ASTSWMO Alumni and EPA Alumni sit down to discuss and answer questions about the importance of partnerships in order to complete tasks.

While renowned for its search and data capabilities, Alphabet, Google's parent company, is also focused on ways to accelerate circularity for all its users, making the world's sustainability data more accessible and usable by everyone. This presentation explores how Alphabet transcends its traditional strengths, by showcasing real-world examples of its commitment to a greener future. The speaker will delve into X, the Moonshot Factory, to see how AI is being applied to the circular economy of materials, and why data and science are important when exploring and scaling the latest approaches in advanced recycling.

The presentation will discuss considerations, strategies, and resources to help EPA and State partners identify and manage or avoid potential post-construction pitfalls. The information provided will help all stakeholders to:

• Plan more effectively for post construction completion activities;
• Operate within the limitations CERCLA and the NCP place on EPA’s work during post construction;
• Successfully transition Fund-lead remedies from EPA to State responsibility; and
• Ensure that O&M and oversight responsibilities are fulfilled for any remedies in post construction.

This session will include updates from the Federal Agencies on their cleanup programs at Federal Facilities.

EPA speakers will discuss implementation of the final EPA e-Manifest Third Rule that was published in July 2024 and issues for State hazardous waste programs.

A panel of State speakers will discuss funding of their State materials management programs. Session attendees will be invited to participate in the information-sharing of State program funding.

The ASTSWMO Release Prevention Task Force members are collaborating with EPA OUST to review and discuss some of the various UST release prevention regulations implemented over the years. Additional topics of discussion include managing aging tanks, compliance practices, and what State and Territorial members are doing to increase UST compliance and reduce releases.

This session will give an overview of a 5-Year Review and the responsibilities of State and Federal Regulators dealing with changing toxicity values during the review process.

EPA HQ staff will discuss the intersection of EPA Environmental Justice and Brownfields. States and Territories will have an opportunity to learn more about the intersection of both programs and a chance to ask questions.

A brief overview of the 2023 ASTSTWMO Hazardous Waste Program Management Implementation Costs Report will set the stage for a discussion of current and future funding for the RCRA Subtitle C program and communicating the importance of the RCRA Subtitle C program as a preventative program.

This will be a two-part breakout session, first highlighting recycling and sustainability strategies and then turning to a State’s work to update their regulated medical waste regulations. Will begin by highlighting various recycling and sustainable materials management strategies. The session will then turn to a presentation of one State’s work to update their regulated medical waste (RMW) regulations.

The ASTSWMO LUST Task Force will present three State examples of UST and Brownfield program collaboration for removal of USTs and cleanup of releases. Presenters include representatives from South Carolina, West Virginia, and Nebraska. Following the presentations will be a discussion on State strategies and lessons learned when integrating UST and Brownfield Programs.

The Federal Facilities Subcommittee will present on the challenges State regulators face dealing with vapor intrusion at Federal Facilities. The session will cover data collection, analysis, and pitfalls one may face.

The Financial Responsibility Task Force published a paper in 2017 that defines and discusses challenges states have with addressing abandoned tanks. Is this still an issue for your state? Do you identify abandoned tanks the same as this paper describes? Have you had a success you want to share? Does your state still struggle with challenges? The Financial Responsibility Task Force will briefly provide highlights from the 2017 paper, explore a small sample survey, and allow the audience to also participate in answering survey questions.

The ASTSWMO Emerging Issues Task Force has launched the Compendium, an interactive, online library for new and experienced members of the environmental community to take and contribute resources related to underground storage tank (UST), aboveground storage tank (AST), and leaking underground storage tank (LUST), and Fund programs. The library content ranges from personnel and guidance documents, public outreach, inspection, and field-work checklists, and more. In a request for the audience to explore and contribute their own resources, the Emerging Issues Task Force will briefly review the library thus far and demonstrate the uploading process. Additionally, EPA’s Office of Research Development (ORD) will share important updates on the latest UST Finder 2.0 software and gauge the audience for feedback for the next version.