12/1/2008

Dakota Auditor V.7.3 Provides Significant Regulatory Updates and New International Modules

Dakota Software Releases Auditor Reference Database Version 7.3 with Significant Regulatory Updates

September 15, 2008---Cleveland, OH--- Dakota announces the release of Auditor Reference Database Version 7.3. Regulatory changes in this update reflect shifting political winds. With a nod to the impact of climate change, EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) noting the Agency’s responsibility for developing and issuing a mandatory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reporting rule by mid 2009. A note has been added to Dakota Auditor’s Reference Library in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Module. This would be the first Federal rule specifically aimed at GHG emissions reporting. If you have reviewed Dakota’s GHG module and have preparations underway, you’re in a good stance. If not, call your Account Executive. The GHG module will facilitate any system for managing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainability initiatives.

Other winds of change regarding climate change include EPA’s proposed new requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act for underground injection of CO2, one of several options to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. The proposed requirements would include a new class of underground injection wells. You’ll find information in the Reference Library of the Water Quality Module and appropriate checklist and applicability questions for the proposed rule.

Feds follow up on States Commercial Learner’s Permit Standards for Trucking

If your company is trucking goods or you are driving personally on Interstate roads, you may be pleased to learn about the following program under review. A notice of proposed rulemaking for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Testing and Commercial Learner’s Permit Standard has been issued to require new federal minimum standards for States to issue commercial learner’s permits. A note has been added to the Dakota Auditor Reference Library and citations added to the appropriate checklists in the Transportation Module.

Courts Rule the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Has Fundamental Flaws

The United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has vacated the CAIR. Because of fundamental flaws, the Court states it cannot be considered an acceptable rule. Although the vacatur has not yet been published in the Federal Register, a summary note has been added to Dakota Auditor’s Reference Library and citations were added to appropriate applicability and checklist questions in the Air Quality Module.

Rural Pipelines Once Exempt from Regulations are Now Included

The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a final rule that states operators of all rural low-stress pipelines must now comply with reporting requirements of 49 CFR 195, Subpart B. Operators of large diameter, high risk, low-stress pipelines must now comply with ALL the 49 CFR 195 requirements. New applicability and compliance questions have been added to Dakota Auditor’s Pipeline Safety Module.

NEW International Modules

Dakota’s International Protocol collection, authored by ENHESA-EPC, now includes Germany-Federal which is available in a dual language English and German version. This release also includes an updated version of Belgium-Flanders.