Sonya Betker, TRUE Advisor, SEA, and CE Instructor, is a sustainability and circular economy leader with SCS Engineers. She has nearly two decades of experience transforming how organizations understand, manage, and maximize the value of resources. Through her work as a Project Director at SCS, she partners with large, multi-site organizations to design and implement sustainability strategies that advance zero-waste goals, improve operational efficiency, and create measurable environmental, social, and economic impact.
With expertise spanning waste stream optimization, vendor partnerships, environmental auditing, and circular economy system design, Sonya helps organizations move beyond traditional waste management approaches and toward more regenerative models. Her work supports clients at regional, national, and global levels by identifying opportunities to reduce waste, recover resources, and create systems that align business success with environmental responsibility.
Throughout her career, Sonya has built a reputation as a systems thinker, strategist, and change agent who challenges conventional approaches and helps organizations rethink their relationship with materials and resources. Her professional journey has included roles in commercial asset management, waste brokerage, and emerging sustainability technologies, each experience contributing to her broader understanding of how industries can transition toward circularity.
Today, Sonya is recognized for her ability to connect sustainability goals with practical implementation. As a certified TRUE Advisor, Sustainability Excellence Associate, and Circular Economy Instructor, she brings both technical knowledge and real-world experience to organizations seeking to reduce waste and create lasting change. Her work frequently focuses on developing solutions for complex material streams, including textiles, organics, and industrial byproducts, while helping organizations understand that waste can represent an opportunity rather than an endpoint.
Beyond her technical expertise, Sonya is deeply committed to education, mentorship, and collaboration. She actively supports emerging professionals, contributes to industry conversations, and participates in initiatives focused on stewardship, reuse, regenerative systems, and climate solutions. Through board and advisory roles, she continues to advocate for innovative approaches that support stronger communities and a more sustainable future.
Sonya describes her leadership style as bringing “just enough rebel energy” to challenge outdated systems while building practical pathways toward progress. Her approach combines curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to question assumptions to create meaningful transformation.
Sonya attributes her success to perseverance—the belief that meaningful work is rarely easy, particularly when advancing ideas that challenge established systems. She believes that sustainability and circularity require patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when change takes time.
Her commitment is also driven by a deep sense of stewardship and a desire to pay opportunities forward. Sonya is passionate about leaving behind better ideas, stronger systems, and greater possibilities for future generations. She believes that genuine passion is a powerful force, and she has learned that when leaders approach their work with authenticity and enthusiasm, they can inspire others to see what is possible.
Sonya also credits a degree of Gen X determination—the mindset of continuing to push forward even when challenges arise. That persistence has helped her remain focused on creating meaningful, regenerative impact throughout her career.
The best career advice Sonya has received is to anchor herself in her passion and allow the journey to unfold from there. Following her passion for sustainability, circularity, and environmental innovation has guided her toward opportunities that align with her purpose.
Throughout her career, Sonya has embraced the importance of staying curious, saying yes to meaningful challenges, and continuing to move forward even when the path is uncertain. She believes passion establishes direction, but perseverance and consistent effort are what sustain progress.
For young women entering the sustainability and circular economy field, Sonya’s advice is clear: do not be afraid to take up space. She encourages women to recognize the value of their perspectives, experiences, and voices, emphasizing that the industry needs their ideas, passion, and willingness to challenge existing approaches.
Sonya believes real progress happens when individuals are willing to question the status quo and imagine new possibilities. She encourages women to celebrate what motivates them and never allow others to diminish their enthusiasm, because passion can become the spark that drives innovation and inspires meaningful change.
She also emphasizes the importance of seeking mentors, especially in industries that have historically been male-dominated. Having individuals who provide encouragement, guidance, and perspective can help women navigate challenges and recognize their own potential.
At the same time, Sonya encourages women not to wait for permission to pursue leadership opportunities. She believes they should take ownership of their careers, trust their abilities, and move forward with confidence, determination, and authenticity. The sustainability industry needs more women who are prepared to lead, innovate, and reshape the future.
One of the greatest challenges Sonya sees in the sustainability field today is overcoming complacency and the comfort many organizations have with traditional systems. While concepts such as zero waste and circular economy principles are gaining greater attention, they can still feel overwhelming or abstract to many people.
Sonya understands that change often creates uncertainty, particularly when it requires organizations to rethink long-standing processes and behaviors. Much of her work involves helping individuals and organizations move from hesitation toward understanding and, ultimately, action.
She believes education, patience, and meaningful conversations are essential to helping people recognize the value of circular systems. For Sonya, one of the most rewarding moments is seeing someone move from resistance to realization—from saying “no” to saying, “I understand.” That shift represents the beginning of transformation.
While challenges exist, Sonya believes the opportunities are equally significant. Many organizations continue to operate within a traditional take-make-waste model, but emerging technologies, innovative materials, and new circular approaches are creating unprecedented opportunities for change.
She believes the future depends on organizations being willing to embrace new possibilities. If nothing changes, nothing changes—and now is the time to create systems that support resilience, regeneration, and long-term sustainability.
The values that guide Sonya’s professional and personal life are perseverance, passion, and stewardship. She believes in showing up with determination, especially when progress is difficult or when meaningful change requires time.
Passion allows her to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation while helping others see possibilities beyond existing limitations. She believes that enthusiasm and commitment can inspire individuals and organizations to help create a more sustainable future.
Stewardship connects all aspects of Sonya’s work. She believes in leaving things better than she found them—whether that means improving a project, supporting a team, strengthening a community, or protecting the environment.
For Sonya, stewardship also means mentoring future leaders, listening deeply to diverse perspectives, and honoring the experiences that shape people’s understanding of sustainability and change.
Through her leadership at SCS Engineers, her educational efforts, and her continued advocacy for circular systems, Sonya Betker continues to make a meaningful impact on the future of sustainability. Guided by perseverance, passion, and stewardship, she remains committed to creating better systems, empowering others, and helping organizations move toward a more regenerative and resilient world.
Based on SCS’s free webinar Landfill and Facility Surface Fire Prevention and discussion with Jeff Phillips, SCS Engineers, and Ken Miller, Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency.
Why do solid waste facilities need a surface fire plan?
Fires are common at landfills, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, composting areas, and related infrastructure. A surface fire plan helps facilities prepare before an incident occurs, define roles, coordinate with emergency responders, identify resources, and reduce confusion during an emergency. The goal is to fight fires safely, quickly, and effectively before they grow into larger incidents.
What is the biggest benefit of having a surface fire plan?
The biggest benefit is preparation. A plan allows facility staff and emergency responders to stay calm, understand their roles, and act quickly instead of trying to make decisions in the middle of an emergency. It also helps prevent fires from getting worse while teams determine what resources are needed.
What types of facilities can benefit from a surface fire plan?
Surface fire planning benefits landfills, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, composting operations, maintenance areas, fuel storage areas, and other solid waste facility infrastructure. Fires can occur in incoming loads, working faces, containers, equipment, structures, debris piles, and vehicles, so planning should address the full facility, not only the landfill cell.
What commonly causes fires at solid waste facilities?
Common causes include chemical reactions between materials, sparks from equipment, arson, lightning, burn barrels, rekindled fires, rapid settlement, hot loads, incoming vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries or battery-containing devices. Vapes, phones, laptops, power tools, game controllers, battery packs, smoke alarms, and other devices with embedded batteries are an increasing concern because they can enter the waste or recycling stream unnoticed.
Why are lithium-ion batteries such a concern?
Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly embedded in everyday products and can ignite when damaged, crushed, compacted, or exposed to certain conditions. Because many battery-containing devices are small or difficult to identify in the waste stream, they can reach landfills, transfer stations, or recycling facilities before staff knows they are present. Outreach, source separation, collection programs, and policy solutions can help, but facilities still need fire response plans because not every battery will be captured.
What should be included in a facility fire plan?
A fire plan should describe the facility, identify immediate recommendations, include emergency contacts and vendors, provide current facility maps, outline likely fire scenarios, define roles and responsibilities, address the National Incident Management System, identify resources, and document health and safety considerations. Useful plans also include tear-out sheets, water supply information, access routes, utility shutoffs, communication channels, equipment needs, and after-action report procedures.
Why is coordination with the fire department important?
Fire departments may not be familiar with the unique risks of landfills, transfer stations, and material recovery facilities. Planning helps responders understand site access, working areas, water availability, facility hazards, landfill gas systems, confined spaces, heavy equipment, and command structure. It also gives facility staff and responders time to test communication systems, resolve interoperability issues, and agree on how they will work together before an emergency occurs.
How often should facilities train on their fire plan?
Training should occur regularly, not just when the plan is written or updated. The webinar emphasized annual training so new facility staff, paid fire department personnel, and volunteer responders can rotate through the program. Facilities should also conduct after-action reviews after fires and complete broader plan reviews every few years or when operations, equipment, risks, or response resources change.
What should facilities do after a fire?
Facilities should document what happened, complete an after-action review, identify what went well, determine what could improve, update the fire plan, and share useful lessons with responders and industry peers. Documenting even small fires can reveal patterns, identify problematic materials or generators, support better planning, and provide data for regulators, legislators, and industry organizations.
What resources should be identified before an incident?
Facilities should identify water sources, hydrant locations, tender operations, dirt or cover material stockpiles, equipment, lighting, fuel, radios, portable restrooms, traffic control, contractor support, and specialized services such as thermal imaging or aerial water support where applicable. For landfills, the webinar strongly recommended maintaining enough dirt near the working face at the end of each day to cover the area quickly if an overnight fire occurs.
What role does technology play in fire prevention and response?
Technology can help detect fires earlier and support faster response. Examples discussed include thermal camera systems, FLIR cameras, tower cameras, drones, automated detection systems, AI-powered identification systems, and automatic turret fire suppression systems. These tools can help confirm whether a fire is real, locate hotspots, guide responders, and keep fires smaller until the fire department arrives. Facilities should also maintain and test these systems so they do not create a false sense of security.
Are heat detection and automatic fire suppression systems useful for transfer stations and material recovery facilities?
Yes. Heat detection and automatic turret fire suppression systems can be especially valuable in enclosed or semi-enclosed facilities. Early detection and targeted suppression can keep a fire small, protect the building, and give the fire department time to arrive and complete suppression. These systems may also be useful to discuss with insurance carriers as part of a facility’s risk management strategy.
What PPE should landfill staff or equipment operators use during fire response?
Operator protection is a significant concern. Enclosed cabs and standard filters may reduce particulates, but they may not fully protect against smoke or organic compounds. The webinar discussed the potential use of powered air respirators with HEPA and carbon filtration, along with the need to make equipment available, train operators, and define when operators should disengage and obtain additional protection. Facilities should also consider decontamination procedures for equipment after a fire.
How should facilities handle health checks after a fire?
Post-event health checks should include both firefighters and facility operators. In the webinar, Ken Miller described adding operator health checks after a large fire in which an operator needed monitoring for smoke exposure and stress. Including operators in post-fire health screenings can help identify health concerns before staff leave the site.
What should facilities do about lithium battery recycling and public outreach?
Facilities should work with solid waste agencies, state regulators, manufacturers, retailers, and local partners to promote battery and battery-containing device collection. Outreach should clarify that “battery recycling” does not mean placing batteries in curbside recycling carts. Batteries and embedded battery products often need source-separated collection and special management to keep them out of waste and recycling streams.
How can policy help reduce facility fire risks?
Policy can support better management of batteries and battery-containing devices before they reach solid waste facilities. The webinar emphasized the importance of reviewing state legislation, advocating for extended producer responsibility or similar programs, and ensuring policies address both loose batteries and batteries embedded in products. Whether loose or embedded, batteries can create fire risks if they enter the waste or recycling stream.
What is the key takeaway for facility owners and operators?
Facility fires are a matter of when, not if. The best-prepared facilities document incidents, build relationships with responders, maintain current fire plans, train regularly, identify resources in advance, protect staff, and continuously improve after each event. Planning does not eliminate fires, but it helps teams respond faster, safer, and more effectively.
When a land trust, public agency, or community partner works to preserve open space, the public often sees the result: protected habitat, new recreational access, or cultural resources safeguarded for future generations. Less visible—but just as important—is the environmental due diligence that happens behind the scenes.
Environmental site assessments, All Appropriate Inquiries, and remediation planning help buyers and public-sector partners understand a property’s history, identify potential environmental liabilities, and determine whether land can be safely transferred, conserved, restored, or opened for public use.
Conservation Begins with Knowing the Land
Recent projects in Arizona show how environmental due diligence supports land preservation. SCS Engineers has conducted five Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for Trust for Public Land in recent years, helping evaluate environmental concerns before real estate transactions move forward. These assessments found no need for additional assessment, supporting preservation efforts that include culturally and ecologically significant land along the Lower Gila River and acreage connected to Saguaro National Park.
That early review matters because public land acquisitions often involve properties with long and complex histories. Former agricultural, ranching, industrial, mining, or developed sites may carry environmental questions that must be answered before a nonprofit, municipality, federal agency, or other public entity assumes ownership or stewardship responsibilities.
Environmental Due Diligence Reduces Risk and Supports Public Trust
Environmental due diligence is more than a transaction requirement. It is a practical risk-management tool that helps protect public dollars, project schedules, and long-term stewardship goals. Through Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and All Appropriate Inquiries, environmental professionals review historical records, inspect properties and adjoining land, evaluate regulatory records, and identify recognized environmental conditions that could affect acquisition, funding, liability, or future use.
For land trusts and public agencies, this process helps answer critical questions: Is the property suitable for transfer? Could contamination create unexpected cleanup costs? Are additional investigations needed? Can the buyer qualify for landowner liability protections? The answers help decision-makers proceed with confidence and avoid turning a conservation win into an unmanaged environmental obligation.
Environmental Due Diligence Resources:
SCS Engineers is excited to attend WEFTEC 2026, taking place September 26 -30 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. As the world’s largest annual water quality conference, WEFTEC brings together more than 23,000 water professionals, 950 exhibitors, and industry leaders to explore innovative technologies, practical solutions, and the future of water and wastewater management.
Members of the SCS team will be on site to connect with industry professionals, exchange ideas, and discuss the latest trends and challenges shaping the water and wastewater sector. We look forward to engaging with attendees, strengthening industry relationships, and sharing how SCS helps clients navigate complex environmental, water, and infrastructure challenges.
Senior Vice President Pat Sullivan announces a key leadership transition; Vidhya Viswanathan, previously SCS’s Director of Engineering in the Southwest, now assumes responsibility for the strategic direction and operational oversight of the Solid Waste Group, including the Engineering, Sustainable Materials Management, and Permitting and Compliance teams.
Vidhya has significantly advanced SCS’s solid waste engineering operations across the Southwest and influenced industry standards nationwide. Her leadership in technical areas like landfill gas engineering and composting demonstrates her exceptional expertise and dedication.
Vidhya began her career with the City of Lawton, Oklahoma, joining SCS in 2012 as a Young Professional and recognized regionally and nationally with prestigious awards. Now an SCS mentor with 20 years of experience in the solid waste and environmental consulting industry, she shares her knowledge and skills with young staff members as she progresses through leadership roles at SCS, including Senior Vice President and SCS Board Member. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Oklahoma and is based in SCS’s San Diego office.
Vidhya exemplifies the next generation of SCS leadership, combining strong technical expertise, a commitment to quality, and a proven ability to develop teams and deliver exceptional client service. Her vision and leadership are poised to enhance our service offerings, strengthen industry collaborations, and support SCS’s continued top ranking by ENR in the Waste Management industry.
Please join SCS in congratulating Vidhya on her promotion and new leadership role. We look forward to her guiding strategic initiatives that will advance our industry expertise and client solutions in the coming years.
SCS Engineers will sponsor and exhibit at The 35th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite this October 15th – 18th at Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp, CA. The 35h Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite brings together California’s top leaders in environmental, land use, and natural resources law. It’s the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the state. We hope you will join us and many of our nation’s top environmental officials, lawyers, and other professionals for four days of legal education and collegiality. Mark your calendars!
Join SCS Engineers as Silver Sponsors at the upcoming CRRA 2026 – Annual Conference and Trade Show, this August 30 – September 2, 2026, at the Sheraton San Diego Resort, in San Diego, California. As a Silver Sponsor, SCS Engineers is proud to participate in the conference themed “Rooted in California Values.” Each year, the California Resource Recovery Association organizes one of the most comprehensive and informative conferences dedicated to recycling and sustainable materials management in California and beyond. CRRA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show is where California’s recycling and sustainability community comes together. With 800+ attendees, 100+ industry expert speakers, and over 30 solution-packed sessions, it’s the must-attend event for anyone shaping the future of zero waste.
Join us in supporting this important event! Register now!
Join SCS Engineers as Sponsors and Exhibitors at the 2026 SDHF Annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference in San Diego, CA on October 1st, 2026. San Diego Housing Federation’s Annual Affordable Housing & Community Development Conference brings together more than 600 developers, builders, architects, lenders, property managers, service providers, elected and agency officials and staff, community, and business leaders to share innovative approaches to affordable housing, community, and economic development. Join us this year for the SDHF Annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference at the Marriott Marquis Thursday, October 1st.
More information and registration available here: 2026 Affordable Housing & Community Development Conference — San Diego Housing Federation
SCS Engineers Technical Bulletin: Understanding EPA’s Proposal to Provide States Greater Flexibility in Minor New Source Review (NSR) Public Participation Requirements
Executive Brief
This bulletin discusses EPA’s proposed changes to the federal minimum public participation requirements for minor NSR permitting programs and, more importantly, what those changes could mean for future project planning, permitting strategy, and plant or facility operations.
Why Should Management Care?
When I first reviewed EPA’s proposed rule, my initial reaction was that it appeared to be a relatively minor procedural change. The proposal does not change emission limits, modify permitting thresholds, or expand the applicability of the minor NSR program.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized this proposal is not really about public notice. It is about project planning. One lesson I have learned over the years is that permitting often becomes part of the project’s critical path. Delays in obtaining a permit can affect equipment procurement, construction schedules, startup dates, and ultimately project costs. That is why this proposal caught my attention; recognizing this helps management be in control and reassured about project timelines.
If EPA finalizes the rule, states and local air agencies—not EPA—will decide whether public notice and comment remain part of their minor NSR permitting programs. Some states may choose not to revise their permitting programs if their existing requirements already meet or exceed EPA’s minimum requirements.
The proposal itself does not shorten permitting schedules. Whether permitting becomes more efficient will depend on how individual states respond. For now, management should continue planning projects in accordance with today’s permitting requirements while monitoring future developments.
Questions Management Should Be Asking
Rather than asking whether EPA is changing the rule, I think management should be asking different questions.
Those are the questions and aims that will determine whether this proposal has any practical business value.
Plant Environmental and Compliance Perspective
From the perspective of the plant environmental manager, very little has changed today.
Permit applications currently being prepared should continue following existing state and local permitting requirements. Existing project schedules should not be modified in response to a proposed federal rule. However, environmental managers have an opportunity to begin discussing with plant management how this proposal could affect future projects. For example, if their state ultimately revises its permitting program, eliminating or reducing public notice requirements for certain minor NSR permits could shorten one step in the permitting process. Whether this ultimately saves a few days or several weeks will depend on how each state implements the final rule and how much time public participation currently adds to its permitting process.
One question I would expect from management is: “If EPA finalizes this proposal, could our next project move through permitting more quickly?”
Today, the honest answer is, “We do not know yet.”
That answer will depend on whether your state decides to revise its own permitting program. Environmental managers should continue to monitor the EPA’s rulemaking and future actions by their state or local permitting authority. They should also begin evaluating how any changes could affect their facility’s or plant’s permitting strategy, project schedules, and coordination with the permitting agency. As with many permitting issues, the most effective strategy will vary by state and by project.
Background
Current federal regulations require approved state minor NSR programs to include minimum public participation procedures before certain permitting actions are finalized. EPA is proposing to remove that federal minimum requirement. Importantly, EPA is not proposing to eliminate public participation nationwide. Instead, EPA is proposing to allow each state or local permitting authority to determine whether public notice and comment remain appropriate for its own permitting program.
This distinction is important because the proposal does not automatically change permitting procedures nationwide.
Strategic Considerations
The more interesting question is not whether the EPA finalizes this proposal. The more interesting question is what the states do next. Some states may conclude that their current permitting process works well and decide not to make any changes. Others may view this proposal as an opportunity to streamline routine permitting actions.
As someone who has worked with state permitting agencies for many years, I expect there will be a variety of responses rather than a single nationwide approach. Companies operating in multiple states already know that permitting requirements vary from state to state. If EPA finalizes this proposal, public participation could become another area where those differences exist. That is why facilities should continue to work closely with their permitting professionals and plan projects based on each state’s requirements rather than assuming a common national approach.
The SCS Engineers Perspective
One mistake I occasionally see is companies assuming that a proposed federal rule immediately changes how permits are issued. That is rarely the case. Even if EPA finalizes this proposal, many states would still need to determine whether changes to their own regulations are appropriate. Some may revise their permitting programs, while others may not.
From my perspective, facilities should continue planning projects in accordance with today’s permitting requirements. The proposal is worth watching—not because it changes permitting today—but because it may influence how permitting is administered several years from now. That is where the real business impact may occur.
For more information about EPA’s proposed rule, visit https://www.epa.gov/nsr.
For specific guidance or questions, please get in touch with SCS Engineers for an expert in your state, or the Author, John Tsun. John Tsun is a Project Director and SCS’s National Practice Leader for Industrial Clean Air Act (CAA) Services, with more than 35 years of experience leading complex environmental compliance projects. His background spans a wide range of industrial sectors, including petroleum, pharmaceutical, chemical, power generation, manufacturing, and government agencies.
On July 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced it will hold a virtual public workshop to support the development of the California Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 253, as amended by SB 219. See the link below.
CARB staff will provide an update on regulatory concepts for Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting requirements for 2027 and beyond, including data assurance. Staff will also discuss CARB’s proposed approach for Scope 3 emissions reporting beginning in 2027 (summarized below).
The workshop will be held virtually on Zoom (only) on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (Pacific Time). Register for virtual attendance.
Workshop materials are to be posted to the California Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting and Climate Related Financial Risk Disclosure Programs webpage on July 20, 2026. Staff plans to take verbal feedback during the workshop, with written feedback to be sent to .
CARB’s Proposed Options for Scope 3 Reporting (March 23, 2026, Workshop)
Option 1: Starting in 2027, all Scope 3 categories
Option 2: Industry Sector Phase-In for 2027
Option 3: Category Phase-In for 2027
Recap of Program
The California Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program under SB 253 requires U.S.-based companies, with total annual revenues exceeding one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) that do business in California, to annually disclose their Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions for their prior fiscal year. SB 253 requires that the initial (first-year) annual emissions disclosures in 2026 address Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and, in subsequent years (beginning in 2027), include Scope 3 emissions.
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