The ASTSWMO Materials Management Subcommittee is hosting a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D 101 webinar to provide a high-level overview of the non-hazardous solid waste subtitle of RCRA for new solid waste/materials management program staff. The webinar is open to States, Territories, and EPA. The presentation has been developed by the Subcommittee from the perspective of “what do I wish I knew when I started that I know now”. Along with the introduction and overview, the webinar will highlight disposal permit programs, beneficial use, and sustainable materials management aspects of Subtitle D. An approximately 1-hour recording of the presentation will be followed by a live portion of the webinar to provide the opportunity for attendees to ask […]

You only have one shot at making a good first connection. Over the years, scientists, engineers, and regulators have developed a reputation for giving technically sound presentations but at the risk of not connecting with their audience due to jargon or highlighting uncertainty to the point of blurring the technical conclusion. Although we have different communication tools (texting, email, social media) than were available 20+ years ago, the skills needed for successful in-person communication have not changed over time. This session will provide strategy, approaches, and specific examples for positive engagement and meaningful communication with your audience. Learn lessons from state regulators and TAB provider who have implemented successful public outreach programs to effectively engage communities and stakeholder groups with […]

Register Here The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, also known as the Brownfields Law, was signed into law in 2002 and amended CERCLA to provide, among other things, liability protections for non-polluters including the Bonafide Prospective Purchaser Defense (BFPP). Numerous States have implemented programs that mirror the CERCLA law to facilitate brownfields redevelopment by incentivizing parties with a liability defense to invest in site cleanup and reuse with reduced legal risk. This session will compare three State programs and the USEPA use of BFPP agreements, explore how liability protections have driven successful redevelopment, and look forward to the long-term maintenance of a BFPP defense. Attendees will gain practical insights and concepts on how to improve your State’s […]

Register Here Today's public frequently engages with environmental situations thanks to widespread and rapid information sharing from social media; however, there is a prevalent attitude that information does not get shared by the State and federal government fast enough. The ASTSWMO Removals and Emergency Response Focus Group sought information from their State and regional counterparts to determine if public communication during time-critical removal actions and emergency responses is an established process or if future national guidance may be needed. This webinar will discuss the research findings and present two programs with established and evolving public communication strategies. Speakers: Kevin Kemp, NY DEC Elizabeth Lohman, VA DEQ John Giese, VA DEQ

Today's public frequently engages with environmental situations thanks to widespread and rapid information sharing from social media; however, there is a prevalent attitude that information does not get shared by the State and federal government fast enough. The ASTSWMO Removals and Emergency Response Focus Group sought information from their State and regional counterparts to determine if public communication during time-critical removal actions and emergency responses is an established process or if future national guidance may be needed. This webinar will discuss the research findings and present two programs with established and evolving public communication strategies. Register Here Speakers: Kevin Kemp, NY DEC Elizabeth Lohman, VA DEQ John Giese, VA DEQ

Federal regulation does not currently require States to be present at the initial installation or start-up of underground storage tanks. Because of this, some States have created internal policies to have UST inspectors present at the time of installation or start-up. These inspections often rely on PEI’s RP100 document or industry manuals rather than federal guidelines. This webinar will provide an overview of federal installation regulations, a State perspective on installation inspections and start-up testing, commentary from the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) on their RP100 installation recommended practices, and an industry perspective. Presentation