The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) National Members elected James Law, PE, BCEE, and vice president of SCS Engineers, as ISWA’s new president. The election occurred as part of the ISWA General Assembly conducted before the 2024 ISWA World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Law will serve a 2-year term as ISWA President and be eligible for re-election for one additional term.
Law’s successful campaign platform resonated with ISWA’s National Members because he offers a vision for addressing the international implementation of circular economy principles, closure of open dumpsites and transition into sanitary landfills, and other relevant policy and technical initiatives in the broader solid waste management industry.
As Chair of the ISWA Landfill Working Group (WGL) and the Task Force on Closing Dumpsites Initiative, many countries learn about the key steps and economics of closing dumpsites, the climate benefits, and the pros and cons of biomining.
Law explains that since the operation of a dumpsite does not include the application of daily cover or waste compaction and also it does not have a bottom liner or gas and leachate collection system, the most common risks are groundwater contamination, fire hazards that could generate black carbon fume and toxic gases to impact the air quality and thus affect the public health in the immediate area or areas miles away in downwind direction.
The gas emissions from open dumpsites have a direct impact on climate change. Then, there are odor issues, either from the decomposed waste mass itself or from the leachate seep outbreaks located on the side slopes of a dumpsite. The leachate seeps will impact the surface water bodies, such as rivers and lakes nearby in the downstream direction, as well as the groundwater below the dumpsite.
Says Bob Dick, SCS Senior Vice President, and long-time ISWA Landfill Working Group Member, “I believe James’ election to President of ISWA is recognition of his passion for promoting a healthy environment and as an advocate for ISWA’s leadership in the field of global waste management and his demonstration of a high level of commitment for enhancing ISWA’s contributions in promoting the best waste management practices in all aspects of the solid waste industry.”
Doug Doerr, SCS Engineers CEO, states,
As SCS Engineers employee-owners, we are extremely proud of James’s contributions and accomplishments within the global waste management community and his dedication to ISWA for the past 16 years. His professionalism in serving as the Chair of ISWA’s Working Group on Landfills, his tenure as an ISWA Board Member representing Organizations, and the recognition he achieved upon being designated as an honorary member of ISWA during the 2023 World Congress in Muscat, Oman, point to his remarkable leadership capabilities.
About the International Solid Waste Association
ISWA’s governance and organizational structure is based on countries and National Member Organizations representing each country. For example, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) serves as the National Member of the United States within the association. ISWA Working Groups are the best opportunity for getting involved as ISWA Members benefit from the association’s global expert exchange with waste management experts worldwide.
On September 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $232 million in grant funding through EPA’s Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) program. This is the fourth wave of funding supported by the Administration’s Investing in America agenda to assess and clean up polluted brownfield sites across the country. The new grants will advance environmental justice and help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while spurring economic revitalization in underserved communities.
The Notices of Funding Opportunities and application information are posted on www.grants.gov/. Applications are due by November 14, 2024, via grants.gov.
Copies of the FY25 Brownfields Grants Guidelines and other application resources are available on the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources webpage.
The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization will host outreach webinars on September 19, 2024, and September 24, 2024, to explain the Narrative/Ranking criteria for interested applicants and to address commonly asked questions. Prior registration is not required. Link to join the Assessment Grants webinar on September 19 at 12:00 pm ET
Link to join the Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants webinar on September 24 at 12:00 pm ET
Read more on EPA’s Brownfields Program or contact your local Brownfields expert 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 participate in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering & STEM Career Fair on September 17, 2024. We’re looking for talented Engineering and STEM majors at all degree levels who want to explore summer internships, co-ops, or full-time opportunities after graduation. The career fair provides an excellent opportunity for students pursuing degrees in Engineering and STEM fields to learn about exciting career paths with SCS Engineers, where innovation meets environmental solutions.
Stop by our booth to meet with our team and discover how you can kick-start your career with a leader in environmental consulting! Click to learn more.
SCS Engineers is excited to participate in the ESSIE Evening with Industry, hosted by the University of Florida October 10th. This biannual event is a premier opportunity for students and alumni specializing in civil, coastal, and environmental engineering to connect with leading industry professionals. Whether you’re seeking an internship or employment, this event is tailored for those in the ESSIE disciplines, offering a focused platform to explore career opportunities and network with experts in the field. Don’t miss your chance to meet our team and learn how you can make an impact with SCS Engineers. Click to learn more!
Join SCS Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Engineering Career Fair on September 25, 2024 in . We’re excited to connect with students majoring in Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Conservation, and Mathematics. Visit our booth to explore exciting career opportunities and learn how you can contribute to impactful projects in the engineering and environmental sectors. Whether you’re looking for internships or full-time positions, our team is eager to discuss how your skills can align with SCS Engineers’ mission to provide sustainable solutions for our clients and communities.
Join SCS Engineers at the FAMU STEM Career Fair on September 24, 2024 at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, FL.! This exciting event features top-tier engineering students from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, alongside talented individuals from other science and technical majors at Florida State University, including IT, Computer Science, and more. It’s the perfect opportunity for organizations like SCS Engineers to connect with emerging talent in these dynamic fields. Don’t miss out on the chance to engage with the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers! Click to learn more!
A revision to AP-42 regarding Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills was finalized on August 15, 2024. AP-42 is the Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors guidance developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate air pollution emissions from various sources. EPA drafted new emission factors for the MSW Landfill portion of AP-42 on January 12, 2024 and offered a 60-day public comment period that ended March 12, 2024.
Highlights of this final action include:
For additional information, please contact SCS Engineers, or visit the EPA Air Emissions Factors and Quantification website.
