ENV-07-104 Utilizing Technology to Solve Compliance Data Management Issues

Description:

Several of Valero’s refineries are using technology to increase the efficiency of gathering and reporting information required for demonstrating compliance to their Title V operating permits. The technology consolidates a summary of compliance information into a single database accessible through a web site, eliminating the need for software to be installed on each user’s desktop computer. The technology is comprised of several functionalities that solve compliance information management challenges. One of these challenges is the time consuming process of gathering information from individuals throughout a refinery and reviewing this information to determine if a true deviation has occurred. The refineries have been able to reduce the amount of time to gather and review information by transferring paper compliance plans to electronic compliance calendars that generate email reminders of compliance tasks to their employees. Each email contains a link to a web site where employees can enter a task response. Once task responses are entered, environmental professionals are able to filter task responses to find potential deviations. Links to applicable permit text, federal regulatory text, and state regulatory text assist environmental professionals in determining if a potential deviation can be classified as a true deviation and included in Title V operating permit deviation reports.