Pollution Engineering - September 2008 - (Page 42)

The collection pans are easily adjusted to be placed just where they are needed. They can also be closed when not needed to protect them from the rain and blowing debris and they look good. SPCC release can cause grief. When a contamination plume is discovered in the U.S., even if no laws were broken, someone almost always has to pay. SPCC speculation is hardly the only reason for responsible environmental managers to mitigate the migration of pollutants from their facilities, and remain prepared to prevent or handle an accidental release. Many corporations have appointed committees to develop the elements of an SPCC plan. These groups unfortunately get caught in so-called “analysis paralysis,” forever waiting just a little longer so some new equipment can be reviewed, or some idea seen in a magazine can be more fully vetted by the local managers. These delays can add months of indecisive discussion. What’s the total cost? Do not just look at the initial cost of the equipment. What will the reoccurring costs be over the life of the operation? Purchasing less costly equipment may save a bundle in the initial purchase, but result in greater repair, maintenance, labor or secondary equipment expenses. For example, open railroad track spill containment pans are an inexpensive option for preventing spills in railroad transfers. However, there may be additional costs incurred by having to pump and dispose of oily rainwater after every storm. Will this procedure or equipment become obsolete in a matter of months after it is purchased? Can it be used in a different way at another plant or location on the facility site? For example, one responsible company, at great expense, built a large, open concrete slab for containment of tanker truck loading or unloading. But to continuously avoid collection of rainwater, the environmental manager wanted to build a canopy over it, to the tune of about $50,000. Next, the local fire marshal inspected the canopy and declared it could not stay there without adding a deluge fire suppression system to the canopied loading area. Not long after, the plant layout had to be changed and it was quickly evident that the permanently installed, expensive containment system was on wrong side of the facility. Will this same equipment be more expensive in a short time or will it be cheaper? In 2003, a number of companies chose to hold off purchasing steel track pans. In 2004, due 42 Pollution Engineering SEPTEMBER2008 http://www.cement.org/waste http://www.cement.org/waste

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Pollution Engineering - September 2008

Pollution Engineering - September 2008 Contents The Editor’s Desk Reader Comments EnviroNews PE Events Legal Lookout Environmental Management The Green Files Guest Dialog 500-Year Storm Control How Do You Clean Up 100 Years of Pollution? SPCC: Don’t Wait and See The Next Wave in Air Purification An Invitation to the Windy City Flood Control Infrastructure Saves ‘Green’ Puts a New Spin on Pest Control Instrumentation Products Material Safety and Storage Equipment PE Products Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index State Rules

Pollution Engineering - September 2008

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