What Does the Public Think?  Do your neighbors view your facilities as "good neighbors"? There is no business today that has any sort of emission or release potential from its production processes, products or other systems that should not be concerned with what the public knows and thinks about that business.   My legal services include helping a business cope with the following public concerns.

Right-to-Know Laws exist at the federal, state and local level.  Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act ("EPCRA") there are requirements for emergency planning and release notification, certain reporting requirements regarding hazardous chemicals that are used by  facilities, and toxic chemical "release" reporting  requirements applicable to businesses in the manufacturing sector of the economy. EPCRA authorizes penalties and citizen suit actions for violations of the law.

Risk Management Plans are required under the Clean Air Act for certain businesses, Spill Prevention and Control Plans are required under the Clean Water Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)also contains risk management planning requirements.

Accident Response is essential in order to minimize harm to people and property.  Over and above the specifics of reporting and planning requirements, OSHA and the Clean Air Act imply or may in specific instances impose a general duty to prevent and minimize harm. I have assisted firms that have suffered serious accidents that have involved injury and public impact.