Climate Planning at Oil and Chemical Release Sites

ASTM International’s committee on environmental assessment, risk management, and corrective action (E50) is developing a standard aimed at helping plan and implement climate-related policies at oil and chemical release sites.

The standard will cover site assessment, feasibility studies, remedial design, and implementation, according to committee member Helen Waldorf.

“The proposed standard will apply to waste sites where oil or other hazardous materials have come to be located,” says Waldorf. “This includes locations under the U.S. Federal Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act waste management programs, as well as state, tribal, municipal, and industry-sponsored waste management programs. It’s designed to prepare for, protect against, and respond to climate-related events such as floods, fire, and sea-level rise.”

Waldorf says that the proposed standard will be used by industries, states, and other agencies as a guide to structure assessment, remedial design actions, and remedy review.

Interested parties are invited to join in the development of the proposed standard (WK66522). ASTM International is also in the process of exploring other needed climate standards activities.