D.C. Update: RRP Stats to Warm the Cockles of Your Heart

[ChrWright]

http://www.homechannelnews.com/story.aspx?id=132633&menuid=267

D.C. Update: Remodeling and the EPA

(Mar. 4) By Jeremy Stine

A soon-to-take-effect rule change from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) poses a serious problem for home renovators.

Designed to address lead issues, the Remodeling, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule takes effect April 22, requiring contractors, property managers and others paid to renovate structures built before 1978 to be certified by the EPA.

But there's a problem: The EPA has only 123 accredited trainers -- well below its goal of 1,000. With 6,501 certified renovators nationwide, the numbers are far too insufficient for the millions of renovations carried out annually.

What's more, certification of firms currently takes EPA six weeks or more to process and approve. This will have serious consequences for the entire housing industry if the lead rule is not delayed.

Various trade associations are working hard to delay the rule, including the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA). Please visit epa.gov or dealer.org to view the full EPA brochure, "Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting.”

6,501. Ridiculously low.

I wonder the source for the stats. Doesn't surprise me though.

[Silvertree]

It could take 2 to 6 months for approval if you forgot something on your application, or spelled your name wrong.

[ChrWright]

Ray Ray could fix you up by Monday Paul. :grin:

[Leo G]

Or even forgot something as simple as your phone number. :laugh3:

They had 2 years to implement this, get the word out, hire certification personnel and train them. I think it was you Chris who brought this to our attention about 5 months before it was suppose to be initiated. At that time I couldn't even find a training center in CT. It was about 2 months later that they started to show up.

[Silvertree]

If push comes to shove I will just start work and follow the rule.

I'll have plenty of company.

It takes 90 days for approval with only 6 or 7 thousand apps in, how long will it take if 200,000 apps get sent in?

I am picturing a grey office with grey desks and 3 grey skinned people doing 2 applications an hour.

I'll bet I'm not too far off.

[Leo G]

Green skin.

[OGStilts]

It could take 2 to 6 months for approval if you forgot something on your application, or spelled your name wrong.

OK, if you spell your name wrong should we really be able to trust you to follow the regulations set forth? :rolleyes3:

I had a trainer tell me that as long as you have a copy of your application you sent in with a copy of your canceled check and a receipt from your training that you will be fine until you get your certificate in the mail.

He said that everyone is overreacting to this April 22nd deadline. The EPA isn't going to start magically laying down the law on April 23rd.

Want to have fun with some numbers...now these are strictly hear say but I heard the EPA will be happy if they get 45-50% of the firms to comply with the regulations. I also heard that in my area the EPA has 4 officers to cover an enforcement area of 5 states. So until the states start taking over their own enforcement...Rory can do all the snitching he wants, there still aren't enough officers to cover all the territory. :thumbsdown:

[Eieio]

I can believe you on the stats OG, this is why I am hiring extra snitch personnel.. I get the satisfaction of ratting out baby killers, make money on the fines and stimulate the economy with jobs.. and you guys said Obama's stimulus plans weren't working..

[Dusty]

I am picturing a grey office with grey desks and 3 grey skinned people doing 2 applications an hour.

I'll bet I'm not too far off.

I disagree. It is probably closer to 150 under qualified and over paid employees who spend most of their day visiting.