Learn about SCS Engineers Air Compliance Reporting Services
I spent the day at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/Air & Waste Management Association (NJDEP/AWMA) Regulatory Update Conference, and it was a great reminder of how quickly things are shifting in New Jersey’s air regulatory world. Hearing directly from NJDEP leadership about upcoming changes in environmental justice, air toxics, greenhouse gas (GHG) programs, and permitting really helped connect the dots with what we’re seeing in the field.
A lot of what NJDEP emphasized lined up with the challenges I’m seeing firsthand with clients across the nation— the need for cleaner data, better documentation, and early conversations with state environmental departments before projects get too far along. These small steps make a big difference in keeping permit reviews on track.
Technical Takeaways from the Regulatory Update Conference
This year’s NJDEP/AWMA conference provided a clear picture of where New Jersey’s air programs are heading and how those changes will affect industrial and manufacturing facilities across the State. What stood out most is how closely the NJDEP themes align with the real-world challenges we’re helping clients navigate in NJ and other states right now.
Data Quality and Permit Readiness
NJDEP stressed the importance of complete, defensible emission data. This is something we talk about often with clients, because a single inconsistent number can hold up an entire project. Stronger front-end preparation — especially around emission factors, process descriptions, and modeling inputs — is quickly becoming the expectation rather than a best practice.
Air Toxics and Cumulative Impact Methods
The Environmental Department previewed updates to air toxics screening tools and how cumulative impacts will be factored into more reviews. For facilities with multiple sources or complex operations, this means more attention to stack parameters, speciation, and short-term concentration drivers. Our team at SCS has been leaning into this trend, helping clients get ahead of the more technical evaluations on the horizon.
Modeling and Monitoring Direction
New Jersey, Texas, and California are moving toward more refined modeling guidance — especially around near-source impacts, downwash, and mobile-source interactions. NJDEP’s expanded community monitoring network will also feed into future reviews. This shift underscores the need for high-quality modeling and clear documentation that can withstand scrutiny.
Climate and GHG Regulatory Direction
NJDEP made it clear that industrial GHG reporting, methane tracking, and long-range decarbonization planning will play a larger role moving forward. Again, a theme we’re seeing in other states and localities. We’re already supporting clients in building internal carbon inventories and preparing for the next phase of regulatory expectations.
Environmental Justice as a Key Factor in Regulatory Decisions
EJ is now a core part of New Jersey’s regulatory process. Facilities in or near EJ areas will need to be ready for additional analyses, documentation, and community-focused review steps. This is an area where SCS brings significant practical insight — helping facilities navigate technical requirements while maintaining constructive communication with regulators and communities.
AWMA continues to be an important part of my professional life, and it’s a big reason SCS stays plugged into the conversations that shape environmental policy in the region and nationwide. Always a good experience reconnecting with colleagues and coming away with new insights to bring back to our team and clients.
Meet our Author: John Tsun, National Practice Leader – Industrial Clean Air Act Services, SCS Engineers.
Additional Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the Federation of Environmental Technologists (FET) Annual Air & Reporting Updates 2025, January 21-22.
On January 21, SCSer John Tadelski will present “Air Compliance Best Practices and New Developments.” He will cover recent changes in Wisconsin’s air management, including new guidance on stacks and obstructions, compliance following the redesignation of the Milwaukee nonattainment area, and general compliance best practices.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into air compliance strategies and stay informed about the latest developments in Wisconsin’s air management.
For more information and to register, visit the FET website.
Stephanie Taylor’s outstanding work recently earned her the prestigious Air & Waste Management Association’s 2021 Young Professional Award. As an SCS Engineers Environmental Professional, Stephanie manages and supports numerous clients in the Midwest, providing valuable air compliance/permitting and groundwater compliance services. She is a respected colleague at SCS and frequently provides services to offices outside of her business unit as an air compliance/permitting specialist.
In her recent work, Stephanie provided air compliance/permit audit services to a private client completing a companywide multimedia audit. Her work took her to multiple industrial manufacturing plants nationwide. Her attention to detail is integral in identifying non-compliance and areas of improvement that her client implemented company-wide to improve operations and compliance with permit requirements.
Stephanie joined with Midwest AWMA board in 2016 and quickly accepted the challenges of leadership, becoming Vice Chair in 2018 and as Chair for the Midwest Section in 2019 and 2020. In both positions, she was responsible for managing/coordinating the annual Midwest AWMA conference, a big job. She continues to serve the Midwest AWMA Chapter in a leadership role.
Stephanie has been the lead for the Young Professionals (YP) group in the SCS Kansas City office for several years. Her responsibilities include coordinating YP networking events and coordinating with the corporate YP group to support and mentor new YPs entering the workforce.
Tia Jeter, Stephanie’s manager says,
I have full confidence in Stephanie and her abilities and do not hesitate to let her take the lead on projects as I know the work quality she produces. She is a dedicated and key member of our SCS team. She is technically very strong and dependable, and co-workers know she will get the job done and stay on top of the client’s needs. She has done a great job getting involved with both SCS groups, the YP association, and the AWMA board.
Tuesday, October 10, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET
This Air & Waste Management Association webinar covers the effective, sustainable operation of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in today’s changing environment.
The latest updates to EPA regulations in over two decades limiting air emissions from landfills will be reviewed in detail.
Participants will learn the available models for quantifying landfill gas generation emissions and which model to use in different situations as well as energy recovery from landfill gas, its emissions, and how control requirements can affect feasibility.
This is the third and final article in a series of our interview with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mary Wesling and Robert Lucas, both of whom have extensive experience with Risk Management Plan – RMP implementation and enforcement. The interview continues the discussion of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices – RAGAGEPs, Process Safety Management – PSM, and EPA resources for help.
Jake Tilley is part of the SCS Tracer Environmental team of RETA certified professionals who work with clients in food service and industrial food and beverage processing.
Click here to read the article.
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