BLOG
Scholarships Available

March 27, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

There are excellent opportunities available for the 2017-2018 academic year! These scholarship programs support continued education in environmental fields in the New England region.

The LSP Association Scholarship Fund provides a minimum of two $5,000 scholarships each year to qualified individuals interested in pursuing a major that is consistent with becoming an LSP or Environmental Professional. These scholarships are available to LSP Association members and members of their immediate families enrolled in a degree program at an accredited New England college or university, and/or to qualified Massachusetts residents who are enrolled in a public or private Massachusetts college or university. The application deadline for 2017-2018 academic year scholarships is April 14, 2017. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please download the detailed information and application forms.

Read More

LSPA March 2017 Newsletter

March 22, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

LSPA's March 2017 Member Newsletter has been published! Table of Contents is listed below. Please log in to your account and visit Member Materials to view the full newsletter.

In this Issue....

Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program 2017

March 20, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

Apply by June 30, 2017 for MassDEP's FY 2017 Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program
 
MassDEP's Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) is sponsoring a Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program to further promote cleanup approaches that consider all the environmental effects of assessing and remediating contaminated sites. MassDEP will recognize the person(s), entity, or project that demonstrates professional performance in the promotion, development, evaluation and implementation of activities intended to reduce the net environmental footprint of site assessment and remediation conducted in accordance with the MCP. 
Eligibility: 
  • Any response action submittal completed in accordance with applicable requirements of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) in consideration of the "Greener Cleanup" elements prescribed at 310 CMR 40.0191 and, as applicable, at 310 CMR 40.0858. 
  • Any response action completed between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.  
Submission for selection must be received by MassDEP no later than June 30, 2017
  • Nominate yourself or a colleague by emailing Thomas Potter and/or Susan Fessenden. 
    • Include: Release Tracking Number (RTN), submittal type/name, submittal date.
  • MassDEP will also independently review Response Action submittals 
For more details, contact Thomas M. Potter, LEED Green Assoc.® | Chief, Clean Energy Development Coordinator, MassDEP | Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, 617.292.5628, [email protected].
 
Climate & Clean Energy on the web: Climate & Clean Energy | MassDEP
LSPA Presents March Compliance Tip

March 16, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

March 16, 2017
The LSPA presented the following monthly compliance tip on March 16, 2017. 

“Greener Cleanup evaluations” or considerations are not only called out in the MCP under Phase III (Detailed Evaluation Criteria for selecting a comprehensive remedy at 310 CMR 40.0858[4][c]), but also under Response Action Performance Standard (RAPS) at 310 CMR 40.0191(3)(e). 
 
Therefore, Greener Cleanup practices should be considered in all MCP Phases, except during time critical responses (e.g., “2-hour” and “72-hour” reportable conditions). MassDEP provides assistance in the Greener Cleanups Guidance, WSC #14 – 150 (October 2014).

Click here to view all published compliance tips. This document is also posted in the Members Only section of the website under Technical Resources.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Remediation General Permit

March 15, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Remediation General Permit
Signed by EPA and MassDEP

By: Isaac Anderson, Project Manager, Cooperstown Environmental and LSPA Technical Practices Committee Member

Read More

21J Fund: A Funding Crisis and How You Can Help

March 13, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

 
An important funding mechanism for underground storage tank clean-ups in Massachusetts is in jeopardy and your assistance is needed.
 
The Massachusetts Underground Storage Tank (UST) Petroleum Product Cleanup Fund (commonly referred to as the 21J Fund) was created in 1991 to prevent the need for environmental cleanup actions through encouraging UST maintenance and compliance, and to expedite environmental cleanup actions by providing partial reimbursement to owners or operators of UST systems for costs, expenses and other obligations incurred as a result of releases of petroleum products from UST systems. 
 
Due to a current state budget deficit, the fund was reduced in 2017 and now, an approximate $6 million deficit in unpaid claims (claims processed and approved but unable to be paid) is projected for the end of FY 2017. To further compound this problem, the Governor's FY 2018 budget recommendation only includes $6 million for the 21J Fund. This would only be enough to fund the projected FY 2017 deficit.  
 
How You Can Help:  Please, reach out to your state senator and state representative to let them know the importance of providing adequate and predictable funding for the UST Cleanup Fund. You can identify your legislator using this link.
 
Click here to learn more.
Do You Have Sites Where Homeowners Have Struggled with Cleanup Costs From Heating Oil Spills?

March 10, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

The LSPA's Legislative Committee has drafted legislation which would require insurers to provide coverage for releases from above ground residential heating oil storage tanks. Currently, insurers are only required to make coverage available upon request; they do not have to inform their customers that this coverage is available. The bill has been assigned Senate #534, but we still need your help to ensure that the bill becomes a law. 
 
We are seeking case studies and contact information for homeowners who were denied insurance coverage due to pollution exclusions, were burdened by the costs of a release at their home, and are willing to share their stories in hopes of preventing similar hardships for other homeowners in the future. Such stories are critical to gaining legislative support and getting the bill passed into law.  

How You Can Help: Do you know any homeowners who may be willing to share their experiences with the LSPA? If so, please contact a Co-Chair of the LSPA's Legislative Committee, Dot McGlincy or Lauren Konetzny. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Click here for more information on why this bill is so important.  
American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists Offers Certification in Hazardous Waste Management and Site Remediation

March 08, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

The links below provide information on eligibility requirements, specialty certifications, the application package, and who to contact for more information. 
To learn more about the Academy:  http://www.aaees.org/
For general membership and certification information:  http://www.aaees.org/membership.php

 

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's DRAFT Fact Sheet Guidance on Sampling and Analysis for PFAS at Disposal Sites Regulated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan

March 08, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's DRAFT Fact Sheet Guidance on Sampling and Analysis for PFAS at Disposal Sites Regulated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
As the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (together, PFAS) become more commonly identified and sampled at MCP sites, LSPs and other practitioners need guidance on sampling protocols, analytical methods, and reporting limits. MassDEP's draft guidance begins to address these issues. LSPA comments are embedded in the draft fact sheet.  
4th Annual Golf Tournament Save the Date

February 21, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

LSP Association Scholarship Fund 

4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Please join us on Wednesday, June 14 for the 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Highfields Golf Course! Golfer registration includes lunch on course, drink ticket and Highfields grilled dinner at reception. Last year's tournament was a huge success and this year is shaping up to be even better!  
 
Save the Date
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location
 : Highfields Golf Course, 42 Magill Drive, Grafton - Directions
Event Schedule: 9:00 AM Registration
                             10:00 AM Shotgun Start:  
                             2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Reception, Raffle and Awards
LSPA Presents to Massachusetts Association of Health Boards

February 20, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

LSPA Presents to Massachusetts Association of Health Boards

For the second year in a row, representatives of the LSPA presented a workshop at the annual training conference of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB). This conference is specifically targeted to elected and appointed Board of Health members in Massachusetts. Many health agents and public health nurses also attend.

On November 5, 2016, and again on November 12, 2016, the LSPA program, “Case Study of a Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup” was delivered in Taunton and Marlborough, respectively, as part of the Community and Environmental Health section of the conference. Presenters for the LSPA were Cosmo Gallinaro, LSP, LSPA Board Member, and Isaac Anderson, former Chair of the Technical Practices Committee (Nov. 5th), and Mike Penzo, LSP, LSPA President and Marilyn Wade, LSP, LSPA President Elect (Nov. 12th). Each session drew about a dozen engaged registrants with real, immediate issues and concerns.

Read More

LSPA Unveils February's Compliance Tip of the Month

February 17, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

February 9, 2017
The LSPA unveiled the following monthly compliance tip on February 9, 2017. 

"When to check the “orders, permits, and approvals” box in the "Required Attachment and Submittals Section" of a BWSC transmittal form? 

Read More

LSPA Homeowner Oil Proposal

February 07, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

Thank you to Paul Locke and the MassDEP for posting this video on LinkedIn today. The LSPA looks forward to providing updates as the legislation progresses through the committee process.

Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee on Thursday, January 26, 2017

January 21, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

There will be a meeting of the Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee on Thursday, January 26, 2017, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm at MassDEP’s Boston Office, One Winter Street, 2nd floor conference rooms. 

The agenda topics include:

Read More

2017 Soils Conference Call for Abstracts

January 15, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog


ANNUAL EAST COAST CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
33rd Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy
October 16-19, 2017
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
 
 
The Annual Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy call for abstracts. Please click here to submit. Deadline is February 3.
The conference attracts 600-800 attendees annually which includes a wide variety of representation from state and federal agencies, military, industry (including railroad, petroleum, transportation, and utilities), the environmental engineering and consulting community, and academia. This year, the conference will be in its 33rd year!
 
Topics of Special Interest for 2017:
Climate Change
Environmental Justice
Fuel Transportation Risks
Green and Sustainable Remediation Projects
Impacts of Biofuels in Groundwater
In-Situ Chemical Oxidation
PFAS (Poly & Perfluoroalkyl Substances)
Renewable Energy
Risk Communication Principles and Practice
For more information, please visit www.AEHSfoundation.org.
January Membership Meeting

January 13, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

Thank you to everyone who helped make last night’s Membership Meeting a success:

  • Our very generous sponsors: Clean Earth Inc., Test America and Regenesis. Please take a moment to check out their websites. We appreciate their participation and look forward to continued collaboration.

                          

Read More

Update on EPA's Remediation General Permit

January 09, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

By: Isaac Anderson, Project Manager, Cooperstown Environmental and LSPA Technical Practices Committee Member

Many of you know that the 2010 Remediation General Permit (RGP), issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 (EPA) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), expired in September 2015. As noted in the LSPA email blast sent on September 15, 2016, the Draft RGP was published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2016, and EPA accepted public comments until September 19, 2016. What many of you are left wondering is, what happens next, and what should you do in the interim if you have a project that requires coverage under the RGP before the new RGP is available?

Read More

Thanks Young Professionals for Hosting Trivia Night!

January 05, 2017 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

The LSPA Young Professionals hosted a successful networking and trivia night at Lowell Beerworks on December 7, 2016. Six teams competed in general knowledge trivia for prizes. The first place team, comprised of Eric Andrews, Amanda Cantara, Ryan Farrell, Kate Hanrahan, and Michael Penzo, won by a large margin. A tense tie-breaker decided the second and third place teams.

A special thanks to LSPA Platinum sponsor, Alpha Analytical, for providing prizes to the top three teams and also offering extra prizes for bonus questions!

Read More

Happy New Year, and a Look Back at 2016

December 30, 2016 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

With the support and participation of over 800 members, and generous corporate and event sponsors, 
the LSPA was able to accomplish a great deal in 2016. Some highlights include:

Read More

BWSC Greener Cleanups Workgroup Meeting

December 12, 2016 - POSTED BY Kristi Lefebvre POSTED IN Blog

There will be a BWSC Greener Cleanups Workgroup Meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, Conference room A-2212 (click here for directions). The preliminary agenda will include a presentation/discussion of the following:  

1.       Clean Energy Legislative & Regulatory Updates 

Read More

Page 8 of 12
<< first < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > last >>