Karen Thompson, P.G.
Plastic Grocery Bags – next source of Diesel Fuel?
-April 2, 2014
Science Daily reported this week that Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are researching the viability of turning plastic shopping bags into diesel fuel using a pyrolysis process. The University team looked into a mixture of distillate fractions to provide the equivalent of ultra-low sulfur diesel, and were able to blend up to […]
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Clarify Protection for Nation’s Streams and Wetlands in New Proposed Rule
-March 31, 2014
We told you last week that the USACE and EPA had issued a proposed rule defining key provisions of the Clean Water Act. Click here for that blog entry. The most substantial change in the new rule is the proposed deletion of the existing regulatory provision that defines “waters of the “United States”. Waters in […]
E-Manifest: What is scheduled to happen in October 2015?
-February 4, 2014
The USEPA is planning to have the e-Manifest system up and running. Under RCRA all hazardous waste shipped for disposal must be documented on a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest Form. In October 2015, EPA will be moving from carbonless paper copies to electronic forms. Why is this important? Once EPA has the e-manifest system up, […]
LEED vs. Green Globes
-December 6, 2013
A recent article from News daily.com looked at an emerging green building rating system that is emerging as an alternative to the LEED certification. In October, The U.S. General Services Administration recommended that Green Globes can be used alongside LEED for new construction and renovation projects. You can read more about both systems from their […]
EPA looking to change Cleanup Policy for Groundwater
-October 2, 2013
A recent article from the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) reports that the EPA Superfund Office is planning to change its policy on groundwater cleanups. EPA wants to provide a more flexible approach to setting remedial objectives where MCLs may not be the appropriate limit. http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/ngwanz/issues/2013-09-27/index.html#1 http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=14668
EPA Approves TMDL Reports for Four Watersheds
-August 19, 2013
EPA has approved TMDL reports on bacteria impairments for Carr Fork (Knott County), Hardwick Creek (Powell and Estill Counties), Muddy Creek (Madison County), and Cox Creek (Nelson County). DOW will now begin developing TMDLs for each of these watersheds to decrease bacterial impairments. http://kydep.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/epa-approves-tmdl-report-s-for-four-watersheds/ You can find additional information here. http://ofmpub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_state.control?p_state=KY
ASTM Webinar “Changes to the ASTM 1527 Standard: What You Need to Know Now
-June 3, 2013
Smith Management will be participating in the ASTM Webinar “Changes to the ASTM 1527 Standard: What You Need to Know Now” on Thursday June 6th. The new Phase I standard is under review by the EPA, and the standard will likely be published later this year. The changes in the standard include changes to the […]
SMG Participates in Maryville Elementary School Career Fair
-April 10, 2013
Karen Thompson, a Professional Geologist at Smith Management Group, is a presenter at the Maryville Elementary School Career Fair on April 12th. She will be interacting with K thru 5 students sharing information about being a professional geologist in the environmental field. Maryville Elementary Career Fair focuses on the 14 Kentucky Career Clusters which are: Transportation, […]
How Sequestration will Affect EPA?
-March 15, 2013
The EPA is bracing for a 8.2% cut in the agency’s spending for 2013. It is estimated that the overall budget for EPA is expected be cut by $719 Million below FY 2012. Possible cuts include furloughs, limited spending on travel and training, cuts to contractor budgets, and possible cuts to state grants. Furloughs will […]
National Academy of Sciences Publishes Report on Managing Contaminated Groundwater Sites
-March 8, 2013
The National Groundwater Association (NGWA) reported that the National Academy of Sciences published a new report by the National Research Council last year that provides recommendations for long-term complex groundwater cleanup. The committee recommended developing a formal evaluation for sites with contamination above MCLs that where technologies are not available to achieve those drinking water […]