5/15/2009

Dakota Releases Auditor Reference Database Version: 7.5 with Regulatory Updates and New International Protocols

May 15, 2009---Rochester, NY--- Dakota announces the release of Dakota Auditor Reference Database Version 7.5.

Dakota Auditor Reference Database Version 7.5 includes the following regulatory changes:

Air Quality

EPA has taken the first step toward regulating greenhouse gases (GHG) with its proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting rule. The rule applies to fossil fuel suppliers, industrial gas suppliers and facilities that directly emit GHGs. EPA also proposed to revise existing mobile source regulations to require manufacturers of vehicles and engines to report GHG emissions under the existing reporting framework for EPA's long-established criteria pollutant emissions control programs and vehicle fuel economy testing program.

Significantly, the proposed rule would not require control of GHGs; it would only require that sources above certain threshold levels monitor and report emissions. The intent of the proposed rule is to collect accurate and comprehensive emissions data to inform future policy decisions.

Abridged Protocols

Dakota Auditor V. 7.5 now includes an abridged protocol for "Hand and Portable Power Tools" in the Equipment Safeguards Module. Abridged Protocols are already available in the Water Quality, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Worker Safety modules and in the Lockout/Tagout and Stairs, Ladders and Scaffolds topics of Equipment Safeguards. The Abridged checklist questions highlight key regulatory requirements for the major topics of a module. These abridged checklists can be used in conjunction with the detailed questions to tailor your audit protocol to your experience level, the nature of the facility and the relative importance of the regulatory topics to fine tune the level of coverage for each audit.

Dakota's International Protocol collection, authored by ENHESA-EPC, now includes the following updated protocols:

• Argentina
• Brazil - Rio
• Canada - Ontario
• China - Shanghai
• China - Jiangsu
• Germany - Bavaria (Dual Language Format)
• Hungary
• India - Karnataka
• India - National
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom - England