Tech Environmental e-Newsletter
EPA PARTNERS WITH PORTS TO PROTECT HEALTH, SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The US Environmental Protection Agency recently presented a new strategy for reducing the environmental impacts of public ports. Since ocean-going ships move more than 99 percent of U.S. overseas trade (by weight), ports are a crucial hub of American economic activity. At the same time, they present a variety of environmental and security concerns that have intensified in recent years. By outlining its "Vision, Mission and Strategy for Sustainable Ports," the EPA hopes to "engage public port authorities and other stakeholders in voluntary efforts to reduce the environmental impacts associated with moving goods through the marine transportation system."
The EPA is adopting a six-pronged strategy to implement its vision for 21st-century American ports, based around a variety of distinct "themes." The Clean Air and Affordable Energy theme includes an effort to quantify and reduce the environmental impacts of ports, including establishing "LEED-like" agreements with freight owners to reduce the impacts of shipping goods. The Clean and Safe Water theme includes a goal of assessing and controlling impacts on water resources, as well as the promotion of "green infrastructure." The Healthy Communities and Ecosystems theme encourages utilization of the the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and urges efforts towards "environmental justice and public health concerns." The Global Environment theme includes efforts to combat invasive species, non-compliant goods, and emissions of air pollution, including greenhouse gases, from maritime shipping around the world. Finally, the Ports Communication and Enforcement themes focus on public relations efforts in support of this strategy, and the use of EPA tools to ensure enforcement of applicable laws, respectively.
Thus far, cooperative efforts between federal regulators and port industries have resulted in beneficial progress. An industry group, the Northeast Diesel Collaborative, points to a variety of examples of positive improvement in this regard. These include retrofits of yard and cargo-handling equipment at the MassPort Conley Container Terminal using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD); retrofits of public and private ferries in the New York Harbor to significantly reduce NOx emissions; and the installation of diesel particulate filters at the New York Container Terminal. 10 billion dollars will be spent over the next 5 years to expand commercial use of port operations, and an equal amount may be spent on port security. EPA's goal is to manage this explosive growth with regard to environmental impacts, and "help the ports and their trade partners minimize their environmental footprint, even as they grow." The EPA plans to release a progress report at the end of 2008.
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TECH WELCOMES
Mr. Wallace's recent air permitting and monitoring work includes serving as the project manager for the Massport Air Quality Consulting Services Contract for the past six years, during which time he supervised the preparation of numerous Air Plan Approval Applications; he also served as the project manager for the Massport-Logan Airport Air Quality Monitoring Study, overseeing an extensive baseline air monitoring program. Mr. Wallace's recent dispersion modeling work includes an air quality and noise impact analysis for the project to widen Route 1 through Saugus, Malden and Revere, MA; he utilized the MOBILE6.2 and CAL3QHC air models and the TNM2.5 noise model as part of a third-party Draft Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Report. He is currently serving as the project manager in charge of permitting efforts for several Aggregate Industries facilities (see below), and will continue to apply his expertise in montoring, dispersion modeling and permitting at Tech while providing air quality, odor, noise and dust services. You can contact Marc Wallace by email at mwallace@techenv.com or by telephone at AIR PERMITS FOR THE AGGREGATE INDUSTRY
Aggregate Industries, a producer of construction materials, recently retained Tech Environmental as part of the company's renewed approach to environmental quality. In addition to implementing an Environmental Management System across all its regional operations in the US, training all employees in environmental awaress, and adopting a companywide environmental policy, Aggregate sought a fresh approach to its air permitting processes, and brought Tech onboard to assist the company in that effort. Tech initially prepared a fast-tracked air permit for Aggregate's Littleton facility. The permit application was completed expeditiously, and Tech worked closely with MassDEP to obtain an air permit within one month of the project start. Tech is presently working to assemble and file air permit applications for several other Aggregate facilities in Massachusetts, in accordance with the company's ongoing efforts to prioritize environmental awareness and stewardship, and to ensure that each facility will operate in compliance with new and existing permit conditions. CONTACT US Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 ph. 781-890-2220 fax 781-890-9451
We are located at Reservoir Place on Trapelo Road off Exit 28, Rt. 128/I-95 in Waltham, Massachusetts. |
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| TECH ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. specializes in finding real solutions to air quality, odor control, noise and vibration, fugitive dust, and health & safety challenges. Our focused knowledge in air-quality-related fields is enhanced by a comprehensive understanding of environmental regulations and technologies. Visit our website at www.techenv.com or contact us by phone at (781) 890-2220. |