according to the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, is, “…not effectively managing the risks to the environment and human health from polluting activities.” The annual report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on November 30, 2016. The report, which is two volumes with more than 800 pages, has “only” 40 pages focused on Environmental Approvals in Ontario. As related to the Environmental Approvals, the report provides the following: A significant number of emitters may be operating...
read moreAmendments to Export/Import of Hazardous Waste/Recyclables
Earlier in 2016, there was less than favourable press coverage about Canadian household waste shipped to the Philippines back in 2013 and 2014. There were more than 100 containers of waste shipped from Canada to the Philippines that were in international regulatory limbo. Recent amendments to Canadian regulations seek to avoid such issues in the future. On October 21, 2016, the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations were amended. This was subsequently published in the Canada Gazette on November...
read morePBDE: An Emerging Environmental Regulatory Concern?
We often talk about how environmental compliance is never static, because chemicals or compounds that might be acceptable and even lauded one day are a concern the next day. Consider a recent group of chemical compounds that fit this description: Polybrominated Diphenyl Esters (PBDEs). According to the American Council for Science and Health, organic compounds such as PBDEs that contain multiple atoms of bromine and chlorine in their structure usually have two properties: (1) they don’t burn, and (2) they are highly stable in the body,...
read more2016 Monthly Environmental Compliance Posts
December (2015) – Environmental Compliance Approval How do I know if the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) will require that I obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for a discharge from my facility? The bar is pretty low for requiring an ECA in Ontario. According to the MOECC, “If a business’s activities impact the natural environment, that business needs an approval from the Ministry of the Environment (and Climate Change) to operate legally in Ontario.” The basic rule is that if you currently discharge, or...
read moreUS Election Results and Canadian Environmental Expectations
Trade between Canada and the United States (U.S.) is a pretty big deal for both countries. In fact, when you look at 15 of Canada’s top import partners, the US accounts for more than 75% of Canadian imports. So when national elections occur on either side of the border, those in business pay attention. With the US Presidential election now in the books, what are the potential implications as they relate to environmental issues? While we’ll all learn more after appointments are made and the President Elect has begun to shape actual...
read moreMicrobead Regulations Published in Canada Gazette
One of the lessons you learn early if you are involved in the environmental compliance world is that just because something isn’t regulated today, doesn’t mean it won’t be regulated tomorrow. Over a year ago, we shared with you the forthcoming changes regarding microbeads in Canada, “Legislating Changes in Microbead Use in Canada.” Microbeads were once not only permissible, but were widely used in consumer products, such as facial scrubs and toothpastes. Now microbeads are a Schedule 1 Toxic Substance in Canada, and their use in consumer...
read moreEmergency Planning Regulations in Canada
The Environmental Emergency Regulations in Canada date back several years. These regulations, as you likely know, are undergoing some changes. To date, there have been no shortage of comments from the regulated community regarding the potential amendments to the regulations (see summary of comments as of October 6, 2016). Do these regulations apply to your company, and should you be concerned about these proposed amendments? At a minimum, you should be aware of the Environmental Emergency (E2) regulations, understand if they apply to your...
read moreEnvironmental Enforcement Roundup
Several times each year, we provide some of our observations on environmental enforcement. The enforcement actions are owed to a variety of reasons from accidents, to oversight, to regulatory confusion, to what might be described as “self-inflicted.” With this said, here are some of our observations. Environmental Enforcement at a Refinery An oil refinery in Sarnia, Ontario, was fined $812,000 for an incident that resulted in a release of hydrogen sulfide. According to the September 21, 2016, Ontario Newsroom Release, “…a frozen flare...
read moreRegulatory Deadline for End-of-Life Vehicle Facilities
When an automobile reaches the end of its useful life, it faces the same relative fate all of the materials that we use face; they are disposed and, where applicable, recycled. Unlike simple household trash, disposal of vehicles poses a bit more of a challenge. The countless parts and components that are in our automobiles can pose an environmental threat if not properly managed. The various fluids, switches (that may contain mercury), paints and coatings (that may contain cadmium, nickel, and chromium), lead-acid batteries, brake pads...
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