Facilities and Environmental Compliance

PCB-Containing Caulk

In early April 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the reassessment of PCB use authorizations. NACUBO, along with five other higher education associations submitted the following comment letter encouraging the EPA to establish a use authorization for any PCB-containing caulk that was in use in college and university buildings prior to July 2, 1979. The authorization should allow for continued use of intact caulk (and any substrate material impacted thereby) for the useful life of the building. The premature removal of such caulking will impose an enormous financial burden on the college and university sector without correlative benefit to public health.

NACUBO Comment Letter - August 19, 2010

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College and University Business Administration, 7th Edition - Facilities Management
This chapter covers the vast array of responsibilities associated with managing a higher education institution’s physical assets: campus planning; building and space management; facility planning, design, and construction; operations and maintenance; energy and sustainability; and real estate ownership.

Additional Resources

CampusERC - Help your institution join campuses nationwide in proactively improving regulatory compliance, reducing air emissions, minimizing waste, conserving water, and integrating sustainability into their campus operations with this valuable online resource
Campus Sustainability -- Learn about the economic benefits of green initiatives on your campus and find links to organizations, publications, and institutions that encourage responsible environmental management and practices.
Asbestos Litigation - NACUBO has been involved in pursuing reimbursement for costs of asbestos abatement for colleges and universities since the mid-1980s. In 1987, NACUBO, ACE and a group of institutions contributed funds to sponsor a class action suit against asbestos companies (Central Wesleyan v. W.R. Grace, et.al) that was filed in the U.S. District Court in South Carolina.

News

NACUBO Members Take Concerns to Capitol Hill
(September 19, 2012)

Comments Wanted on NFPA Security Standards
(December 14, 2011)

New EPA Boiler Rule Affects Colleges and Universities
(September 23, 2011)

EPA: Effective Date Delayed on Final Rules for Major Source Boilers
(May 18, 2011)

EPA: Technical Corrections to Academic Labs Rule
(December 20, 2010)

DoJ: Final Rules ADA Title III Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
(September 15, 2010)

DoJ: Final Rules ADA Title II State and Local Government Services
(September 15, 2010)

Revised ADA Regulations Released
(August 11, 2010)

EPA Looking at PCB Levels in Caulk
(June 7, 2010)

OSHA: Proposed Rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection
(May 24, 2010)

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Business Officer Magazine Articles

Restructured Facilities Maintenance Processes Lower Costs, Increase Staff Efficiency
(April 2012)

Inner Spaces
(February 2012)

Wise Buys
(February 2012)

Renovation and Revival
(February 2012)

Stewards by Nature
(December 2011)

Conservation Calibration
(October 2011)

Concurrent Sessions Cover Compliance and Collaboration
(September 2011)

Renewables to Spare
(September 2011)

Celebrating Innovation
(May 2011)

The Benefits of Retrofits
(April 2011)

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Regulatory Initiative -- Reducing the RCRA Burden

NACUBO is working to engage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a cooperative effort toward environmental excellence on college campuses. Through this initiative, NACUBO aims to foster a dialogue with EPA about the application of certain environmental regulations to the activities of colleges and universities.

Background Material

NACUBO surveyed members about the hazardous waste management function at their institutions as part of our ongoing efforts to inform the EPA about the difficulties of applying some waste management rules to academic labs.