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

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

Revised ADA Regulations Released
(August 11, 2010)

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

EPA: PCB Reassessment Advance Notice
(April 7, 2010)

New Project Gathers Fire-Related Statistics
(November 18, 2009)

EPA: Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
(October 30, 2009)

EPA: Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Proposed Rule
(October 27, 2009)

Solar Installer Instructor Training Awards
(October 8, 2009)

The Checks Are Almost in the Mail
(October 7, 2009)

OSHA: Proposed Changes to Hazard Communication Standard
(September 30, 2009)

Proposed Rule Reduces FEMA Dollars for Facilities Damaged Three or More Times
(August 12, 2009)

More...

Business Officer Magazine Articles

Facilities Funding Thaws
(January 2010)

Alternative Energy Economics
(February 2009)

Capital Ideas
(September 2008)

Seeking a Smaller Footprint
(July 2008)

Connecting at the Library
(June 2008)

Teaming Up for Smart Growth
(May 2008)

Instant Housing
(March 2008)

Get the Picture?
(February 2008)

Waste Not
(March 2007)

Don't Put Off Til Tomorrow...
(December 2006)

More...

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.