Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 SWANA North Carolina Chapter Fall Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina. The agenda for this event is robust with programming including a tour of the new Hanover Landfill, sessions on a range of the most prevalent topics in solid waste, young professional events, Garby award presentations, and ample networking opportunities. Seize this opportunity to spend a week with your fellow SWANA colleagues to increase your understanding of the industry and stay informed on the latest developments.
Act now and take advantage of early registration discounts and room blocks. Register for the NC SWANA 2024 Fall Conference today!
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:
On July 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to designate five chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the nation’s chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If EPA finalizes these designations as proposed, the agency would immediately move forward with the risk evaluation process. According to the current Administration this step is consistent with a commitment to understand and address environmental and toxic exposures to ensure that every community has access to clean air and water while bolstering efforts to make progress on delivering environmental justice and tackling plastic pollution.
The five chemical substances EPA is proposing to designate as High-Priority Substances are:
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed designations for 90 days after publication via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0601 at the Regulations.gov page. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, supporting documents will also be available in the docket.
Chemicals Proposed as High-Priority Substances for Risk Evaluation
All five chemicals were selected from the 2014 TSCA Work Plan, which is a list of chemicals identified by EPA for further assessment based on their hazards and potential for exposure. In proposing these five chemical substances as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation, EPA had to consider the chemicals’ conditions of use and production volume or changes in conditions of use and production volume over time, impacts to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations including children and workers, and the chemicals’ potential hazards and exposures. EPA also considered more specific criteria such as the chemical’s bioaccumulation and environmental persistence and whether the chemical is stored near significant sources of drinking water.
Vinyl chloride is used primarily in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic resins, and other chemicals. Many of these materials are used for pipes and insulating materials. This chemical was also involved in the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen and can cause liver, brain, and lung cancer in exposed workers. Short-term exposure to vinyl chloride can also result in other health effects such as dizziness, nausea, and eye and skin irritation. Vinyl chloride exposure can also damage genetic material in cells, which can lead to numerous adverse health effects. In the 1970s, the White House Council on Environmental Quality and EPA officials raised serious concerns about the health impacts of vinyl chloride as an example when the Nixon Administration asked Congress to write a law to ensure chemicals were made and used safely, which led to passage of the “original” TSCA in 1976.
Acetaldehyde is used primarily in the manufacturing and processing of adhesives, petrochemicals, plastic and other chemicals, as well as intermediates for products such as packaging and construction materials. Acetaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. Specifically, animal studies have shown that exposure to acetaldehyde can result in the formation of nasal and laryngeal tumors. Short-term exposure can also result in health effects such as irritation of the respiratory system and reduced heart function. Data further shows that acetaldehyde exposure can damage genetic material in cells, potentially leading to numerous adverse health effects.
Acrylonitrile is used primarily in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials, paints, petrochemicals, and other chemicals. Acrylonitrile is a probable human carcinogen and can cause lung and brain cancer in exposed workers. Short-term exposure to acrylonitrile can also result in health effects such as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Long-term exposure can result in reproductive effects such as reduced sperm count and developmental effects such as slowed fetal growth.
Benzenamine is used in the manufacturing and processing of dyes and pigments, petrochemicals, plastics, resins, and other chemicals. Benzenamine is a probable human carcinogen and can cause bladder tumors and pancreatic cancer in workers. Long-term exposure to benzenamine can result in a range of adverse health effects such as difficulty in breathing, tumor growth in the spleen, and possible reductions in fetal viability.
MBOCA is used in the manufacturing and processing of rubbers, plastics, resins, and other chemicals. MBOCA is a probable human carcinogen. Specifically, animal studies have shown that exposure to MBOCA can cause liver and urinary bladder cancer. Short-term exposure to MBOCA can result in eye and skin irritation. Data further demonstrates that MBOCA exposure can damage genetic material in cells, potentially leading to numerous adverse health effects.
EPA Prioritization Process
Prioritization is the first step under EPA’s authority to regulate existing chemicals currently on the market and in use. EPA’s proposed designations are not themselves a finding of risk. If EPA finalizes these designations, the agency will initiate risk evaluations for these chemicals to determine whether they present an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment under the TSCA conditions of use (the way the chemical is made and used), which the agency is required to complete within 3-3.5 years. If at the end of the risk evaluation process EPA determines that a chemical presents an unreasonable risk to health or the environment, the agency must begin the risk management process to take action to eliminate these unreasonable risks.
EPA began the process of prioritizing these five chemicals in December 2023 and also announced that it expects to initiate prioritization on five chemicals every year, which will create a sustainable and effective pace for risk evaluations. According to EPA, the agency has continued to improve the prioritization process by investing in cutting-edge software to review more information earlier in prioritization. EPA has also implemented improvements to its systematic review approaches as recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) by incorporating additional data sources such as assessments published by other government agencies to identify potential hazards and exposures, clarifying terminology to increase transparency in the systematic review process, and presenting interactive literature inventory trees and evidence maps to better depict data sources containing potentially relevant information.
EPA has conducted a preliminary screening and technical review of large data sets to more efficiently identify relevant information for prioritization and risk evaluation and can easily flag information that may be useful to retrieve later in the risk evaluation process. As a result, EPA now has a head start on risk evaluations. At this proposed designation stage, EPA has a much fuller understanding of how these chemicals behave in the environment and their potential hazards and exposures than it had at this point in the process in the previous prioritization cycle conducted in 2019. That has also enabled EPA to make considerably more information available to the public a year earlier than occurred for the first 30 chemicals designated for risk evaluation under TSCA. The public will be able to see which studies and what information EPA considered in its screening review for proposed designation and submit any additional information they would like EPA to consider via public comment.
Additional Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 SDHF Annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference in San Diego, CA on September 10th, 2024. The San Diego Housing Federation’s annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference brings together more than 600 developers, builders, architects, lenders, property managers, service providers, elected and agency officials and staff, community, and business leaders to share innovative approaches to affordable housing, community, and economic development. We are a proud sponsor of the event and we look forward to seeing you there. Follow the link to find more information about the conference: https://www.housingsandiego.org/events-2/2024-affordable-housing-amp-community-development-conference
You can register to attend using the below link: https://whova.com/portal/registration/sdhfa_202410/?preview_image=1&referral=social_post_registration
Why Are So Many Municipalities Interesting in Developing a Composting Program?
The composting industry is experiencing significant growth and evolution to help reduce the amount of organic waste placed in landfills. Solid waste departments across North America feel the strain of reducing and controlling methane emissions, saving valuable landfill space, managing solid waste costs, and creating sustainable solutions.
Municipalities, regions, and private companies are turning to organic composting to divert organic wastes from landfills and reuse them as feedstock for a high-quality compost by-product. While theoretically simple, there is a logical series of processes and parameters, some specific to each site, to reach the goals communities and solid waste management organizations hope to achieve.
Whether your community or region already has composting and is scaling to include food waste, or you want to establish a new composting facility or regional composting site, a free educational session entitled Design, Siting, & Permitting of a Municipal Compost Facility can help.
The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority’s proposed compost facility reflects a well-thought-out strategy that leverages circularity, advanced composting technologies, and engineering best practices to create a sustainable and economically viable operation.
SCRRRA’s Executive Director, David Aldridge, walks us through his proposed regional compost facility, which reflects a well-thought-out strategy that leverages advanced composting technologies and engineering practices to create a sustainable and economically viable operation.
Dave with Greg McCarron, Professional Engineer, and Certified Compost Professional, discuss hybrid systems and incorporating rigorous process controls, resulting in a forward-thinking approach to composting at scale. Greg is available to answer questions about your program or starting a pilot program after viewing the webinar.
Participants and viewers will appreciate and understand applying the science and practice of composting and what is critical to successful site, design, permit, and manage composting programs that support circularity and operational efficiencies – creating value for all stakeholders.
Our experts field your questions during the live session, and we’ve captured the Q&A at the end of the presentation. SCS never shares or sells any contact information.
Learn More About Design, Siting, & Permitting of a Municipal Compost Facility
Helpful Composting Program Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 2024 Conference and Tradeshow, August 18th-21st at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. As a Silver Sponsor, SCS Engineers is proud to participate in the conference themed “Shifting the Conversation.” The CRRA Annual Conference and Trade Show attracts over 600 attendees and features an estimated 30 sessions with more than 100 industry experts presenting. This is an excellent opportunity to network with professionals, learn from the best in the field, and explore innovative solutions for recycling and sustainability. Each year, the CRRA organizes one of the most comprehensive and informative conferences dedicated to recycling and sustainable materials management in California and beyond. Learn more about the conference or register and join us here: CRRA 2024 – Conference and Trade Show • Anaheim, CA Aug 18th-21st, 2024 — California Resource Recovery Association
Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 Tennessee Sustainability Conference, the leading event for environmental professionals in the Southeast, from June 20-23 at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN. This annual event, hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tennessee Recycling Coalition, and the Tennessee Environmental Conference, stands as a must-attend for environmental and sustainability professionals.
The three-day event has a diverse lineup of environmental sessions, panel discussions, training classes and workshops, tours, an exhibit hall, and presentations from top environmental professionals and leaders. This is great opportunity to deepen your knowledge, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and gain insights from experts in the field. In addition to the educational content, attendees will have the chance to network with peers and market their business or organization at the popular exhibitor area. Explore various sponsorships, including exhibitor booth space, complimentary registrations (including meals and receptions), and recognition online, in newsletters, and at the event.
With top-notch educational content and valuable networking opportunities, you won’t want to miss this event. Mark your calendars and register today to join us at the 2024 Tennessee Sustainability Conference!
Join SCS Engineers at the 38th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School (EPSS) in Marco Island, Florida, from July 16th to 19th, 2024. This year’s EPSS promises to be a premier event, uniting public and private professionals for exceptional leadership development, networking, and top-notch programming. The Environmental Permitting Summer School is attended by attorneys, consultants, engineers, state and local government officials, developers, landowners, and others with a strong interest in environmental issues in Florida.
SCS Experts will be speaking on the following topics:
Land and Golf Course Redevelopment: Opportunities and Challenges
Speaker Session:
Eddy Smith, 1:30 PM – 3 PM, Wednesday, July 17, Room Calusa 8
Remediation Strategies and Case Studies
Speaker Session:
Brittany Odom, 3:30 PM – 5:10 PM , Wednesday, July 17, Room Calusa 12
Join us to gain valuable insights and connect with leading professionals in the field. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for growth and collaboration! Click for more conference details and information.
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!
