On Tuesday, September 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued two enforcement alerts addressing regulatory requirements and associated compliance issues at municipal solid waste landfills (MSW landfills). The alerts address Clean Air Act requirements that control the release of landfill gases (LFG), particularly methane, from MSW landfills.
These reminders represent compliance issues that EPA has flagged during enforcement actions. EPA thought they were important enough to publish these alerts for the benefit of landfill OM&M; expect state and local agencies to focus on these during their regulatory inspections.
The alerts provide an overview of the Clean Air Act regulatory requirements related to landfill air emissions and aim to help landfill owners, operators, and contractors comply with the law and take the necessary steps to avoid potential EPA enforcement actions.
The first enforcement alert, “EPA Investigations Find Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Operators are Failing to Properly Conduct Compliant Monitoring and Maintenance of Gas Collection and Control System,” is intended to remind MSW landfill owners, operators, and their consultants to conduct routine monitoring and maintenance of gas collection systems to ensure all landfill emissions are being properly captured and controlled.
The second enforcement alert, “MSW Landfill Operators Fail to Include Wastes from Total Degradable Waste-in-Place and Properly Sample Landfill Gas, Resulting in Underreported Emissions,” is intended to remind MSW landfill operators, owners, and their consultants to identify and document nondegradable wastes excluded in calculations properly and to collect representative LFG samples for non-methane organic compounds analysis and emission calculations.
If you are operating a landfill that gets an EPA Section 114 request for data, is having or has had an EPA inspection, or has received an EPA NOV, you may want to contact the compliance experts at SCS Engineers to seek advice on EPA’s perspective on rule history, interpretation, and assist how best to prevent or defend against enforcement actions.
Additional Resources
Based on your feedback, SCS is excited to thank you for the 2024 CX Award. It is a pleasure and privilege to help you with your environmental needs. At SCS Engineers, we recognize that a substantial part of the value we deliver is how well we serve our clients. To that end, we have in place several long-standing programs to make it easy for you to reach us, find help, and provide feedback.
Reach Out Toll-Free +1 (800) 767-4727
Our receptionists answer calls between 8:30 am ET through 5:00 pm PT. We promptly answer voicemails and messages sent to our general email () 24/7.
Client Feedback Tool
SCS solicits feedback from clients during ongoing projects via short (2-3 minute) surveys using our electronic Client Feedback Tool (CFT). These surveys are designed to ensure we are on track to deliver project solutions to your satisfaction. Surveys are less than ten questions, and space is available for additional comments. Your Project Manager will work to establish a convenient schedule for you if you’d like to participate. This is not a marketing survey. It is a way to check in with you regularly to ensure your project is on track, in addition to regular communications with your Project Manager. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Quality Management
SCS maintains a stringent, comprehensive Quality Management program. Quality Management ensures that SCS staff professionals, scientists, technologists, and field technicians, including administrators and subcontractors, have the necessary training, tools, and skills to employ sound, ethical processes on every environmental solution.
Our robust program includes apps built by SCS for our staff to continuously improve our services and communications. SCS staff have access to thousands of resources at the touch of a button, including libraries, compliance documents, safety information, training, and our National Experts and specialists nationwide to maintain the highest level of quality in our products and services. We make many of our resources available on our website, too.
The Website
SCS’s website is a rich resource for our clients and visitors. The site has two primary filters: one to find local staff with specific environmental experience. The second is a search filter that results after a search to help you target our resources, available on demand. Service descriptions, articles, whitepapers, blogs, events, and videos can be resources. Each page enables you to print or share the resource privately with others or on social media.
Free Environmental Educational Videos
The SCS Engineers Learning Center contains recorded open forums where participants ask questions throughout. The video recordings are available in our Learning Center to watch at your convenience. These are educational videos, not sales pitches, as we share our experience and expertise in environmental fields with individuals and businesses to enhance a clearer understanding of modern environmental solutions and technologies available.
SCS Engineers is excited to announce that Vice President Sowmya Bulusu, who currently runs our Atlanta, Georgia office, is replacing Dan Cooper as the Solid Waste Director for the Southeast US as Dan takes on his new role leading the firm’s Solid Waste Management practice.
Sowmya Bulusu, PE, is a registered professional and geo-environmental engineer with two decades of experience as a project manager and design engineer for numerous landfills, environmental and civil engineering projects. Her work focuses on waste disposal facilities, landfill gas collection operations, and utilization systems, including siting, design, permitting, construction, and monitoring and maintenance. Sowmya’s expertise includes air permitting and compliance, renewable energy projects, and construction quality management to provide successful turn-key solutions.
When asked about her promotion, Sowmya says, “My career in solid waste management has provided me with valuable experience in addressing complex challenges. I am grateful for the mentorship I have received at SCS, which has contributed significantly to my professional development. As a leader in this role, I am eager to mentor, guide, and inspire my team to achieve new levels of excellence.”
Sowmya also serves on the SCS Sustainability Steering Committee – to help make us all operate cleaner and greener and as the Director of the SWANA Georgia Chapter. She earned her Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering and her Master of Science in Geo-environmental Engineering.
She is a disciplined leader who shares what she learns with her colleagues and others, including her culture as a professional Kuchipudi dancer. This major classical dance involves extensive stage movements and exacting footwork. From age 7, she practiced five days a week for up to three hours daily. Sowmya says the regimen and dance tours throughout India and the US taught her valuable skills that she uses today: time management, discipline, responsibility, and cooperation.
Business Unit Director Carlo Lebron says, “I am very excited for Sowmya to take the reins of the solid waste program and build upon Dan Cooper’s legacy. We have full confidence in her ability to lead and look forward to the new levels to which she will take our program.”
Related Resources:
Environmental professionals work to create more sustainable solutions, prevent pollution and accidents, and mitigate former unusable resources. As long as the world continues to consume, environmental consultants and engineers are going to be very valuable for a wide range of industries. Be at the heart of this industry working at SCS Engineers.
The California State Water Resource Control Board ordered the closure of single-walled underground storage tank systems and single-walled product piping at all facilities. The deadline to remove all single-walled underground storage tanks and single-walled piping is December 31, 2025.
Underground storage tanks recognized as out of compliance will be subject to enforcement actions beginning January 1, 2026.
Grants and loans may be available to eligible small business owners who want to remove, replace, or upgrade USTs.
The professionals at SCS Engineers are ready to assist with closing and removing underground storage tanks. SCS Engineers provides turnkey services, including licensed tank removal contractors, consulting services for agency compliance, and California-certified analytical testing laboratories.
SCS’s National UST Practice Covers:
Contact a UST professional at SCS Engineers today at ; for service in California, click here.
For information on the EPA Federal program, click here.
Additional California Code Information:
Health and Safety Code – HSC
DIVISION 20. MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY PROVISIONS [24000 – 26275] ( Division 20 enacted by Stats. 1939, Ch. 60. )
CHAPTER 6.7. Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances [25280 – 25299.8] ( Chapter 6.7 added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1046, Sec. 3. )
25292.05.
(a) On or before December 31, 2025, the owner or operator of an underground storage tank shall permanently close that underground storage tank in accordance with Section 25298 and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section, if the underground storage tank meets either of the following conditions:
(1) The underground storage tank is designed and constructed in accordance with paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 25291 and does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 25291.
(2) The underground storage tank was installed on or before January 1, 1984, and does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 25291.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the board may adopt regulations to require the owner or operator of an underground storage tank to permanently close that underground storage tank before December 31, 2025, in accordance with Section 25298 and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section, if the underground storage tank meets the conditions specified in either paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) and the underground storage tank poses a high threat to water quality or public health. The board shall consult with stakeholders before adopting regulations pursuant to this subdivision.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 547, Sec. 1. (SB 445) Effective September 25, 2014.)
SCS Engineers is excited to announce the appointment of Vice President Jeffrey J. Grill as the new Business Unit Director of SCS Energy. SCS Directors are responsible for geographic business areas or, in this case, a specialty practice in renewable energy under the brand SCS Energy.
Jeff joined SCS Energy in 2019, leading the process engineering team responsible for the design of biogas to renewable natural gas & energy facilities. He has over 20 years of experience in energy and renewable natural gas (RNG) project development. His background is in chemical process engineering and a wide array of engineering and management services, from conceptual to detailed design and implementation. His core values are quality, consistency, and engineering excellence.
Jeff earned multiple B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He has professional affiliations and sits on committees with the Renewable Natural Gas Coalition and the American Biogas Council.
During his career, he has built an execution portfolio of 19 patents and applications and designed over 50 Renewable Natural Gas processing plants with a combined designed production capacity equivalent to 16% of California’s 2021 residential natural gas consumption. That is equivalent to almost one and a half percent of the U.S. residential natural gas consumption, equating to a reduction of over 4.1 million tons of CO2 GHG emissions or 2.1 million tons of coal burned annually. The capacity of the landfill gas to pipeline quality RNG projects that Jeff has designed or supervised totals over 335 MMCFD for landfill gas to RNG and over 34 MMCFD for dairy digester and municipal WWTP gas to RNG.
His work at SCS Energy helps many clients and communities, especially those considering landfill gas to RNG to lower carbon footprints and create renewable energy or renewable fuels. Built on one of the U.S.’s longest and most successful biogas practices in North America, SCS Energy designs, constructs, and operates more landfill gas and digester gas to energy facilities than any other engineering firm in the nation. Its biogas and biomass experts provide turn-key services for RNG plants using byproducts from dairy, swine, or poultry farms into carbon-negative renewable energy.
“Jeff’s colleagues and clients are excited to see him take leadership of SCS Energy from Bob Viers, who will now serve in a leadership advisory role. SCS clients attribute their high-quality results to SCS Energy’s industry-leading expertise in biogas gas utilization, combined with the firm’s wealth of knowledge in solid waste management and regulatory compliance,” stated SCS CEO Doug Doerr.
“Our team is a powerhouse of exceptional talent, filled with professionals whose dedication, passion, and pursuit of excellence leave me in awe. Their unwavering commitment to one another and our collective success is inspiring and humbling. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them and deeply appreciate the legacy of Jeff Pierce and Bob Viers,” stated Jeffrey Grill.
Learn More About Biogas and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG):
On July 16, 2024, the Volusia County Council approved a contract with SCS Engineers to develop a new 271-acre Class I landfill. The landfill, located at the southeast expansion area (SEA) of the Tomoka Farms Road Landfill, is part of the County’s long-term plan to meet its Class I sanitary solid waste disposal needs for over a century. The Public Works will oversee the project, Solid Waste Division, under the guidance of the County’s Project Manager.
SCS Engineers will provide a range of engineering services, including developing a solid waste permit application package for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. They will design the landfill gas collection and capture system, supporting infrastructure, geotechnical needs, and leachate collection to protect groundwater and soil. Additionally, they will provide support services for selecting a construction contractor for the first 20-acre disposal cell at the new landfill.
SCS will collaborate with the County to identify any constraints that may impact the cost or constructability of future projects. They will also explore potential opportunities associated with this project to ensure the design complements and maximizes future development opportunities.
Landfills are complex systems integrating liquid and gas management systems to protect the environment. Volusia County selected SCS Engineers for their expertise in designing modern landfills that adhere to strict state and federal regulatory and quality control guidelines. The firm’s understanding of how current landfill operations interrelate with the development of SEA was a key factor in their selection.
Modern landfills are ecosystems that isolate waste from surrounding environments, such as groundwater, air, and rain. While the County’s reuse, recycling, and organics management programs significantly reduce waste in landfills, the SEA development provides an essential service that will continue uninterrupted as communities transition to even more sustainable programs and infrastructure to reuse landfill gas and other byproducts.
Vice President Dan Cooper, P.E., expressed his gratitude, stating, “SCS is privileged that Volusia County has entrusted us as a partner to sustainably engineer SEA’s safe and efficient development. We’re honored to assist the Solid Waste Division in their mission to support the citizens and the environment.”
Additional Resources:
The Association for Environmental Health and Soils (AEHS) is hosting the 40th Annual International (East Coast) Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy in Amherst, Massachusetts, October 21-24, 2024. The AEHS conference attracts participants from government agencies, environmental engineering firms, consulting companies, industry, and academia and serves as a networking hub for various associations. The program features technical workshops, presentation sessions, and an exhibit hall. It also offers continuing education credits (please check with your specific board for applicability). SCS recommends attending this conference for its valuable insights and networking opportunities.
SCS Engineers and a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) state geologist presented a webinar as part of the Pennsylvania Council of Professional Geologists (PCPG) educational series. The educational webinar is timely as Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed Senate Bill 831 into law, creating a regulatory framework for the Commonwealth’s carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS).
The webinar, titled CCUS in the US and a Glimpse into What is Possible in Pennsylvania, Part I, includes SCS geologists from across the nation providing a technical overview of CCUS project planning, permitting, operations, and closure referencing current, active Class VI projects based on case studies. The webinar is available for a nominal fee on PCPG’s website, and professional credits (PDH or CEU) are available as allowed by your licensing state and entity.
The DCNR’s state geologist provides an overview of the CCUS work in Pennsylvania by DCNR for over 20 years, including coordinating with the Department of Energy, other states’ geological surveys, and public-private organizations to explore CCUS in the Commonwealth and neighboring states.
Questions and Follow-Up
During the live webinar, SCS received multiple inquiries from the audience, similar to our clients’ questions. We’ve created a separate video to answer them, which is available on the SCS website at the bottom of the carbon capture and DWI page. We hope you find the videos informative and valuable. Our geologists are passionate about their work and helping clients navigate regulations and implement sustainable projects.
SCS is planning Part 2 of the PCPG webinar series in Fall 2024. If there are topics you’d like to see covered during that webinar, please reach out to PA practice leader Christina Helms, PG, LSRP, at
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 831 and Other States
Our professionals continue to work on Class VI projects with multiple clients across the US where primacy has been granted, or states have regulations in place, including the outlook for CCUS in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 831 establishes the legal and regulatory framework for the Commonwealth’s potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS). SB831 provides “for the injection of carbon dioxide into an underground reservoir for the purpose of carbon sequestration, for the ownership of pore space in strata below surface lands and waters of the Commonwealth, for conveyance of the surface ownership of real property; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Hearing Board; and establishing the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fund.”
View a copy of the Bill here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?sYear=2023&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0831.
CCUS | CCS | Deep Well Educational Video Resources:
Published CCUS Resources:
SCS Engineers is excited to announce the appointment of two new National Market Leaders for the firm, set to take effect at the beginning of 2025. This strategic move follows the announcement of its new Executive Leadership Team in January 2024, marking another step in SCS’s ongoing commitment to growth. One SCS is how the firm works proactively as one team to leverage talent across the company, applying systems and processes locally that deliver the highest quality and value to clients.
Mike Miller will take the reins from Mike McLaughlin to lead the Environmental Services (ES) practice. Mike Miller has been with SCS for nearly 20 years, serving in various roles across the company. While most of his responsibilities have been with the Central Business Unit, where he served as the ES Leader and grew and led the Omaha and Des Moines offices, he has also served SCS as one of the National Experts for Environmental Due Diligence. Mike is a Project Director and was appointed as a Senior Vice President in November of 2023. Mike Miller will oversee the strategic direction, growth, and performance of the company’s ES market. Undoubtedly, he will continue to be fueled by his passion for engaging SCSers across the company with his One SCS spirit to provide exceptional service for clients.
Dan Cooper will lead SCS’s Solid Waste practice, taking over from Bob Gardner. Dan joined SCS in 2005 and has been an integral part of the Southeast Business Unit, most recently serving as their Solid Waste Leader. Under Dan’s leadership, the Southeast solid waste practice has grown by over 70% since 2019, when he took on his current position. Dan is a professional engineer in several states and serves SCS as a Project Director and Vice President. Dan, newly elected to SWANA’s Board of Directors, is the Region 5 Director for Florida and the Caribbean. Similarly to Mike, Dan will focus his efforts on the strategy, growth, and performance of the solid waste market for SCS with a heavy focus on enhancing our One SCS approach to serving clients.
SCS’s employee-owners and clients are deeply grateful to Mike McLaughlin and Bob Gardner, who have been instrumental in guiding the firm to its current success. Their dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on the organization, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their years of service.
Mike McLaughlin was appointed the firm’s first corporate ES Leader in 1993, following SCS’s adoption of a new strategic plan. He previously served as the Director of the Mid-Atlantic business unit. As ES Leader, he helped business units find needed resources from across the company to solve client challenges, and in 1997, was instrumental in establishing SCS’s National Partner/National Expert subject matter expert roles. Mike sought to identify industrial trends and position SCS to be successful as the firm’s services evolved over the years. He has been a key technical resource and a valued member of the SCS executive team, serving in numerous capacities, including Senior Vice President, Board member, and Corporate Secretary, among many others.
Mike McLaughlin is working closely with Mike Miller for the remainder of 2024 to transition the ES corporate role effective January 1, 2025. He will continue to serve SCS in various capacities beyond 2024 as he plans to continue working full-time after the transition.
In the Solid Waste practice, Bob Gardner 2024 will be his last year as a full-time employee and, as such, will transition the Solid Waste Leader role to Dan Cooper. Bob assumed the position from Jim Walsh when Jim was named SCS’s President in 2002, and he has provided tremendous leadership and guidance for the past 22 years. Before being named SW Leader, Bob established and led the Southeast Business Unit. Under Bob’s direction, SCS continues to be viewed as the world’s premier solid waste management services provider. Like Mike McLaughlin, Bob has mentored many people over the years and has served in many capacities, including Senior Vice President and Board Member.
Bob will work with Dan for the remainder of 2024 to transition his role. Beginning in 2025, Bob will transition to a part-time role but continue to be an asset for SCS, especially within the solid waste due diligence practice he is passionate about and one that brings tremendous value to clients.
Please join SCS in thanking Mike McLaughlin and Bob Gardner for their passion, commitment, and accomplishments to the environmental and waste industries that span decades, and congratulate Mike Miller and Dan Cooper as they move toward their new roles in 2025.
Additional Information:
About SCS Engineers:
SCS Engineers’ consultants, scientists, engineers, and contractors provide expertise in designing and implementing solid and hazardous waste management, biogas, RNG, carbon capture – reduction, measurement, air quality, greenhouse gas verification solutions, and land recycling, each compliant with the most rigorous regulations and standards. Our award-winning teams work with industries, manufacturers, developers, and municipalities to prevent, mitigate, and remediate environmental challenges while applying our knowledge of environmental regulatory systems and technologies. SCS professionals work effectively to shorten project timelines, stay on budget, and close gaps between sustainability goals and achievements so our clients can produce and deliver products and services more efficiently.
Jennifer Taylor has been promoted to Project Director at SCS Engineers. Her exceptional leadership skills have been instrumental in managing a multidisciplinary team and exceeding client expectations. In her new role, she will also oversee the liquids management team in KC, further expanding her leadership responsibilities.
Jenny’s passion for mentoring staff and building client relationships makes her a valuable asset to our team.
Outside work, she enjoys camping in southern Missouri and exploring the Ozark trails on ATVs with her family.
Congratulations, Jenny!
SCS is thrilled to announce the promotion of Morgan Sykes to the esteemed position of Senior Project Manager. Known for his exceptional engineering prowess and dedication to finding innovative solutions for complex projects, Morgan has been a valuable asset to our team since joining SCS in October 2021. His leadership on various engineering-heavy design projects, including transfer stations, has been instrumental in our continued success.
Not only is Morgan a skilled project manager, but he also excels as a mentor, guiding young engineers in the principles of civil engineering design. His diverse talents have made a significant impact on SCS, particularly in the Energy and Construction sectors.
Originally from a ranch in southern Colorado, Morgan’s journey led him to the Colorado School of Mines and eventually to his role as a City Engineer, where he met his wife Tess, a journalist covering City activities. Together, they are proud parents to three children and are currently immersed in planning their eldest’s wedding, attending swim meets, and cheering loudly at soccer games.
Please join us in congratulating Morgan on this well-deserved promotion. We look forward to witnessing his continued success and contributions to our organization.
Please contact SCS Engineers if you are interested in working with our clients to make the world safer and cleaner!
