By: Ryan Glover
Ontario has two increasingly high-profile programs in place that target industry air emissions. The STAC program and the environmental SWAT team are two programs that could affect your business directly if your emission reporting (OReg 127) and air emission permits (CofAs) are not up-to-date.
The first of these programs is the Strategic Targets for Air Compliance (STAC) program under which a team of ministry review engineers audits the emissions from specific targeted businesses. Each of Ontarios 15 MOE Districts chooses two medium- to large-scale industries to target. The criteria for selection are at the discretion of the District but traditionally the reviewers target those facilities that are out of compliance with regards to Certificates of Approvals (CofAs) or whose industry sector is known to release a hazardous chemical of interest.
The STAC program is a cooperative, proactive program. Review engineers send out letters to selected companies and ask them to provide a report verifying their compliance with air emissions regulations. Facilities are usually given a deadline of three months to complete the report.
In the past, the STAC program has targeted pulp and paper mills, the automotive industry, primary and secondary smelters and integrated metal refineries. The autumn period is when the ministry District offices select new targets and a new crop of companies and industry sectors find themselves under the microscope. If your facility has been selected for a STAC audit, AirZone can help. Our experience with STAC audits, air regulatory compliance and air issues in general, provides us with expertise that can help your company successfully navigate the process.
The environmental SWAT team is a second program offered by the Ministry of the Environment. The program differs from the STAC program in that the SWAT members will arrive unannounced at a facility and demand documentation related to emissions; as well they may take material samples, meet with employers and survey the facility site and processes. The usual practice of the SWAT team is to target a particular industry and perform a sweep of companies across Ontario that fall within that sector.
The SWAT team has the authority to issue Provincial Orders to individual companies to take specific corrective action. The SWAT officers can also issue fines of up to $500 and issue court summons under the Provincial Offenses Act. In concert with other branches of the MOE, a series of follow-ups will be conducted to assure companies are following through with the requests for corrective action.
The SWAT team has executed more than 2,200 surprise inspections in sectors such as electro/metal platers, septic waste handling, auto repair shops and pesticide applicators. It is important for companies to have Certificates of Approval and emission reports (OReg 127) up-to-date. The SWAT program is meant as an impetus to proactive action on the part of private business. If you are concerned about air emissions or have been recently visited by the environmental SWAT team, please contact Ryan Glover (ext 152) or Franco Di-Giovanni (ext 168) at AirZone. Our experience with emissions permitting and dealing with the MOE can be an asset to your organization.