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"The impetus in our industry to call the most unsubstantiated risk RECs is really ridiculous..."

Now you know how CEO/President Scott Pate of Sierra Piedmont feels.

Further, "all too often, when performing a Phase I ESA, consultants utilize the material threat definition too broadly and believe that mere presence (e.g. of a gas station) is a REC."

Read: Phase IIs are recommended more often than they should be.

Phase Is are an ideal tool for measuring environmental risk.

This risk comes in the form of Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs).

Let's walk through two scenarios of a subject property whose neighbor is a gas station...

#1 - Low Risk:

A convenience store with gasoline exists upgradient of your site.

Phase I research indicates there has not been a reported release.

Inventory records and fuel delivery status does not indicate a release has occurred, either.

There are no groundwater monitoring wells on-site.
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Gas stations can be RECs, but their mere existence does not mean it is so.

#2 - High Risk:

A gas station next door has a petroleum release; the extent of the contamination is unknown.

Regulators are aware of the release, but the owner has not taken remedial action.

Worst case scenario: the subject property and adjacent ones are heavily contaminated.

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Remediation can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take several years to complete.

Regardless of scenario, it's a smart idea to consult an environmental professional.

Sierra Piedmont provides clear understanding, backed by definition, of environmental risk.

We're always here to determine if RECs (actually) exist.

Contact us today to find out how we can fill the gaps in your compliance knowledge!