Phase 1 Site Assessments

Comprehensive Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for Property Transactions and Compliance

Premier Environmental provides Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) throughout North and South Carolina to help clients identify potential environmental liabilities before property acquisition, development, or financing.
Our assessments follow the ASTM E1527-21 Standard Practice and comply with the EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule — ensuring that you meet due-diligence requirements and protect your investment from unforeseen contamination risks or regulatory complications.

Why Phase 1 ESAs Are Important

Environmental contamination can significantly impact a property’s value, redevelopment potential, and compliance obligations.
Federal regulations require Phase I ESAs as part of the due-diligence process to establish “innocent landowner” protections under CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act).
Premier Environmental’s experienced environmental professionals conduct meticulous evaluations to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) and provide clear, actionable findings to support sound business decisions.

Assessment Scenarios
  • Commercial property acquisitions and real estate transactions.
  • Redevelopment or construction planning on previously developed sites.
  • Financing and lending requirements for banks and investment firms.
  • Property transfers for municipalities, schools, or healthcare organizations.
  • Environmental due-diligence for insurance and liability assessments.
Benefits At a Glance
  • Identifies potential environmental liabilities early in the transaction process
  • Ensures compliance with federal and lender due-diligence requirements
  • Protects against costly cleanup liabilities and regulatory actions
  • Supports confident, well-informed real estate decisions
  • Provides credible documentation for lenders, investors, and regulatory agencies
Our Approach
  • Conduct thorough reviews of historical property records, aerial photographs, and regulatory databases.
  • Perform detailed site reconnaissance to observe current conditions and potential contamination sources.
  • Interview owners, occupants, and local officials to obtain environmental background information.
  • Review surrounding property uses that could pose environmental risks to the subject site.
  • Compile findings into a comprehensive, defensible report with clear recommendations and next steps.
why choose Premier Environmental?
  • Conducted by qualified environmental professionals familiar with federal AAI and ASTM E1527-21 standards.
  • Over a decade of experience in environmental consulting and field investigation.
  • Local expertise in SCDHEC and NC DHHS regulatory environments.
  • Transparent, timely reporting with clear communication throughout the process.
  • Integration with Phase II Environmental Assessments, remediation, and consulting if additional work is needed.