Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 SWANA North Carolina Chapter Fall Conference in Wilmington, North Carolina. The agenda for this event is robust with programming including a tour of the new Hanover Landfill, sessions on a range of the most prevalent topics in solid waste, young professional events, Garby award presentations, and ample networking opportunities. Seize this opportunity to spend a week with your fellow SWANA colleagues to increase your understanding of the industry and stay informed on the latest developments.
Act now and take advantage of early registration discounts and room blocks. Register for the NC SWANA 2024 Fall Conference today!
Join SCS at the 24th Annual Joint Fall Conference, September 4th – 5th, hosted by the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association (PWIA) and the SWANA Keystone Chapter at the Hilton Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Billed as Pennsylvania’s premier solid waste management event, this year’s conference features a welcome reception, program, and trade show. The technical program includes live learning and networking opportunities for industry professionals, and engaging topics on emerging technologies, PFAS, and financial considerations for energy projects.
SCS Experts are excited to present on the following topics this year.
LFG Recovery Forecasting Uncertainty on the Effects of Organics Diversion Presenter: Christopher Woloszyn, Senior Project Professional.
Drones, Lasers and Satellites, Oh My! Remote Methane Monitoring Techniques and Landfill Air Regulatory Update Presented by: Josh Roth and David Hostetter.
SCS is proud to be a sponsor and exhibitor for this exciting event, bringing together leaders and organizations across the solid waste industry.
The 32nd Fall Conference, October 23-25 is an opportunity to hear from leading practitioners and to learn about the challenges and opportunities shaping environment, energy, and resources law. During the conference, you will be able to leverage professional development opportunities, connect with industry experts such as SCS Engineers, and stay informed about the latest trends.
The conference features engaging discussions with leaders in environmental, energy, and resources law, including state and federal regulators, leading scholars, and in-house counsel. Each day will kick off with a plenary session, such as exploring the emergence of AI and its implications for environment, energy, and resources law, and the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions.
The conference agenda is diverse, providing updates on the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. A hypothetical industrial accident will focus on managing key roles in responding to the accident. Attendees will gain an understanding from energy practitioners as they delve into environmental justice considerations and the permitting process for energy and environmental projects and the strategic siting of renewable energy projects. Climate change remains a pressing concern, and panel discussions will explore recent climate litigation and the ramifications of climate change on water availability. Hear from panelists as they address Tribal considerations in the areas of treaty rights and co-management of state and federal lands and natural resources. Additional topics to be examined include dam removal developments, contaminated waterways cleanups, the impacts of regulatory requirements on supply chain logistics, the emergence of contaminants such as microplastics and 6PPD, and the evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and climate disclosure practices.
Experience firsthand this enriching event, where you’ll gain insights from top practitioners, build valuable connections, and be inspired by peers in the environmental, energy, and resources law community. We’ll see you in Seattle!
SCS Engineers’ professional staff, located according to their knowledge of regional and local geography, regulatory policies, and industrial or scientific specialty, are available nationwide. SCS professionals are technical experts and have been admitted as expert witnesses and supported legal counsel in a variety of environmental and regulatory litigation matters. We are always available to discuss:
SCS Engineers is again hosting our popular half-day Solid Waste Seminar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on June 5. Lunch is included.
This annual seminar covers the latest regulatory, policy, and technology developments in solid waste, landfill, landfill gas, and sustainable materials management. It is designed for solid waste management professionals, landfill managers, waste/recycling managers, supervisors, and operators.
This year’s presentations will be
Please see the flyer for registration information. We hope to see you there!
Join SCS Engineers at the SWANA SC Spring Conference, hosted at the Hilton DoubleTree in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. SCS’s own J Morgan, PE, SWANA SC Palmetto Chapter President, and the planning committee prepared an engaging agenda of technical sessions, including PFAS analytical methods, landfills and earthquakes, and environmental justice. Attendees will enjoy the annual spring golf outing, held at the Aero Club Short Course, and fun networking opportunities during Casino Night.
SCS experts are expected to present this year, with more details to come!
Registration is open to SWANA Members and non-members. Register today!
Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference, presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP). Taking place from March 25th to 27th at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College, PA, this conference is a key event for environmental professionals, developers, and stakeholders involved in brownfield redevelopment across the state.
The Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference is a premier platform for exploring innovative solutions and best practices in brownfield redevelopment, environmental remediation, and community revitalization. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, gain valuable industry insights, and network with experts and peers from various sectors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with professionals passionate about transforming blighted properties into vibrant community assets. Visit the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields conference website for registration details, agenda information, and more!
Get more information on Brownfields and Grants.
The ABA Annual Spring Conference on Environmental Law, April 3-5 in Chicago, IL., is where you join leading environmental, energy, and resources law professionals for knowledge-sharing, networking, and inspiration in the Windy City. The conference provides timely, topical updates on the latest opportunities and challenges facing the field of environmental law, with a deep dive into the fields of environmental compliance, energy, and resources law. Join – SEER – the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, to learn about the latest developments shaping the practice today and the long-term trends that will drive the future.
What to Expect
Lively discussions with leading practitioners, including state and federal regulators, leading scholars, and in-house counsel. Each day will kick off with a plenary session diving into key topics: one on forthcoming Supreme Court decisions that could reshape environmental law, and one on the evolution of EPA’s enforcement tools. A special track of panels will focus on the challenges of regulating across multiple jurisdictions. Panels in this series will help attendees understand how state priorities shape Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act implementation, parse through competing frameworks steering the energy transition, and make sense of global ESG trends influencing U.S. policy. The conference will also feature a litigation workshop focused on cutting-edge strategies for using unique types of evidence, like Indigenous Knowledge, in the courtroom.
Panels will examine liability mechanisms for historical PFAS, explore how regulatory pathways for emerging contaminants will impact clients, and consider practical approaches to environmental justice through the lens of a real case study in Chicago. Top speakers will weigh in on balancing the energy transition against national security and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence for lawyers. In addition to insights and practice tips from top practitioners, two panels will begin with case summary presentations by law students and young attorneys that attendees can use in their own practices.
Whether you are an experienced practitioner or in the beginning stages of your practice, join us in Chicago to create new connections, exchange perspectives, and get inspired by your fellow environmental, energy, and resources law professionals.
Join SCS Engineers at the 40th Annual VWEA Industrial Waste and Pretreatment Conference, with the theme “Storytelling Through the Four P’s: People, Pollutants, Pretreatment, and Perspectives.” On March 4-5 at the Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, VA, this conference will be an enlightening and enriching experience for professionals in the field.
The conference offers a comprehensive program, including technical sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at exploring the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in industrial waste management and pretreatment processes. As a participant, you’ll have the chance to engage with industry experts, regulatory authorities, and fellow practitioners to exchange insights, best practices, and practical solutions.
Join thousands of your peers at the forefront of industrial waste management and pretreatment practices. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your knowledge, expand your professional network, or showcase your company’s expertise, the Industrial Waste and Pretreatment Conference is the premier platform to achieve your goals and drive positive change in the industry.
Click here for schedule, registration, and other event details.
In response to its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated two regulatory actions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to tackle PFAS pollution. Once implemented, these measures will empower federal and state agencies with advanced tools for PFAS remediation.
The initial proposed regulation intends to designate specific PFAS as “hazardous constituents” within RCRA’s framework, making them subject to detailed scrutiny and cleanup actions at sites handling hazardous waste.
The second proposed rule aims to affirm that new contaminants, including certain PFAS that are not currently classified as “hazardous wastes” yet align with the definition of “hazardous waste” in RCRA section 1004(5), should be managed equivalently to traditional hazardous wastes in the context of corrective actions. Listing these PFAS as RCRA hazardous constituents does not make them, or the wastes containing them, RCRA hazardous wastes.
On February 8, 2024, the EPA proposed to add nine PFAS compounds to the list of “hazardous constituents” to be considered “in RCRA facility assessments and, where necessary, further investigation and cleanup through the RCRA corrective action process.” Appendix VIII to Part 261 – Hazardous Constituents shown at right.
If finalized, this hazardous constituent listing would form part of the basis for any future action the EPA may take to list these substances as hazardous waste.
EPA’s criteria for listing substances as hazardous constituents under RCRA require that they have been shown in scientific studies to have toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic effects on humans or other life forms.
Entities potentially affected by the proposed rule include hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) with solid waste management units (SWMUs) that have released or could release any of the PFAS proposed to be listed as RCRA hazardous constituents. EPA has identified 1,740 such facilities, which could be subject to additional corrective action requirements. “Waste Management and Remediation Services” had the highest number of facilities (359) with a high likelihood of handling PFAS.
The primary goal of the suggested amendment is to update 40 CFR 264.101 so that it accurately mirrors the requirements for corrective action cleanups at hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) as specified by RCRA sections 3004(u) and (v). The modifications are designed to clarify that the management of hazardous waste releases, including those not categorized as hazardous under current regulations but fitting the broader definition in RCRA section 1004(5), should adhere to the established protocols for hazardous waste under the corrective action program. Focusing on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), this regulatory action is a crucial part of the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Should this proposed regulation be adopted, it would mean that PFAS would be specifically included as hazardous constituents to be considered during facility assessments and, where necessary, further investigation and cleanup under the RCRA corrective action process at hazardous waste TSDFs.
The proposed regulation states that “solid waste disposal facilities, such as those for municipal waste or construction and demolition debris, would not be subject to RCRA corrective action requirements unless they also function as hazardous waste TSDFs.”
Subtitle D of RCRA covers non-hazardous solid waste management, including municipal solid waste landfills, which are subject to different regulations than hazardous waste facilities (regulated under Subtitle C).
Although the recent proposal by the EPA to revise RCRA does not aim at mandating corrective actions at municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, it sets the stage for probable future amendments under Subtitle C that might classify certain PFAS-containing waste streams, currently considered non-hazardous, as hazardous waste (e.g., listed or characteristic wastes).
While it is premature to predict the impact of future hazardous waste regulations on MSW landfills, it is appropriate to begin collecting information on PFAS waste and assessing potential effects now. Landfills that have implemented special waste review programs (for example, for non-hazardous industrial wastes like wastewater treatment sludge) are advised to expand their waste characterization efforts within these programs to include requests for data on the presence and concentration of the nine PFAS constituents highlighted in the proposed RCRA rule. Additionally, landfills without such review programs are encouraged to consider establishing them.
Additional Resources/Legislation:
About the Authors: Connect with our authors and experts at
Jeff Marshall, PE, is a Vice President of SCS Engineers, Environmental Services Practice Leader for SCS offices in the Mid-Atlantic region, and our National Expert on Emerging Contaminants and Innovative Technologies. His four decades of experience include a diversified project engineering and management background, emphasizing environmental chemistry, hazardous materials, waste, and human health risk issues. Focus areas include environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and hazardous materials treatment and remediation. He is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Proposed PFAS Hazardous Constituents Under RCRA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend its regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by adding nine specific per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), their salts, and their structural isomers to its list of hazardous constituents. EPA’s criteria for listing substances as hazardous constituents under RCRA require that they have been shown in scientific studies to have toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic effects on humans or other life forms.
Entities potentially affected by this action include hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) with solid waste management units (SWMUs) that have released or could release any of the PFAS proposed to be listed as RCRA hazardous constituents. EPA has identified 1,740 such facilities, which could be subject to additional corrective action requirements (under RCRA section 3004(u) and (v)) to address releases not already subject to corrective action under EPA’s corrective action regulations.
The nine PFAS and common uses are as follows:
EPA will collect comments on this PFAS to RCRA’s hazardous constituents proposal for 60 days once published in the Federal Register. Read a prepublication copy of this proposal.
Submit your comments on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov and identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2023-0278.
As a result of this proposed rule, if finalized, when imposing corrective action requirements at a facility, these PFAS would be among the hazardous constituents expressly identified for consideration in RCRA facility assessments and, where necessary, further investigation and cleanup through the RCRA corrective action process at RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Contact SCS Engineers for guidance about your facility at .
Additional Resources:
For additional information regarding EPA’s proposed RCRA PFAS rules, see:
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