An Introduction to the New EPA RRP Lead Rules<BR>March 3, 2010, Manchester NH

  

  

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Find Out What's Coming So You Can Start Getting Ready!

Southern NH Home Builders & Remodelers Association's Monthly Meeting

I'd like to thank Jan Jacome of Crossroads Contracting for inviting me to speak at last night's event.  Jan and Lisa Bowman, Executive Officer at the association, did a great job making this happen.  Ed Stewart, chapter president and owner of Boardwalk North, introduced me to the attendees.  I'd like to thank Ed for his kind words about me and his past experiences attending my seminars.  The attendees were great too.  I felt they really appreciated my being there and offered a bunch of "Silver Bullets" at the end of the night to let me know how the presentation helped them and their businesses.

The majority of attendees at last night's EPA RRP introduction seminar had not yet done their Certified Renovator training, nor had they applied for firm certification.  This was good for my purposes, because the seminar was intended to be an introduction and awareness event to help contractors.  However, it is a challenge for the attendees because they are running out of or are already out of time.

Attendees were surprised to learn that under the RRP rules, if their businesses have not become certified firms by April 22^nd, they cannot offer or perform work that falls under the RRP rules.  Becoming a certified renovator can be done quickly; simply by finding a class, attending and passing the exam.  But according to the RRP rules, the EPA has up to 90 days to process a properly completed firm certification application.  I mailed my firm certification application on January 15^th and still have not gotten my firm certification back from the EPA as of writing this.   Even if they all went home last night, downloaded and filled out their applications and mailed them this morning, they would not receive their firm certifications back before the rules take effect.  Unfortunately, they are in the same position as most contractors. 

It was also made clear to attendees that the EPA would not be limited to on-site inspections.  Rather, they would most likely be visiting their offices to review their compliance documentation for all projects they work on at homes built prior to 1978.  So, if the EPA looks at their job list, cross references addresses to determine the year built of the homes they worked on, had they worked on any pre-1978 homes before their firm certification was approved, they would be in violation of the rules and subject to the $37,500 fine for each violation.   I think they were glad to be informed of this consideration, but were also frustrated that the EPA has done little to make contractors and consumers aware of the new rules to give them adequate time to prepare.

At the meeting, the association passed out a flyer describing and offering my full day seminar, created to help contractors get their businesses ready for the new rules and responsibilities.  Their intent was to see if they had enough interest to offer the seminar.  Many of the attendees signed up.  A tentative date has been set for April 1^st, 2010.  More information should be available soon.

 Click here to request the seminar handout

Ed Stuart, Chapter President	Jan Jacome, Crossroads Contracting

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