Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction program


  

Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction programs

Summary
 
Licence number: 779
Title: PRS 22 - Asset environmental management review
Start date: 01 Feb 2020
 
Licence Condition
The licensee must undertake a review of external plant assets on the premises to identify and implement appropriate mitigation measures to minimise potential environmental impacts resulting from asset strategy, physical condition assessment and maintenance delivery (Asset Environmental Management Review). The Asset Environmental Management Review must focus on key external plant assets including, but not limited to, the water treatment plants, lime softening plant, diesel and chemical bulk storage areas and associated systems, ash and dust pipelines, and stormwater systems.  By 13 March 2020, the licensee must notify the EPA of the assets subject to the Asset Environmental Management Review; categorise their environment risk as either "High", "Medium" or "Low" (for the purpose of prioritising the timing of the Asset Environmental Management Review); and, provide the rationale for their categorisation. The notification must be provided to the EPA at PO Box 488G, Newcastle NSW 2300, or emailed to info@epa.nsw.gov.au, for the EPA's approval. The key activities to be undertaken as part of the Asset Environmental Management Review must include: (a) A review of key external plant assets on the premises targeting environmental risk reduction. The review of each key external plant asset must include consideration of the following: Statutory requirements under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997; Any prior environmental incidents in relation to the asset; Critical controls to manage environmental impacts relating to the asset; Engineering technical standards which apply to the asset; Existing operating manuals and procedures for the asset; The asset management plans for the incident; and The maintenance strategy for the asset. (b) The review of key external plant assets on the premises must identify recommendations for each asset to improve asset health through a focus on asset strategy, physical condition assessment and maintenance delivery. This may include recommendations relating to: The use of alternatives technologies; Changes to operations and/or maintenance programs and inspections; and Further risk assessments to ensure key environmental risks are being controlled. The licensee must complete the Asset Environmental Management Review detailed above by the following dates. (i) Stage 1 - Completion of the Asset Environmental Management Review for those assets identified as having a "High" environmental Risk by 31 December 2020. (ii) Provision of a report to the EPA that outlines the Asset Environmental Management Review for Stage 1, including key findings and recommendations. The report must be provided to the EPA at PO Box 488G, Newcastle NSW 2300, or emailed to info@epa.nsw.gov.au, by 31 March 2021. Note: On 31 March 2021, the licensee wrote to the EPA providing the required report in respect of the Asset Environmental Management Review for Stage 1. (iii) Stage 2 - Completion of the Asset Environmental Management Review for those assets identified as having a "Medium" or "Low" environmental Risk by 30 September 2021. (ii) Provision of a report to the EPA that outlines the Asset Environmental Management Review for Stage 2, including key findings and recommendations. The report must be provided to the EPA at PO Box 488G, Newcastle NSW 2300, or emailed to info@epa.nsw.gov.au, by 31 December 2021. Note: On 23 December 2021, the licensee wrote to the EPA providing the required report in respect of the Asset Environmental Management Review for Stage 2. The EPA has written to the licensee regarding this matter.