Helen Pastorino of Pertria Announces Robert Burba Certification for California's EPA RRP

April 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Los Gatos, CA April 23, 2011 -- Pertria is now eligible for California’s Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) and will become a Certified Firm under Subsection 745.89 of 40 CFR Part 745.

Robert Burba of Pertria completed the 8 hour certification course at the Tri County Division of the California Apartment Association conducted by Benchmark Environmental Engineering, one of only two certified trainers in California.

As of April 22, 2010 more stringent Federal requirements came into effect thru the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Final Rule. And although it is reported that enforcement of these new requirements will not begin until 2012 due to a nationwide shortage of Certified Trainers approved by the EPA to provide compliance training and certification, it is anticipated that the new RRP Rules will have a resounding effect on how owners, contractors and managers perform and manage all repairs and remodeling activities.

The RPP rule addresses activities that disturb lead based paint in target housing and child occupied facilities and requires the following:
•   Renovators must be certified through EPA RRP training
•   Firms must be certified through EPA RRP training
•   Lead-safe work practices must be observed during renovations
•   Pre-renovation education required in target housing and child occupied facilities

The lead safe work practices required under the new rule could drastically impact the amount of time and cost of any applicable renovations. Industry experts are predicting an average project cost increase of 25% in order to comply with the required construction and clean up practices.

Should these new rules be overlooked, the EPA has the authority to seek civil fines of up to $37,500 per offense. Knowing and willful violations of the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requirements could result in criminal fines of up to $37,500 per offense.

For more information on Pertria, Robert Burba, Pertria and California’s EPA RRP, check out www.pertria.com and www.epa.gov/region9/toxic/lead/

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Founded in 2004, Pertria advises clients throughout Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area in real estate residential sales, investment analysis and management, providing established relationships with financial advisors, tax professionals and legal counsel.