Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 1 - 15 of 44 results

  • How often does a facility need to complete an oil spill response training under the FRP requirements?

    Facilities subject to the Facility Response Plan (FRP) regulations in 40 CFR Part 112, Subpart D are required to develop a facility response training program to train those personnel involved in oil spill response activities (§112.21(b)). How often does a facility need to complete an oil spill response training under…

    • Last published:

  • What is a significant and substantial harm facility?

    Some substantial harm facilities may meet the criteria for a significant and substantial harm facility. After you have prepared and submitted your FRP, the RA may determine that your facility has the potential, not just for substantial harm, but for significant and substantial harm. If the RA makes that determination…

    • Last published:

  • Ongoing Work: How is the air monitoring and air sampling data being used to protect the community and the environment?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions Air monitoring and sampling stations continue to run 24/7 at: The site perimeter The work areas In the community We oversee results from daily air monitoring reports. These reports continue to show no levels of contaminants (pdf) * (particulates, mineral acid gases) above our health…

    • Last published:

  • Moss Landing Air: Are you requiring any air monitoring or sampling during Vistra’s battery removal work?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions EPA is requiring air monitoring and air sampling to protect nearby residents and workers during the battery removal process. Vistra is required to implement air monitoring and air sampling during the demolition and battery handling activities. In the event of a fire, in addition to…

    • Last published:

  • Moss Landing Air: What happened with the spike in particulate matter at air monitoring station 9 the morning of January 18, which resulted in a 1.275 mg/m3 reading for PM10?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions EPA contractors were servicing the equipment at station 9, which resulted in a false reading of a temporary spike in PM10 at that location. Some temporary spikes or gaps in the data are expected, due to various factors such as lapses in telemetry (data transmission)…

    • Last published:

  • PE certification for an FRP if an SPCC impracticability determination is made

    If the owner or operator of a facility subject to the SPCC regulations determines that the installation of any of the specified secondary containment structures or equipment is not practicable and accordingly provides in the facility’s SPCC Plan an oil spill contingency plan following the provisions of 40 CFR Part…

    • Last published:

  • Other Testing or Sampling: Did EPA take wipe samples on-site?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions In emergency response situations, EPA focuses on understanding how a person could contact contamination (also called exposure). Inhalation was the main way someone could be exposed to contamination from Moss Landing. To understand the risk of inhalation, monitoring and measuring the air was done. It…

    • Last published:

  • Moss Landing Air: What particulate sizes did EPA monitor during the initial response in January?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions EPA monitored for all of the particulate sizes listed below. If we say we are monitoring for PM2.5, this includes monitoring for particles 2.5 micrometers (μm) and smaller, down to the detection limit of the instrument (in this case 0.1 micrometers). The equipment EPA used…

    • Last published:

  • Elements to include in Facility Response Plan

    What key elements should I include in my Facility Response Plan? As you prepare your FRP, be sure that your plan includes the following elements: Emergency Response Action Plan (an easily accessible stand-alone section of the overall plan) including the identity of a qualified individual with the authority to implement…

    • Last published:

  • What are the FRP recordkeeping requirements?

    What FRP recordkeeping requirements must I satisfy? You must maintain the response plan at your facility, along with plan updates reflecting material changes. You must also keep a log of response training drills and exercises. Records of inspections of response equipment must be kept for five years. If you determine…

    • Last published:

  • Under FRP, what is the definition of a qualified individual?

    The FRP regulations require facilities to prepare an emergency response action plan and identify a qualified individual that has full authority, including contracting authority, to implement removal actions (40 CFR §112.20(h)(i)). What is the definition of a qualified individual? The relevant statute, CWA 311(j)(5)(C)(ii) requires that the plan identify the…

    • Last published:

  • EPA's Role: What is battery delinking and what does it do?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions Battery “delinking” is when cables connecting different batteries are disconnected. At Moss Landing, batteries were disconnected from one another. They were also disconnected from the rack holding the batteries in the energy storage system. Disconnecting the batteries from one another lowers the risk of fire.

    • Last published:

  • Moss Landing Soil: Did EPA use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to test soil on and around the site?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions Monterey County is overseeing the soil sampling in the community to assess exposure, while EPA remains focused on overseeing the battery removal work at the site. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a screening tool used to detect metals in soil. Screening tools are helpful to assess…

    • Last published:

  • Other Testing or Sampling: Did EPA sample for black carbon?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions Black carbon (soot) is part of PM 2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns), which is measured in air monitoring. Since the fire, we have not seen levels of PM2.5 that would be of concern to the community’s health.

    • Last published:

  • Other Testing or Sampling: Is EPA testing for dioxins?

    Return to: Frequently Asked Questions Dioxins are produced in many ways, such as through power plant operations, agricultural operations, etc. Without a long-term study and risk assessment, it is difficult to determine if dioxins in the surrounding environment are a result of the January 2025 battery fire at Moss Landing…

    • Last published: