 
|
|
|||||||
TechDirect's purpose is to identify new technical, policy and guidance resources related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil, sediments and ground water. Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience. EPA Announces $69.3 Million to Clean Up Contaminated Sites and Revitalize Communities. EPA is announcing new Brownfields grants to provide communities with funding necessary to assess, clean and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and create jobs while protecting public health. The 245 grantees include tribes and communities in 39 states across the country, funded by EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) grants and RLF Supplemental Grants. Since the Program's inception, EPA's Brownfields investments have leveraged more than $18.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from a variety of public and private sources and have resulted in approximately 75,500 jobs. EPA has awarded 2,008 Assessment grants totaling $480.1 million, 292 Revolving Loan Fund grants totaling $286.1 million, and 838 Cleanup grants totaling $157.6 million. For more information and to view awarded brownfields grants by state, see http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/news . ITRC Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation - June 7, 2012, 11:00AM-1:15PM EDT (15:00-17:15 GMT). This training, which is based on the ITRC's Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation (Biofuels-1, 2011), focuses on the differences between biofuels and conventional fuels specific to release scenarios, environmental impacts, characterization, and remediation. The trainers will define the scope of the potential environmental challenges by introducing biofuel fundamentals, regulatory status, and future usage projections. Participants will learn how and when to use the ITRC biofuels guidance document for their projects. They will understand the differences in biofuel and petroleum behavior; become familiar with the biofuel supply chain, potential release scenarios and release prevention; be able to develop an appropriate conceptual model for the investigation and remediation of biofuels; and select appropriate investigation and remediation strategies. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live . ITRC Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites - June 12, 2012, 2:00PM-4:15PM EDT (18:00-20:15 GMT). ITRC's web-based Technical and Regulatory Guidance, Incorporating Bioavailability Considerations into the Evaluation of Contaminated Sediment Sites (Sed-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training are intended to assist state regulators and practitioners with understanding and incorporating fundamental concepts of bioavailability in contaminated sediment management practices. This guidance and training describe how bioavailability considerations can be used to evaluate exposure at contaminated sediment sites, the mechanisms affecting contaminant bioavailability, available tools used to assess bioavailability, the proper application of those tools and how bioavailability information can be incorporated into risk-management decisions. This guidance and training also contain summaries of case studies where bioavailability has been assessed and considered in the contaminated sediment remedial decision making process. This guidance and training provide insight on how bioavailability assessments can be used to understand, mitigate and manage risk at a contaminated sediment site, often at a reduced overall project cost. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live . New CLU-IN Mining Sites Webinar Series. This new webinar series will complement the CLU-IN Focus Page on Characterization, Cleanup, and Revitalization of Abandoned Mining Sites. The webinar series is targeted to site managers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and the general public as a source of relevant and current information on abandoned mine land issues and available treatment technologies. Potential topics include technology transfer, innovative and ecological approaches to dealing with mining waste, reuse and recovery technologies, renewable energy on former mine sites, and other related focus areas. Ideas for other webinar topics are welcome! Please submit your comments to Michele Mahoney at mahoney.michele@epa.gov . The first webinar in the series will focus on Technology Transfer and Training Resources for Mining Sites. The webinar will be held on June 13, 2012, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, EDT (17:00-19:00 GMT). For more information and to register, visit http://clu-in.org/mining/events . ITRC A Decision Framework for Applying Attenuation Processes to Metals and Radionuclides - June 14, 2012, 11:00AM-1:15PM EDT (15:00-17:15 GMT). This training and the associated ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, A Decision Framework for Applying Attenuation Processes to Metals and Radionuclides (APMR-1, 2010), is intended for anyone involved with evaluating, investigating, remediating or managing a site that involves metal and radionuclide contaminants in groundwater. This training and document provides: introduction to key attenuation processes for metals and radionuclides, information on incorporating Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) into remedial alternatives for metals/rads, and an overview of the decision framework on MNA for metals and radionuclides in groundwater within the larger evaluation framework of a contaminated site. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live . ITRC Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization - June 26, 2012, 2:00PM-4:15PM EDT (18:00-20:15 GMT). The ITRC technical and regulatory guidance document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training provide an approach to assist practitioners and regulators with measuring and determining acceptable S/S performance. This approach developed by the ITRC Solidification/Stabilization Team provides information for developing, testing, and evaluating appropriate site-specific performance specifications and the considerations for designing appropriate long-term stewardship programs. In addition, the approach provides useful tools for establishing an appropriate degree of treatment and regulatory confidence in the performance data to support decision-making. This training and guidance is intended to be beneficial to anyone involved with CERCLA, RCRA, Brownfields, UST or any other regulatory program where S/S has been selected or implemented as a remedial technology. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live . Optimization Evaluation, North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (EPA 542-R-11-012). The North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site (NPA6 Site) addresses multiple sources of contamination and a broad contaminant plume that underlies a large portion of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), and associated degradation products are the primary contaminants of concern. EPA originally identified 26 facilities in the Lansdale area as possible sources of contamination due to their use of site-related solvents. These 26 properties were grouped into two operable units (OUs) for soil contamination that would address source control through soil remediation. OU1 addressed 20 properties where EPA would perform remedial activities. OU2 will address the six remaining properties where the owners/operators will complete the work with EPA oversight. The groundwater contamination underlying the area is addressed in the OU3 Record of Decision (ROD) signed in August 2000. OU3 includes groundwater extraction and treatment of the contaminated groundwater at 10 source locations. Of these 10 locations, six are funded by Superfund (Fund-lead) and four are funded by potentially responsible parties (PRP). Groundwater remedies for five of the Fund-lead locations have been constructed and are the focus of this optimization evaluation report. EPA Region 3 requested that an optimization evaluation be conducted to identify potential opportunities to improve these five OU3 systems and to identify potential options for replacing or supplementing the existing remedies (April 2012, 146 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm . General Services Administration Sustainable Facilities Tool - Green Products Compilation. The General Services Administration's (GSA's) web-based Green Products Compilation (GPC) is now available to the public as a new module of the Sustainable Facilities Tool. GSA developed the GPC to help federal acquisition professionals better understand which environmental programs apply to the products and services they buy. Currently, the GPC lists products for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, or U.S. Department of Agriculture have issued designations or otherwise provided guidance for environmental or energy attributes. The GPC encompasses 19 product categories, including building construction materials such as concrete and insulation; cleaning products such as sorbents and dust suppressants; landscaping products such as compost and fertilizers; lubricants, oil, hydraulic fluid and grease for machinery; and vehicle products such as engine coolants and diesel fuel additives. View and use at http://www.sftool.gov/greenprocurement . Technology News and Trends: Let Us Know If You Would Like to Go Paperless! In the interest of minimizing the resources required to print and distribute the Technology News and Trends newsletter (http://www.clu-in.org/products/newsltrs/tnandt/), EPA is going paperless and will be distributing the newsletter electronically. If you are a subscriber, please let us know if you would like to continue your subscription via semi-monthly email notifications. Please send an email message with your mailing address and email address to TNTeditor@emsus.com. Put "Paperless" in the subject line so we can make the switch. Technology Innovation News Survey Corner. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at http://clu-in.org/products/tins/ . The following resources were included in recent issues:
EUGRIS Corner. New Documents on EUGRIS, the platform for European contaminated soil and water information. More than 24 resources, events, projects and news items were added to EUGRIS in May 2012. These can be viewed at http://www.eugris.info/whatsnew.asp . Then select the appropriate month and year for the updates in which you are interested. The following resources were posted on EUGRIS: NICOLE 2012 Sustainable Remediation Working Group Report (2012). In September 2010, NICOLE's Sustainable Remediation Work Group (SRWG) published a Road Map to Sustainable Remediation, which was the primary deliverable of a two-year project. These chapters provide the background context and the full technical details for this project. View or download at http://www.nicole.org/documents/DocumentList.aspx?l=7&w=n . Hydraulic Fracturing or "Fracking" A Short Summary of Current Knowledge and Potential Environmental Impacts (2012). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ireland and University of Aberdeen prepared this preliminary report to document what is currently known and understood about fracking and the potential environmental impacts. The report will help to form the basis for a larger and more detailed research study. View or download at http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/research/sss/name,33314,en.html . Training Opportunities for Small and Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs). The U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (TIFSD) is offering training that is designed to build the technical capacity of SDBs in the site characterization and remediation field. The training is part of an exciting new initiative designed to build the technical capacity of SDBs as they compete for environmental cleanup jobs in a greener workforce. The following courses are scheduled to be offered in 2012: Groundwater High-Resolution Site Characterization, August 7-8 in Boston, MA (http://www.trainex.org/1389); Best Management Practices for Site Assessment, Remediation, and Greener Cleanups, August 13 in Denver, CO (http://trainex.org/BMP-SARGC); and Triad Training for Practitioners, August 14-16 in Denver, CO (http://trainex.org/TriadPractitioners). There are no tuition costs for these courses. Other environmental professionals who may find these courses of interest include EPA, federal, state, and tribal technical project managers and stakeholders involved in the cleanup and reuse of hazardous waste sites. For additional information on this initiative, visit http://clu-in.org/smallbusiness . Registration Now Open!! State Environmental Protection in 2012 (STEP 2012), Washington, DC, June 7-8, 2012. STEP 2012 will feature state environmental commissioners/directors engaging representatives of federal agencies, industry, environmental groups, think tanks, associations, and legal and political consulting firms to address today's most pressing environmental issues. The meeting provides a forum for state officials, business and industry, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and others to explore current challenges in meeting environmental and public health demands in an era of declining resources. Topics for discussion include: more rules, less money, air & energy, innovation, green energy, toxics reform, coal ash, and water issues. For more information and to register, see http://www.ecos.org/section/events/?id=4622 . Call for Abstracts!! 3rd International Conference on Managing Urban Land & 6th International Conference on Innovative Solutions for Revitalisation of Degraded Areas, Ustron, Poland, October 2-4, 2012. The main conference theme is "Innovative Solutions towards Circular Land Use" and combines aspects of urban land management and degraded land revitalisation. A wide range of practitioners and researchers will share results of international scientific projects, policy approaches and best practice experiences. Trends in innovative land revitalisation and new approaches for public and private sector decision-making will be presented. The conference will also highlight the future of the EU's cohesion policy under the agenda of EUROPE 2020.Attendees will learn how to make life in urban agglomerations sustainable, how to restrict urban sprawl and minimise transportation and traffic need, how to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and how to clean up and restore the environment. Ultimately they will learn how to manage urban land in a more sustainable manner that makes optimal use of the opportunities brownfield sites offer. Abstracts are due by June 15, 2012. For more information and to submit an abstract, see http://www.ietu.katowice.pl/eng/News/cabernet_2012/ . Calls for Abstracts!! Sustainable Remediation 2012 Conference, Vienna, Austria, November 14-16 2012. The Sustainable Remediation 2012 Conference is being held by EURODEMOplus (Environment Agency Austria) in association with the US EPA and CL:AIRE (UK). The Sustainable Remediation Conference 2012 provides a venue for professionals and interested parties from multiple backgrounds to share experiences and perspectives on how contaminated sites can be remediated with a lower environmental footprint, and how their reuse can contribute to a more sustainable development. The event builds on the Green Remediation Conference held in Copenhagen November 2009, and subsequent discussions at ConSoil and through virtual events. The conference call for abstracts is open through June 8th with full details provided at http://www.sustainableremediation2012.org . To submit an abstract, fill out the contact form at http://www.eurodemo.info/general/contact/ . For further background on previous events see http://clu-in.org/global . Call for Abstracts!! AquaConSoil 2013 Conference, Barcelona, Spain, April 16-19, 2013. The AquaConSoil (formerly ConSoil) conference continues the tradition of serving as Europe's largest conference on applied knowledge of the management of soil-water systems. As organized by UFZ and Deltares, the conference themes address sustainable use of soil-water systems; resource management with a special focus on arid and semiarid regions; monitoring and assessment; remediation of contaminated water, soil, and sediment; and concepts and policies for sustainable management of soil-water systems and resource efficiency. Abstracts are due by June 30, 2012. For more information and to submit an abstract, see http://www.aquaconsoil.org/AquaConSoil2013/Start.html . Call for Ideas!! National Brownfields Conference, Atlanta, GA, May 15-17, 2013. Organizers of the 15th National Brownfields Conference want your ideas! The program for this annual conference is intended to motivate brownfields stakeholders to share knowledge and expertise and learn from each others' experiences. Venues for over 100 educational sessions include panel and plenary presentations, discussion-based roundtables and town hall meetings, business development opportunities such as the Economic Redevelopment Forum and exhibit hall, mobile workshops, and redevelopment walking tours. Abstracts are due by August 3, 2012. For more information and to submit an abstract, see http://www.brownfieldsconference.org . NOTE: For TechDirect, we prefer to concentrate mainly on new documents and the Internet live events. However, we do support an area on CLU-IN where announcement of conferences and courses can be regularly posted. We invite sponsors to input information on their events at http://clu-in.org/courses . Likewise, readers may visit this area for news of upcoming events that might be of interest. It allows users to search events by location, topic, time period, etc.
If you have any questions regarding TechDirect, contact Jeff Heimerman at (703) 603-7191 or heimerman.jeff@epa.gov. Remember, you may subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription address at http://clu-in.org/techdirect at any time night or day.
|
