If you want a safe oil tank for the environment, consider hiring a professional for environmental consulting. This service will help you determine if your tank will be safe for your family and the community and also help you to maintain your tank. However, you should hire someone with a professional background and a reputation for doing a good job. In addition, you should avoid any “hard sell” approach and be aware of potential conflicts of interest.
Services of Environmental Consulting Firms
President Nixon founded the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 in response to rising worries about human influence on the environment. The EPA is responsible for developing and enforcing national standards to safeguard human and environmental health via laws and regulations. The fact is that, whether in the commercial or public sector, we frequently require services regulated by the EPA or comparable local organizations.
You may require the services of an environmental consulting firm if you own a business or a house. An environmental consulting firm like the environmental consulting Putnam County is a liaison between our customers and the regulating bodies. While striving to enhance ecological health, an intelligent environmental consulting firm protects your money from penalties and future fees.
Common Sense is the Rule.
Common sense is the game’s name for environmental consulting for oil tanks. However, you don’t want to be caught dead in a fire. The best way to ensure that doesn’t happen is to take some measures to prevent it from happening in the first place. Some examples include installing a fire extinguisher in your car and a sprinkler system at your house. If you do not do these things, you may face a fate similar to the one you just suffered.
All tank systems are susceptible to leaks in the fill lines or the tank itself, which can lead to substantial soil and groundwater pollution. Despite the fact that most of New York City do not use groundwater for drinking water, the NYSDEC strictly monitors heating oil tanks. Numerous enforcement proceedings have been initiated against residential buildings for failing to properly register tanks, report spills, and remediate pollution. Indeed, a handful of multi-family buildings in New York City have been fined more than $1 million for tank violations and cleaning.
Most “tank” firms simply deal with the technical and physical components of the tank system—that is, disassembling and removing the old tank system and installing the new one. These businesses seldom deal with or have the competence to comply with, NYSDEC standards including sample techniques, closure reports, and so on.
Beware of Conflicts of Interest.
If you are considering hiring an environmental consultant to work on your oil tank, you should be aware of potential conflicts of interest. These relationships can be a severe problem; if you aren’t careful, you could end up paying for it.
Environmental consultants often represent multiple clients, which can create a conflict of interest. This can be especially problematic if the consultant is working for the same firm that has performed a conflicting analysis. The cost to you may be substantial.
An engagement contract should specify that the environmental consultant must avoid working for another client. It would help if you also insisted on the consultant disclosing prior representations. While you cannot compel the consultant to renounce the previous work, you can insist on a written clarification.
You should know about other potential conflicts of interest, including market consolidation, employee mobility, and conflicting analyses from the same consulting firm. These issues can all result in a significant amount of money and time wasted. It’s essential to be sure that you have adequate protection in your contract, particularly if you are considering an environmental consultant who will be the face of your agency.