V-tech’s team of professionals protects our clients against liability by inspecting the property for signs of contamination, determining past activities at the property through historical records, and confirming the Property’s status via state and federal databases.
V-tech Environmental Services
1510 Buddy Holly Ave., Lubbock, Texas 79401 • Tel: (806) 748-1700 • Fax: (806) 748-5012 • Email: info@v-teches.com
Environmental Site Assessments
When Do I Need A Phase I ESA?
Prospective property purchasers, banks, realtors, and property owners often request Phase I ESAs for common reasons:
- Purchase of real property by a person or entity not previously on title.
- Contemplation by a new lender to provide a loan on the subject real estate.
- Partnership buyout or principal redistribution of ownership.
- Application to a public agency for change of use or other discretionary land use permit.
- Existing property owner’s desire to understand toxic history of the property.
- Compulsion by a regulatory agency who suspects toxic conditions on the site.
- Divestiture of properties
What Type of Phase I ESA Do I Need?
Business Risk Phase I ESA
A Phase I ESA is an investigation and subsequent report prepared for a real estate transaction which identifies potential or existing environmental contamination. The analysis, often called a Phase I ESA, typically addresses both the underlying land as well as physical improvements to the property. A Business Risk Phase I is not as comprehensive as an AAI-Compliant Site Assessment.
All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI)
Under the 2002 Small Business Liability and Brownfields Revitalization Act, Congress ordered the U.S. EPA to codify the first federal environmental site assessment rule in history to address each of ten steps that must be satisfied prior to a property purchase to qualify a landowner for liability protection under CERCLA.
Effective November 1, 2006, a property purchaser must comply with either the federal rule entitled “Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries” (40 CFR Part 312) or ASTM’s revised Phase I environmental site assessment standard (ASTM E 1527-05) to qualify as an innocent landowner, contiguous property owner or bona fide prospective purchaser under CERCLA.
Business Risk vs. AAI
| Features Offered | Business Risk Phase I | AAI |
|---|---|---|
| Site Inspection by Environmental Professional |  |
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| Radius Report with Aerial Photos | |
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| Comprehensive Property History | |
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| State and Federal Database Search | |
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| CERCLA Liability Protection |  |
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| Environmental Lien Search | |
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| Local and Tribal Database Search | |
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