After conducting an inspection of my facility, the DEP Hazardous Waste representative decided she needed to test the dispersants from my treatment machine (a machine they suggested I purchase four years ago). Fair enough. On test day, three people from the DEP show up, all in different vehicles. Two of them arrived in separate, very large, diesel pickup trucks with crew cab and "EMERGENCY RESPONSE" plastered all over them. I point this out because these are the people tasked with "protection of the environment." Yet, they are driving anything but fossil-fuel-saving-low-emission-vehicles.
The three DEP representatives proceed to spend the next three hours to obtain a few samples of water vapor. At a time when all levels of government seem to be operating on tight budgets with no room for unnecessary expenses, this just seems wasteful.
To make this situation even more insulting, the DEP representative has informed me that if the test results are out of compliance guidelines, I'll be expected to pay for the test AND she cannot tell me what the cost for that test is. But if the test results are in compliance, the state (taxpayers) pay for the test. Since state and federal governments are hurting for money, do you think there's any incentive for them to make sure the test results are out of compliance? Oh yeah, and I was told they couldn't give me a sample because of custody and control guidelines.
Stay tuned to see how this turns out, but tell me what you think.
I agree with you that they are wasteful in showing up in two wasteful trucks. There is something wrong if they cannot tell you the cost of the test or give you a sample as well.
ReplyDeleteBased on several things you have mentioned on this blog, I would recommend to you to get a lawyer to help you because it seems odd that they are going after you with rules that don't exist on the books and they have admitted it (hopefully in writing). Now they want to surprise test you. Makes me think that one of your competitors has friends in high places.
I know your point was to expose waste but it sounds like fighting some of this may help expose other abuses.
1. Not many lawyers want to take on the government.
ReplyDelete2. These people know a small-time business like me doesn't have the financial resources to fight a never-ending legal battle.
3. The government "admits" to nothing in writing.
The way these people operate is that they inspect, present their findings and (if they're able to find anything wrong) they tell you what the maximum penalty is (like $35,000 per day of the violation), then they tell you they're giving you some leeway and they try to make it something very hurtful, but that you'll pay, just to stay in business. Been there, done that.
Who is willing to offer financial assistance to the cause?