The EP Handbook
A working reference for environmental due diligence.
Every database in a radius report, the state programs behind it, the defined terms, the CEQA air quality thresholds of California's largest air districts, and the questions buyers and lenders actually ask. Written for the consultant at 10 PM and the deal team at 10 AM.
Start with the ASTM E1527-21 search distances table, read how air district thresholds work, or pick any entry from the index.
Phase I ESA
The government record sources in a Phase I radius report, what each listing means, how far ASTM E1527-21 says to search, and the state programs that hold the records.
IntroductionASTM search distancesRecord types 17
Brownfields SitesDelisted NPLERNSFederal Institutional / Engineering Control RegistriesLUSTNFRAP / SEMS-ARCHIVENPLRCRA CORRACTSRCRA GeneratorsRCRA TSDSEMSSHWSState/Tribal Institutional & Engineering Control RegistriesSWF/LFTRI / TRISUST / ASTVCPState records
Florida 21
Florida environmental recordsStorage tank facility registrationPetroleum Restoration ProgramPetroleum cleanup eligibility programsState-Lead Cleanup ProgramBrownfields ProgramVoluntary Cleanup Tax CreditDrycleaning Solvent Cleanup ProgramDrycleaning facility registrationContaminated Site Cleanup Criteria (Chapter 62-780)Contaminant Cleanup Target Levels (Chapter 62-777)Site Investigation SectionSuperfund sites and CERCLA Site ScreeningFederal Programs SectionSolid waste facilitiesHazardous Waste ManagementInstitutional Controls RegistryPublic records and OCULUSSpills and Public Notices of PollutionCattle dipping vatsUnderground injection wellsIdaho 19
Idaho environmental recordsRegulated Underground Storage TanksLeaking Underground Storage TanksAboveground and heating oil tanksVoluntary Cleanup ProgramBrownfields ProgramPreliminary Assessment ProgramRisk EvaluationSolid waste facilitiesHazardous waste generators and permitted facilitiesOpen dumping and waste tiresEnvironmental covenantsFacility MapperSpill reports and environmental concernsNotices of violation and enforcementMine sitesGroundwater quality and nitrate priority areasSource water assessmentsSeptic system recordsOklahoma 15
Oklahoma environmental recordsPetroleum storage tank registrationsPetroleum storage tank release casesSuperfund sitesVoluntary Cleanup ProgramBrownfields ProgramSite Cleanup Assistance ProgramHazardous waste facilitiesSolid waste facilitiesUnderground injection wellsTier II chemical reportingSpill reports and environmental complaintsCorporation Commission BrownfieldsOil and gas spills and incidentsOil and gas well recordsPennsylvania 18
Pennsylvania environmental recordsStorage tank registrationsStorage Tank Cleanup ProgramResidential heating oil tanksLand Recycling ProgramAct 2 remediation standardsHazardous Sites Cleanup ProgramMulti-Site Remediation AgreementsOne Cleanup ProgramMunicipal Waste Landfills and Resource Recovery FacilitiesResidual Waste ProgramHazardous Waste ProgramActivity and Use Limitations (PA AUL) RegistryEnvironmental Site Assessment Search ToolInformal File Review and Right-to-Know requestsOil and gas wellsAbandoned mine lands and mine subsidenceEnvironmental complaints and emergenciesTexas 24
Texas environmental recordsLeaking Petroleum Storage Tank casesPetroleum Storage Tank registrationsState Superfund RegistryVoluntary Cleanup ProgramInnocent Owner/Operator ProgramBrownfields Site AssessmentsDry Cleaner Remediation ProgramDry cleaner registrationsIndustrial and Hazardous Waste registrationsIndustrial and Hazardous Waste Corrective ActionMunicipal Solid Waste facilitiesClosed Landfill InventoryMunicipal Setting DesignationsTexas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP)Spill reportsNotices of violation and enforcementGroundwater contamination casesUnderground injection wellsTier II chemical reportingEdwards Aquifer protection plansRailroad Commission Operator Cleanup ProgramRailroad Commission Voluntary Cleanup ProgramRailroad Commission Brownfields Response ProgramPhase II ESA
The sampling investigation that follows a Phase I finding: scoping, field methods, reading results, cost, and outcomes.
What is a Phase II ESA?Scoping a Phase IIPhase II field methodsReading Phase II resultsPhase II cost and timelineAfter the Phase IIProperty Condition Assessment
The building-side report: what a PCA covers, the cost tables lenders use, and how it pairs with the Phase I.
What is a Property Condition Assessment?What a PCA covers, and what it doesn'tThe numbers in a PCAPCA vs. Phase I ESAPCA cost and timelineReading a PCA reportCEQA Air Quality
How California air districts evaluate project emissions: thresholds, Appendix G, and CalEEMod in plain terms.
How CEQA air district thresholds workThe six Appendix G air and climate questionsCalEEMod in plain termsAir quality glossaryAir districts 5
Bay Area AQMDSacramento Metro AQMDSan Diego APCDSan Joaquin Valley APCDSouth Coast AQMDBuyer & Lender FAQ
Deal-side questions: cost, validity windows, and what a REC means for a transaction.
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?How much does a Phase I ESA cost?How long does a Phase I ESA take?How long is a Phase I ESA valid?Who can perform a Phase I ESA?Why does my lender require a Phase I?What happens if the Phase I finds a REC?Phase I vs. Phase II: what's the difference?Phase I ESA vs. Transaction ScreenDoes a Phase I cover asbestos, mold, radon, or lead paint?What is a data gap in a Phase I?