Category: Risk Management
Without CEO Buy Companies Struggle at Sustainability
Without CEO Buy-In, Companies Struggle at Sustainability
GreenBiz.com, 2 April 2010 – In addition to “you can’t manage what you don’t measure,” the idea that environmental leadership has to come from the top is one of the truisms of green business.
And yet, a recent survey of nearly 2,000 executives verifies not only the truth of [...]
What is a pollutant
What is a pollutant? If you look at an insurance policy they will define a pollutant as smoke, soot, vapors, fumes, acids… I am not a scientist and so the definition of a pollutant we use at ERMI is “A material, substance or product that gets introduced into an environment for other than its intended [...]
Washington Law Requires Disclosure of Environmental Conditions
What is a pollutant? If you look at an insurance policy they will define a pollutant as smoke, soot, vapors, fumes, acids… I am not a scientist and so the definition of a pollutant we use at ERMI is “A material, substance or product that gets introduced into an environment for other than its intended [...]
Walking the Green Talk the Sustainability Tool Kit
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has recognized the need of good, practical tools to successfully put sustainable design theory into practice. Assembled to help designers and policy makers undertake and complete sustainable projects at regional, urban and local levels, ASLA’s Sustainability Toolkit provides an array of online resources: assessment tools, checklists, modeling software [...]
TSCA Information Now Free to Public
For the first time, the EPA is providing Web access, free of charge, to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory. The agency announced on Monday, March 15, 2010, that it would open up the entire TSCA database to the public, and make the information freely available on the agency’s website and on [...]
Tragedy of Food Dafety Reform
Risk, bacteria, and the tragedy of food-safety reform 1
by Tom Philpott
The Senate will likely vote on its food safety bill, S. 510, next week. Now that consumer groups and sustainable-ag advocates have settled their fight over the treatment of small-scale producers, the legislation looks set to pass — unless it falls victim to the absurd [...]
The Fate of Dairy Antibiotics in Ground Water
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Agriculture is the number one user of fresh water in the world and it’s the number one contaminator of fresh water. Every agricultural business faces a vast array of environmental exposures on a daily basis. This is just one study amongst millions on the environmental impact of the agricultural industry.
Each [...]
Test shows water problem near natgas drill site
environmental strategist, between the lines: Nothing is conclusive here, just an FYI. Take a look at the attachment about the EPA and what they are looking into. Make sure your client’s know the EPA microscope is looking into their industry practices. Might be a good time to get some pollution insurance.
Jon Hurdle, Reuters
Published September 2, [...]
Study finds reusable grocery bags can harbor dangerous bacteria
Study finds reusable grocery bags can harbor dangerous bacteria
Published: Friday, June 25, 2010, 4:00 AM
Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer
More and more shoppers are buying reusable bags, but be sure to wash them every week or so to avoid possible food contamination.
Those reusable, fabric shopping bags may be kind to the environment, but they may not [...]
State begins cleanup of massive illegal dump
environmental Strategist, between the lines: This story is a perfect example of why any client you have the owns vacant property should give serious consideration to buying a pollution liability insurance policy. Illegally disposing of waste is a tens of billions of dollars a year industry in the United States.
Under Federal law if you own [...]
Residential Homebuilder Settles Clean Water Act Violations in 21 States
Company allegedly violated Clean Water Act storm water requirements
December 6, 2010
Beazer Homes USA Inc., a national residential homebuilder, agreed to pay a $925,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites in 21 states, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced. As part of the settlement, Beazer [...]
Radiation worries in Dentist chairs
By WALT BOGDANICH and JO CRAVEN McGINTY
Because children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, doctors three years ago mounted a national campaign to protect them by reducing diagnostic radiation to only those levels seen as absolutely necessary.
It is a message that has resonated in many clinics and hospitals. Yet there is one busy place [...]
Prospecting for Brownfields
environmental Strategist between the lines: There are millions of Brownfield sites in this country. They use the term Brownfields versus Greenfield’s which are undeveloped land.
I see Brownfields much like an annuity for insurance agents. Why? Because once you assist with the pollution insurance for the Brownfield, whatever they turn the Brownfield site into (i.e. manufacturing, [...]
Parking lots threaten water quality
Jun 17 2010 Jeff Gillies
A recent study of parking lots by Purdue University came up with the following information on parking lots impact upon our environment.
Parking lots can soup up stream-bound rainwater with pollutants like oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, according to another Purdue parking lot study. Some pavement sealants have high levels [...]
New Report Shows Brownfield Redevelopment in Cities Leads to More Jobs
Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Brownfields are economic multipliers that offer great opportunities for insurance professionals. The report below will give you an overview of what has been accomplished by a few cities. Considering we have millions of Brownfield sites in our country and no matter where you live you have Brownfields in your marketing [...]
New Law Requires AAI
environmental Strategist, between the lines: If you have participated in one of our environmental risk management and insurance seminars you know we tell you that ERMI’s research shows that roughly 50% of Phase I studies are inaccurate. To support this research, a few years ago ASTM (the group that developed the Phase I and Phase [...]
McDonalds pulls 12M cadmium-tainted Shrek glasses
McDonald’s pulls 12M cadmium-tainted “Shrek” glasses
Manure Compost A New Cash Crop
A growing number of livestock producers are discovering manure compost as a new cash crop. When Mark Meyer refers to the “magic” at New Day Farms, he isn’t referring to the liquid egg products generated by more than 2.5 million laying hens.
Rather, Meyer, the environmental manager at [...]
Making money in Brownfields
Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Part of our ERMI “Environmental Hot Topics To Drive Your Growth and Profits” we strategize on the tremendous opportunities Brownfields create for insurance agents.
In my little county, Leelanau, (population 24,000) they have received two grants in excess of $1,200,000 to be used for identifying brownfields.
Brownfields are like an annuity for [...]
Making Concrete The Color Of Money
Making Concrete The Color Of Money
November 1, 2010
Boston, MA – Cement and concrete for decades have been regarded as the antithesis of all that’s green and growing, which is no surprise. The building and construction industry uses about 2.9 billion tonnes of cement and 30 billion tonnes of concrete every year, making them civilization’s most [...]
Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting
Contractors will not be able to work in pre-1978 homes after April 22, 2010 without lead paint certification!
A new Federal Law set forth by the EPA requires training certification for any contractor involved in any construction activity that will or has the potential to disturb lead based paint. The new EPA rule will directly affect [...]
Fraud and Conspiracy found at a Syracuse
A federal jury in Utica, New York has found Syracuse-based Certified Environmental Services, Inc (CES), two of its managers, and one of its employees guilty of conspiracy and fraud relating to violations of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act was put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect citizens from [...]
Follow up on new Washington state law
In follow up to the information I emailed on the new Washington state law requiring environmental disclosure on commercial property transactions I received the following question/s from one of our agents.
Email from Agent:
Chris,
What is the average cost of this type of insurance? What is the rate based on? Is it something the buyer carries or [...]
The Zurich policy
We are currently working on an oil and gas distributor that is written with the direct writer Federated Insurance. As most of you know Federated has a special program for this class of business. What is interesting on the account we are working on is how poorly written the pollution coverage is that is placed [...]
What is a pollutant?
What is a pollutant? Any material, substance, product, etc… which is introduced into an environment for other than its intended use / purpose. Fresh water, cheese, and milk have all been classified as pollutants by Insurance Carriers under various circumstances. What pollutants are impacting your clients?
Ever y business is impacted by environmental exposures… If you [...]
ERMI Environmental Risk Management Hot Topics
Below is a list of Environmental Hot Topics we know impact a variety of your insured’s and prospects. I would like to schedule a time of about 20 minutes where I can call and review this with you. The purpose of the call is to point out areas of environmental opportunity we have identified in [...]
Reduce mercury waste from dental offices
EPA will propose rule to protect waterways by reducing mercury from dental offices / existing technology is available to capture dental mercury (DC)
Source: US EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it intends to propose a rule to reduce mercury waste from dental offices. Dental amalgams, or fillings containing mercury, [...]
EPA Formally Requests Information From Companies About Chemicals Used In Natural Gas Extraction
September 10, 2010
Information on hydraulic fracturing chemicals is key to agency study of potential impacts on drinking water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it has issued voluntary information requests to nine natural gas service companies regarding the process known as hydraulic fracturing. The data requested is integral to a broad scientific study [...]
EPA Releases New Draft Voluntary Guidelines
EPA Releases New Draft Voluntary Guidelines for Selecting Safe School Locations / EPA provides new tools for communities making school siting decisions
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released draft voluntary guidelines to help communities protect the health of students and staff from environmental threats when selecting new locations for schools.
More than 1,900 [...]
EPA Publishes 2009 TRI Data
Pretty soon companies’ toxic release data may be available to the public before the pollution is actually released into the environment. Unlikely, but the EPA is getting faster each year at making public the data it has collected from companies’ Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data sheets.
Issued the same month it was collected, the EPA has [...]
EPA fines light bulb recycler $743,000 Agency says firm left Riverdale warehouse contaminated
environmental Strategist, between the lines: At ERMI we point out that every business is impacted by environmental exposures. Your agency could easily experience the exposure listed in the article below.
Most insurance agencies I have visited use fluorescent light bulbs. When those bulbs burn out they are classified as a hazardous waste (they contain mercury) and [...]
EPA Construction Stormwater Rule
EPA Construction Stormwater Rule Takes Effect February 1, 2010
By Meline MacCurdy and Russell Prugh
EPA has issued a long-awaited final stormwater rule, impacting nearly every construction and development project in the United States. The rule, published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2009, for the first time imposes an enforceable numeric limit on stormwater discharges [...]
Coal Tar Sealant Largest Source of PAHs in Lakes
environmental Strategist, between the lines: This is an environmental exposure not just for the contractor applying the sealant material but also for the property owner and manufacturer. Storm water runoff is a very real environmental exposure for any property owner where it can rain and / or snow. In the past few years both Home [...]
CERCLA -Arranger Liability
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Share the following with any client’s you have than can be responsible for designing or maintaining storm water systems. The potential liability created through this court decision is probably not covered by your standard insurance program for your impacted client’s. Impacted businesses should take a proactive approach by making sure [...]
CEOs regard sustainability as a top priority
A survey done to more than 750 top CEOs reveal that 93% regard sustainability as a critical issue to their company’s future success, reports Envido.
www.envido.co.uk 1-020-7199-0090
A major global survey of 750 chief executives undertaken by Accenture in partnership with the UN Global Compact initiative, revealed that 93% believe sustainability is critical to their company’s future [...]
Calhoun pollution traced to nearby firm
environmental Strategist, between the lines: I have been talking for years how storms water runoff is a big exposures for any insured you work with that owns property, performs construction, farms, etc.. Here is a simple example to share with your insured’s about a manufacturer that created a storm water problem through their air emissions.
Four [...]
Cadmium
Every Business Is Impacted by Environmental Exposures
On January 13, 2010 USA Today reported that Wal-Mart, Claire’s will pull jewelry from China containing cadmium. USA Today went on to say “Two chain stores are pulling jewelry that lab tests show contained high levels of the heavy metal cadmium. Jewelry and accessories store Claire’s, with nearly 3,000 [...]
Buildings with Vapor Intrusion Issues Risk Occupants Health
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Michigan alone has 9,000 leaking underground storage tanks that we know about but do not have the money to clean them up. This means in Michigan at a minimum, we have 9,000 locations that can cause vapor intrusion just from tanks. How many more don’t we know about?
The questions for [...]
Buildings with Vapor Intrusion Problems May Pose a Significant Risk to Building Occupants
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Vapor intrusion is one of the environmental hot topics we discuss with our agency network because it can impact any property owner. A few years ago ASTM, the society that establishes the guidelines for Phase I and Phase II environmental reports, came out with ASTM 2600 to address vapor intrusion [...]
Brownfields Americas largest untapped Urban resource
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Brownfields for insurance agents are like annuities. Let me expand on this, first you help them with the pollution insurance for financial assurance (refer to attached document) and once they complete the Brownfield, there is a need for P&C insurance products to protect the new development.
A majority of cities and [...]
Acid rain is back, and thanks to farming, worse than ever
Policy makers, environmentalists like to congratulate themselves on the “victory” over acid rain. As this American success story is usually told, acid rain’s effects were addressed by a 1990 update to the Clean Air Act that created a cap-and-trade system focused on sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. Since the system was implemented, sulfur [...]
A Growing Mound of Manure, U.S. No. 2 Pollutant
Nearly 40 years after the first Earth Day, this is irony: The United States has reduced the manmade pollutants that left its waterways dead, discolored and occasionally flammable.
But now, it has managed to smother the same waters with the most natural stuff in the world.
Animal manure, a byproduct as old as agriculture, has become an [...]
A Chilling Thought Do you know your clients environmental exposures for their cold storage facility?
By Steven J. Smith, AVP Underwriting
Given the wide variety of meats, processed foods and produce distributed across the United States, cooling and preserving these consumables at the point of origin and shipping is paramount for businesses. While cold storage facilities are becoming more common, the environmental exposures related to these facilities are not. Cold storage [...]
Poulsbo, Wash. gas station agrees to pay over $11,000 for failure to monitor underground fuel tanks
environmental Strategist, between the lines: While the crime listed below is a common everyday occurrence, it is the un-suspecting that need to understand the horizontal and vertical environmental liabilities created by shady / reactive storage tank owners.
In the state of Michigan alone we have 9,000 known leaking underground Storage Tanks (UST’s) where there is no [...]
Toxic Water: Pollution and Scarcity Flow Together
environmental Strategist, between the lines: In case you missed this article in the recent issue of Risk and Insurance I wanted to make sure you had a chance to review this. Any businesses that can impact water are going to be under more scrutiny, especially agricultural accounts.
Toxic Water: Pollution and Scarcity Flow Together
Fracking, pharma, cow [...]
Sustainability as a business opportunity
Courtesy of Intelex Technologies Inc.
Thinking of bringing your business to a more sustainable place?
The best starting place for any business leader to embrace sustainability is to shift away from looking at sustainability in terms of how much it will cost, and towards assessing the returns it will generate.
Consider the phenomenon known as the Cost of [...]
Fed Reg Watch: Should Vapor Intrusion Count for Superfund-ing?
environmental Strategist, between the lines: For several years we have been sharing with you information on vapor intrusion (ASTM 2600) and what a serious issue it can be for any property owner. As the article below points out, the EPA also feels vapor intrusion is a serious enough liability that it deserves to get Superfund [...]
Risk Management Rules and Farms
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Do you have Agricultural client’s impacted by Risk Management Program Regulations (RMPR)? Are they aware they have to update their RMPR every five years to stay in compliance.
If you have agricultural clients that use, store, manufacture or handle the on-site movement of 10,000 pounds or more of anhydrous ammonia they [...]
Prison Air Pollution
Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Prisons are mini cities facing a vast array of environmental exposures in their day to day operations. (Refer to attached ERMI Environmental Risk Assessment for Municipalities) Even your community jails face an array of environmental exposures such as leaks from fuel storage tanks used for backup power generators, mold, sick [...]
Nothing Wasted
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Below is information on a sustainable
website that can assist your construction and real estate developers to increase sales
and reduce environmental liabilities, while better protecting human health and the
environment.
When you consider that sustainability has become a social value and therefore a business opportunity, this service can offer some advantages.
Environmental Risk Management [...]
Iowa DOT, Three Contractors to Pay Civil Penalty for Storm Water Violations
Parties agreed to pay penalty after EPA inspectors documented violations
February 2, 2011
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and three of its contractors have agreed to pay a $60,000 civil penalty for violating the terms of a storm water permit issued for the U.S. Highway 30 construction project in Tama County, Iowa.
IDOT, along with JB Holland [...]
Iowa Construction Company to Pay Civil Penalty for Impacting Stream and Wetlands
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Here is a common, everyday environmental exposure for contractors. What do you do with excess material from job sites?
Environmental Risk Management Thought: Storm water runoff from road ways contains contaminates such as petroleum products, anti freeze, lead, cadmium, asbestos, hydraulic fluids… I hope this construction company at least had the [...]
EPA proposes pesticide applicator certification plan for Indian Country in Region 8
environmental Strategist, between the lines: In a relatively short period of time this will probably go country wide so be proactive and start today to prepare your tribal client’s for more government regulation.
EPA proposes pesticide applicator certification plan for Indian Country in Region 8
Release date: 05/09/2011
Contact Information: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool, 303-312-6077
EPA proposes pesticide applicator certification plan [...]
Environmental Losses for Contractors
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Every business is impacted by environmental exposures and 98% of the business in the United States do not have the financial strength to self insure their environmental liabilities.
Below is a random sampling of environmental losses experienced by contractors.
Concrete Contractor
Laid an undercoat of slag while creating a new runway for a [...]
Connecticut Town to Pay Penalty, Fix Wastewater Infrastructure
environmental Strategist, between the lines: With our aging infrastructure, utility services (water, power, sewer & storm water systems, waste water treatment….) causing environmental liabilities are becoming more and more common. Do your utility clients have the financial resources available to self insure or does it make more fiscal and financial sense to transfer their environmental [...]
Clean-up continues through winter as oil spill damage lingers
environmental Strategist, between the lines: This is a mini BP, just $500,000,000 and counting, States. I wonder which contractors and sub-contractors are being sued?
Clean-up continues through winter as oil spill damage lingers
By CAROL THOMPSON
LANSING – Cleanup efforts are still underway more than six months after 819,000 gallons of heavy crude oil spilled [...]
City of Farmington, Mo., Agrees to Civil Penalty
environmental Strategist, between the lines: My question is not about the penalty imposed on the city of Farmington but the resulting liability that can impact the farmers where the sludge was applied. I hope the farmers or their insurance agents made sure the City of Farmington had pollution insurance to protect the farmers from this [...]
Blowout at natural gas well releases drilling fluids to environment
A blowout at a Pennsylvania natural gas well late Tuesday could heighten concerns about the safety of a controversial process to extract gas from shale rock.
The accident comes at a sensitive time for energy drillers, exactly one year after an explosion that led to the massive BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and just as [...]
Air Pollution Near Michigan Schools Linked To Poorer Student Health, Academic Performance
May 9, 2011
Ann Arbor, MI – Air pollution from industrial sources near Michigan public schools jeopardizes children’s health and academic success, according to a new study from University of Michigan researchers.
The researchers found that schools located in areas with the state’s highest industrial air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates—an indicator of poor health—as [...]
Property owners foot bill for meth lab cleanups
By CHARLES WILSON
Associated Press Writer
April 4, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana’s methamphetamine epidemic is leaving property owners stuck with the cleanup bill long after the meth labs have been dismantled by police.
An Indiana law that took effect two years ago says the cost of cleanup falls to property owners even though they likely had nothing to do with cooking [...]
Medical Facilities and the Environment
By Ken Snyder, AVP Underwriting Great American
Health Care is certainly a hot topic these days. While the debate over how to best address health care unfolds what is certain is that there continues to be significant growth in the industry with new hospitals being built, existing hospitals being expanded or upgraded, and an increase in [...]
Maine Passes CFL Recycling Law for Manufacturers
environmental Strategist, between the lines: While Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) offer energy savings there is an environmental offset to their use. CFL recycling laws will cross the country.
However the big picture here is what commercial clients do you have that use Fluorescent lamps? How about your business? Fluorescent lamps have mercury in them and when [...]
Insurers Encourage Consumers to Go Green By Creating New Products and Services
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Awareness creates demand and it’s obvious consumers are becoming environmentally aware or the insurance industry would not respond with the products highlighted in this article. Sustainability is a rising social value and therefore a business opportunity for you.
What are you doing to assist your client’s on their sustainable path? ERMI [...]
Improper manure runoff kills thousands of fish
environmental Strategist, between the lines: I am often asked to give examples of natural resource damages that would be covered under a pollution policy. In the example below, if the manure was properly applied and then a storm caused for excessive levels of manure to runoff and cause the fish kill, the cost [...]
Food processors spraying leaves west Michigan wells contaminated
Erasing water woes a rough task
8-10-09
BY TINA LAM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
FENNVILLE — John Dekker feels like he’s camping out in his own home. He showers with bottled water and drags his laundry to a Laundromat. He can’t sell his house without disclosing its glaring flaw — his well is contaminated.
Neighbor Kari Craton’s fingernails turned orange; [...]
Fire, explosions at welding company
MARYSVILLE, Mich. (AP) – Authorities say multiple explosions have been reported and at least one person has been hospitalized after a fire broke out at a Michigan welding supply company.
Marysville Police Chief Tim Buelow tells the Times Herald of Port Huron that an employee was removing a valve from a settling tank Monday morning when [...]
Erin Brockovich to visit Fennville this month to discuss community’s contaminated water problem
Posted by The Grand Rapids Press April 09, 2009 23:05PM
FENNVILLE — Environmental crusader Erin Brockovich, who helped California residents earn a $333 million damage settlement from an energy company, is slated to visit Fennville this month to discuss water contamination allegedly coming from the Birds Eye food processing plant.
Brockovich, who inspired the 2000 namesake movie [...]
EPA Revs Up Leased Construction Equipment Retrofit Program Release date: 03/26/2009
Working to boost the economy while protecting human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) a $400,000 grant to help retrofit construction equipment that is leased to construction projects throughout the Northeast.
Placing on this equipment slashes harmful pollutants from diesel engines, [...]
EPA Indian Policy
environmental Strategist, between the lines: If you work with Indian Nations share this recent EPA memo with them. This “reaffirmation” means the EPA is going to be taking a closer look at environmental issues on tribal lands. This subtle warning about “Change” by the EPA means now is the time to make sure your environmental [...]
U.S. EPA Makes Available Data On Compliance With Hazardous Waste, Air Regulations.
November 9, 2009
Washington, DC – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new 2 information on EPA and state enforcement of hazardous waste and air regulations. In addition, the EPA posted data that allows the public, for the first time, to compare toxic releases with compliance data from facilities. This is part of EPA’s ongoing [...]
EPA issues rule to reduce water pollution from construction sites
Source: US EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
Nov. 24, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The agency believes this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of water nationwide.
Construction activities like [...]
Do Title Companies disclose Environmental Liens on a Title Policy?
I was recently asked by a client if title companies disclose environmental liens or cover them on title insurance policies. I offer the following and this supports the need to include environmental liability insurance as part of your real estate purchasing strategy.
Title Companies provide Title Policies for Lender Liability for Environmental Liens per ALTA Policies [...]
Organizations Sign MOU to Monitor Dental Amalgam Discharge Reduction Program
environmental Strategist between the lines: Mercury pollution is just one of the many environmental exposures faced by dental professionals. As the article below points out dental professionals are expected to be more environmentally transparent in their business operations and the American Dental Association agrees.
The article talks about amalgam separators. In case you are not aware, [...]
Americas crumbling infrastructure
The History Channel has a program they are showing about Americas crumbling infrastructure. I recommend watching if you work with governments, contractors, utilities, manufacturers, transporters, aviation….
Just a few points that caught my attention on the not so obvious environmental exposures due to the Crumbling of America.
Each year there are 240,000 water main breaks in the [...]
Sludge, farmers friend or toxic slime?
Crap Happens
Three hundred million Americans head to the restroom multiple times a day. The amount of sludge produced staggers the mine—7 million dry tons per year and counting. And it’s not even just crap—it contains residues from everything else we put down the drain, from the detergent in your dishwasher to the chemicals used at the industrial plant [...]
Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) insurance.
ERMI has seen a tremendous rise in the number of construction projects requiring Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) insurance.
For larger construction projects requiring CPL coverage, we feel the best CPL risk transfer strategy is for the project owner to purchase an Owner Controlled Contractors Pollution Liability (OCCPL) policy versus individual contractors purchasing CPL policies.
With OCCPL the [...]
Seventh Circuit Rules That RCRA Cleanup Obligation Survives Bankruptcy
The Seventh Circuit recently ruled that a pre-petition cleanup obligation under RCRA § 7003 cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. The decision significantly weakens the “fresh start” afforded by the Bankruptcy Code. Companies that have emerged from bankruptcy should reassess their risk of future environmental liability from pre-bankruptcy activities, and may expect EPA, states and other [...]
Chinese Drywall
Recent news reports have alerted many in Florida, particularly South Florida, of a phenomenon involving imported drywall from China and its unbecoming side effect: sulfur gas. The story begins during the post-Katrina rebuilding efforts and the lack of domestically- manufactured drywall as a result of a (then) strong construction boom compounded by the Gulf Coast [...]
Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE)
CARE (http://www.epa.gov/care/) is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for a community to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment. Through CARE, a community creates a partnership that implements solutions to reduce releases of toxic pollutants and minimize people’s exposure to them. By providing financial and technical assistance, [...]
US Drinking Water and Watersheds Widely Contaminated by Hormone Disrupting Pesticide, Atrazine
CHICAGO – August 24 – A widely used pesticide known to impact wildlife development and, potentially, human health has contaminated watersheds and drinking water throughout much of the United States, according to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Banned by the European Union, atrazine is the most commonly detected [...]
Why sustainability is still going strong
Financial Times, 13 February 2009 – In the wake of the deepening economic crisis, many commentators are warning of the demise of corporate sustainability, the practice of balancing profit with the social and environmental impact of doing business. Companies obsessed with their own short-term survival, they suggest, cannot possibly support long-term, “feel-good” initiatives to protect [...]
Water Enforcement Data Now Available
environmental Strategist, between the line: The EPA ECHO web site is a great source to generate new business leads. I can assure you companies and municipalities that are listed on the EPA ECHO web site will want to talk to you about pollution liability insurance.
If you go to http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/ you will be able to find [...]
Vandalism apparently caused Flint sewage spill
by Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal
Thursday September 03, 2009
FLINT — The city says vandalism appears to be behind a 14,000-gallon sewage spill into Swartz Creek Monday.
Dawn Jones, a spokeswoman for Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, said today that city utility officials believe a person or persons took off a manhole cover from the area and [...]
ToxicRisk.com combines latest EPA toxic release inventory data with Google Maps
Source: MapCruzin
Published Apr. 13, 2009
In 1997 MapCruzin.com created the first interactive maps for Environmental Defense’s Scorecard project. Since then Michael Meuser, founder of MapCruzin, has done many other map-based environmental projects on the internet. After the 911 terrorist attacks and the beginning of the War on Terror, many map-based sites like these became hard to [...]
Toxic chemical found in air near Detroit school
BY BLAKE MORRISON AND BRAD HEATH
USA TODAY
Outside 15 schools in eight states, government regulators have found elevated levels of a substance that — in a more potent form — was also used as a chemical weapon during .
Those findings, based on samples collected for the , mark the first time the agency has expressed concern [...]
Companies to Stop Using a Chemical
By LESLIE KAUFMAN
Three manufacturers of a commonly used fire retardant have voluntarily agreed to phase out its production within three years in a pact with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmentalists have long advocated a ban on the retardant decabromodiphenyl ether, or DecaBDE, which is used widely in consumer electronics, furniture and textiles, among other items. It [...]
Testing for toxics at schools sparks questions, lawsuits
By Blake Morrison and Brad Heath, USA TODAY
NATRONA HEIGHTS, Pa. — On crisp fall mornings in the Allegheny River valley, the fog that hangs over Highlands High School usually burns off by the first bell. What remains in the air is the question.
ACROSS THE NATION: Controversies brew over possible toxic emissions
Almost a year after tests [...]
ANSI Approves Green Seal Standard for Restaurants
By GreenerBuildings Staff
WASHINGTON, DC — Green Seal’s certification standard for restaurants and foodservice operations has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), making the guidelines the first of their kind to be nationally recognized, Green Seal said today.
The GS-46 Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Foodservices, released in May, is also the first Green [...]
Rail industry petitions to stop moving toxins
By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Railroad companies are pressing federal regulators to cut back on trains carrying hazardous materials through urban areas, saying they fear a catastrophic release of toxic chemicals in a large city.
The companies also fear billions in legal claims if toxic materials spill during a derailment or act of sabotage. [...]
Poor Drinking Water In The United States
The New York Times reported that their reporters found over 500,000 violations of the Clean Water Act by various industries. Reporters filed Freedom of Information Act requests in every state to build a data base for permit reports. The study revealed that permits had been violated and in many cases, no action had been taken [...]
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
environmental Strategist, between the lines: I am often asked what a Phase I site assessment entails. The following article does an excellent job of describing not only what comprises a Phase I but also discusses changes taking place with the addition of All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI). Please share this with client’s looking or buy or [...]
Easier detection of pollution and impact in rivers
environmental Strategist, between the lines: This will be coming to the United States which means for any business with exposure to storm water runoff (land owners, contractors, municipalities, schools, golf courses, resorts, agriculture….), now would be an excellent time to buy pollution insurance.
Pesticides – Easier detection of pollution and impact in rivers
Source: Helmholtz Centre for [...]
Pesticide exposure found to increase risk
Study finds exposure may have occurred years before symptoms appear
By Mark Wheeler
4/20/2009
The fertile soil of California’s Central Valley has long made it famous as one of the nation’s prime crop-growing regions. But it’s not just the soil that allows for such productivity. Crops like potatoes, dry beans and tomatoes have long been protected from bugs and [...]
Oil Contaminates Des Plaines River
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Do you have any client’s with holding /
storage tanks? This loss could be covered under a pollution policy. I wonder how much
the Coast Guard and emergency response contractors charge to clean up 6,000 gallons
from three miles of river near Chicago? I wonder how much the business interruption
costs might be for [...]
New Mexico Dairy Pollution Sparks Manure War
The picture on many milk cartons shows cows grazing on a pasture next to a country barn and a
silo — but the reality is very different.
More and more milk comes from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where large herds
live in feedlots, awaiting their thrice-daily trip to the milking barn. A factory farm with 2,000 cows
produces [...]
NSF Develops Standard for Low Lead Plumbing Products in Support of New Requirements in California
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – NSF International today announced the development of a new
compositional standard for products that come in contact with drinking water, including
faucets. The new requirements are incorporated into the NSF/ANSI American National
Standard for Drinking Water Products to help protect the public from exposure to lead.
Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure [...]
New EPA Web Portal Features Green Resources for Retailers
GreenBiz.com, 8 May 2009 – In collaboration with the Retail Industry Leaders
Association, the Environmental Protection Agency has launched a web portal for
retailers that offers information and resources about environmental compliance, pollution
prevention and other green issues specific to the industry.
GreenBiz.com, 8 May 2009 – In collaboration with the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Environmental Protection Agency has [...]
Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools
Schools Recommended For Initial Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring Listed Alphabetically by State
Hudson K-Eight Elementary School – Birmingham, AL
Pollutants to be Monitored – Metals in PM10, Metals in TSP, PAH, VOCs
Lewis Elementary School - Birmingham, AL
Pollutants to be Monitored – Metals in PM10, Metals in TSP, PAH, VOCs
Riggins School - Birmingham, AL
Pollutants to be Monitored – Metals in PM10, Metals [...]
Arsenic detected in soil near Livonia playscape
BY CHRISTINA HALL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Livonia has temporarily closed the Beverly Park play structure because arsenic was detected in the soil near the playscape and in test borings of the wood of the structure.
Fencing was erected around the playscape today. Test results from about 8-10 feet outside the playscape area do not show elevated levels [...]
Arsenic contamination has some crying foul
By BRIAN MCGILLIVARY
February 01, 2009 12:00 am
Arsenic contamination was discovered at a proposed park in Peninsula Township weeks before voters approved a $2 million, 10-year tax to pay for the property.
But voters weren’t told of the contamination, and some township residents want to know why the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy — the nonprofit agency [...]
Accountants urged to brush up water footprinting skills
Global professional body issues report calling for wider corporate reporting of water use
James Murray, Business Green 21 May 2009
They may already be under increasing pressure to develop a standard mechanism for measuring the carbon footprint of a company or product, but that has not stopped the global body for accountants, the Association [...]
What is a Pollutant?
What is a pollutant? If you look at an insurance policy they will define a pollutant as smoke, soot, vapors, fumes, acids. I am not a scientist and so the definition of a pollutant we use at ERMI is a material, substance or product that gets introduced into an environment for other than [...]
EPA Envirofacts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just added more than 6,300 chemicals and 3,800 chemical facilities regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to a public database called Envirofacts. The Envirofacts database is EPA’s single point of access on the Internet for information about environmental activities that may affect air, water and land [...]
Assault on Batteries
October 16, 2008 – 3:34 pm
Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Under federal law you own your waste from cradle to grave. If a battery recycler does not adhere to government environmental standards the facility could be turned into a superfund site. Anyone/business that sent waste batteries to the recycling facility could be responsible for any required clean up.
When is the [...]
Drinking water of 41m Americans contaminated with pharmaceuticals
August 28, 2008 – 4:18 pm
Source: Environmental News Network
An investigation by the Associated Press (AP) has revealed that the drinking water of at least 41 million people in the United States is contaminated with pharmaceutical drugs.
It has long been known that drugs are not wholly absorbed or broken down by the human body. Significant amounts of any medication [...]
Cost Justification Called Top Barrier To Greener Supply Chains
June 27, 2008 – Supply chain executives striving to green their operations are finding themselves most hamstrung by difficulties in justifying the cost of implementation, according to a new survey.
The survey of 250 supply chain executives finds that of the 78% who are either currently implementing or evaluating green initiatives, close to two-thirds consider “cost [...]
Developer To Pay New York States Biggest Stormwater Fine
The developer of the Greenport Commons retail project on Route 9 in the town of Greenport, New York has been slapped with the largest stormwater penalty in the history of New York state.
Widewaters Greenport Co. LLC has agreed to pay a $100,000 settlement to resolve numerous stormwater violations at the development and must also temporarily [...]
Canada Could Ban Baby Bottles Containing Bisphenol A
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Should you follow Canada’s lead? For several years I have been reading reports on bisphenol A and while the manufacturers mean no harm to their consumers, evidence is building this product may cause harm.
If Canada fells it is worth restricting maybe you should learn more about how bisphenol A may [...]
New Standard Provides for Assessment of Potential for Vapor Intrusion into Structures
environmental Strategist, between the lines: In March 2008 the ASTM E 2600-08 Vapor Intrusion was introduced. For property owners, lenders, tenants, realtors, contractors or any others that are involved in real property this is a critical area and vapor intrusion has emerged as a significant environmental issue. ASTM 2600 should now be considered part of [...]
ECO-FRIENDLY MONOPOLY
environmental Strategist between the lines: If the game that introduced all of us to capitalism is going eco-friendly, I would have say the sustainable business environment is here to stay. Environmental issues impact every business operating today. Coming to the realization that sustainability has to be included as part of every business [...]
Contractor disturbs chemicals; well water safety threatened
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Share this with your excavation client’s. Even though the contractor did not cause the pollution, under federal law if you exacerbate an existing pollution condition, even if you are to aware the pollution condition exists, you are now a liable party. I wonder how much it’s going to cost the [...]
Reimbursable Insurance Premiums for Brownfields
Michigan has created a huge opportunity for insurance agents as it relates to Brownfields.
As of January 2008 Michigan now allows Environmental Liability insurance to qualify as an eligible activity for reimbursement.
Why would any Michigan Brownfield not have environmental insurance on it if the cost will be reimbursed to the owner/developer?
For agents outside of Michigan find [...]
Deep-injection well approved by regulators
February 8, 2008 – 4:34 pm
Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Back in the early 90’s when I was a retail agent I called this company about the Bay Harbor Brownfield project at the former site of a large cement factory/quarry. I was told by the developers they were all set and there was no need for cost cap coverage, environmental [...]
All Shades of Green Insurance
January 31, 2008 – 3:33 pm
Most of the commercial insurance products out there with “green” in their name appear to be coming out of the property side of the business.
By Matthew Brodsky
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. was the first carrier to offer a standard property product with its Certified Green Building Replacement and Green Upgrade coverages, released in October 2006.
For [...]
Adam Smith Meet Mother Earth
January 10, 2008 – 3:20 pm
From: , Worldwatch Institute,
January 10, 2008 10:13 AM
Washington, D.C.— Pioneering entrepreneurs, nongovernmental organizations, and governments around the globe are inventing the Earth’s first sustainable global economy, according to State of the World 2008: Innovations for a Sustainable Economy. In response to climate change and other environmental problems, these leaders are field-testing a remarkable array of [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IMPACTING HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL FACILITIES
Every hospital and medical facility operating today faces numerous environmental exposures. The following is a partial list of environmental exposures faced by hospitals and medical facilities or by the vendors they hire. This is by no means a complete list.
After the environmental exposures list you will find a [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY AUTOMOTIVE SALVAGE YARDS
Common environmental exposures faced by scrap yards: Automobile parts cover a variety of segments with each facing their own unique environmental exposures including metals, ceramics, plastics, rubber, textiles, batteries and electronics. Many of these segments utilize hazardous materials that produce hazardous wastes, all of which must be handled appropriately [...]
Potential environmental liability exposures for general contractors performing above ground and underground construction Services
Potential environmental liability exposures: completed operations exposures including incomplete line hookup or improper system construction causing spills or emissions; fumes, emission and spills of chemicals applied during construction (finishers, sealants), lubricant oils and other fluids from field equipment; release of oils/fuels as a result of vandalism, site preparation/excavation work [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IMPACTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Every educational institution operating today faces numerous environmental exposures. The following is a list of environmental exposures faced by educational institutions or by the vendors they hire. This is by no means a complete list.
After the environmental exposures list you will find a list of actual environmental looses that have [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY GOLF COURSES/RESORTS
This competitive environmental intelligence is for golf course/resort owners/operators to assist in understanding the environmental issues that may impact your operations and potential risk transfer strategies
Common environmental exposures faced by golf courses/resorts include: Over application of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides; improper storage of batteries and raw materials/chemicals/fuels/lubricants/anti-freeze; leaking underground or [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY HUNTING AND FISHING BUSINESSES
Common environmental exposures encountered with hunting and fishing clubs include: natural resource damages; storm water runoff; historical pollution from mining, landfills, manufacturing, government facilities, agriculture, scrap yards, old equipment; illegal disposal of waste; improper treatment and/or disposal of sanitary wastewater facilities; nuisance odor claims; fuel spills from recreational equipment; [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY MANUFACTURERS
Common environmental exposures faced by manufacturers include: Air emissions from painting and plating lines, ovens, boilers, reactors, (types of emissions include: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, particulate (heavy metals and dusts), VOC (volatile organic compounds); PCB-containing equipment and transformers; spills or leaks from underground and/or aboveground storage [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY PUBLIC ENTITIES/MUNICIPALITIES
Some common environmental exposures faced by public entities/municipalities include: Wastewater treatment plants/pumping stations present exposures from nuisance odor claims, raw sewage rupture, chlorine gas emissions, and historic site conditions (i.e. old in ground features, surface impoundment, lagoons, clarifiers, unknown/old landfills; sewer lines, rupture of raw sewage lines, flood, discharge [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OWNERS
Real estate developers/owners face a wide array of environmental exposures. The following competitive environmental intelligence offers a partial list of environmental exposures developers/owners of real estate may face. The second part of this competitive environmental intelligence will review environmental looses and the third part addresses risk transfer strategies.
Environmental [...]
Environmental Issues Impacting The Aviation Industry
The following is a list of environmental exposures that can be faced by aviation operations or by the vendors they hire. After the description of the exposures we list actual environmental looses that have occurred and continue to occur due to reactive businesses.
Airport and Aircraft Maintenance Facilities
The most [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES FACED BY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Common environmental exposures faced by wastewater treatment plants include: Discharges of contaminated effluent, (resulting from a treatment process breakdown, untreatable contaminants, excess volume from combined sewer overflows….); contaminated effluent which causes soil, surface water and/or groundwater contamination (the effects of improperly treated effluent entering a surface water body might [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES IMPACTING COMMERICAL AND RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS
This competitive environmental intelligence focuses on environmental liabilities faced by commercial and residential contractors along with actual loss examples and environmental liability insurance to consider in a risk transfer strategy.
COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS
Common environmental exposures for commercial contractors include:
Excavation/Site Preparation, Drilling/Geotechnical Contractors: excavation through and spreading of unknown preexisting [...]
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPSOURES FOR AUTO DEALER AND REPAIR FACILITIES
Common environmental exposures encountered at car dealerships, gasoline/service stations, and garages include: Leaking underground fuel and waste oil storage tanks; Untested underground fuel & waste oil/solvent tanks and pipes; Underground tanks which were removed/abandoned; Lack of information on existing and former underground tanks (e.g. age, contents, size, construction, cathodic [...]
SECURED CREDITOR COVERAGE FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ITS ROLE IN A TRANSPARENT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
To make sure we start out on the same page, I would like to point out that virtually every business operating today faces either a direct or indirect environmental exposure. Businesses with direct environmental exposures are quite obvious, i.e. chemical manufacturers, environmental remediation contractors, hazardous material transporters, etc….
Businesses with [...]
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