Environmental Programs for Business

The Environmental Programs Division of the Economic & Community Development Department supports the City’s Clean Water Program and has been certified by the California Environmental Protection Agency as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) - responsible for administering California safety and environmental compliance laws and regulations related to hazardous materials and hazardous wastes in Union City.

Environmental Programs performs compliance inspections for hazardous materials storage, use or handling, hazardous waste generation and waste treatment, underground storage tanks, aboveground petroleum storage, and accidental release prevention/Risk Management Plans for facilities in Union City, as well as facility Clean Water and Green Business, and environmental complaint investigations.

Businesses with chemical storage over the CUPA reporting thresholds of 55 gallons (liquids), 500 pounds (solids) or 200 cubic feet (gases) must complete and submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP). Facilities that do not store hazardous materials at or above the reporting thresholds, but who generate any quantity of hazardous waste must obtain a permit as a hazardous waste generator.

The purpose of the Environmental Programs Division is to protect public health and the environment from risks or adverse effects associated with the storage of hazardous materials, and to promote Clean Water Best Management Practices. Our program mandate is to promote consistency, consolidation and coordination in implementation of these important life/safety, pollution-prevention, and fair-business practice requirements.