In March 2024, the EPA launched a new Office of Climate Adaptation and Sustainability that supports efforts to build resilience to climate change and promote sustainability in support of the agency’s mission and its partnerships. Federal agencies have been making progress in efforts to build adaptive capacity and resilience across federal operations.
Today’s publication of EPA’s 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan is part of a coordinated release of more than twenty federal agencies’ climate adaptation plans that highlight efforts across the federal government. The Plan describes agency actions to address the impacts of climate change and help build a more climate-resilient nation. The plan expands the agency’s efforts to ensure its programs, facilities, workforce, and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts.
Highlights from EPA’s 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan are included below.
Fostering a Climate-Ready Workforce – The EPA is building a climate-literate workforce through ongoing education and training to ensure staff are equipped with an understanding of projected climate impacts, the vulnerability of EPA programs to these impacts, and adaptation approaches. One example is the agency-wide Climate Conversations webinar series helping to build a community of practice and encourages peer-to-peer sharing of experiences.
Building Facility Resilience – EPA is continuing to conduct facility resiliency assessments to identify vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change and make recommendations to increase facility resilience.
Developing Climate-Resilient Supply Chains – EPA has included an assessment of climate hazard risk as part of its overall Agency Supply Chain Risk Management plan. The agency plans to conduct supply chain risk assessments under the Program Management Improvement Accountability Act and the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act in fiscal year 2024.
Integrating Climate Resilience into External Funding Opportunities – EPA is modernizing its financial assistance programs to encourage investments by communities and Tribes that are more resilient in an era of climate change. To support this effort, the EPA launched an internal Climate-Resilient Investments Clearinghouse website to help managers of financial assistance programs incorporate climate adaptation and resilience considerations in the investment decisions the EPA makes each day.
Applying Climate Data and Tools to Decision Making – EPA is equipping communities and the recipients of financial resources with the tools, data, information, and technical support they need to assess their climate risks and develop the climate-resilience solutions most appropriate for them.
Integrating Climate Adaptation into Rulemaking Processes – EPA is integrating climate adaptation into its rulemaking processes where appropriate and in keeping with our statutory authorities to ensure they are effective even as the climate changes. For example, on March 14, 2024, EPA finalized a rule requiring a broad array of facilities that manage hazardous materials to develop response plans to prepare for the largest foreseeable discharges in adverse weather conditions, including more extreme weather conditions expected as the climate changes. EPA is also committed to applying climate change and environmental justice policy principles through National Environmental Policy Act reviews.
Additional Climate Adaption Resources:
Join SCS Engineers at the Sustainability Delivery Summit from June 24 to June 26 at the Hyatt Regency Boston! This premier event, organized by Environment Analyst, brings together a global community of sustainability leaders with a unified mission: to translate sustainability goals into actionable steps.
Engage with sustainability and business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from the infrastructure and built environment sectors, along with technical solution providers in environmental consultancy, software, and engineering. This summit will empower you to focus on the delivery of climate commitments, develop collaborative strategies for a sustainable future, find partners to accelerate your sustainability journey, and reinforce the business case for ESG. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and drive impactful change.
Join SCS Engineers at WASTECON 2024 from October 21st – October 24th at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center! This premier event is the ultimate platform for leaders and engineers to come together, collaborate, and innovate towards a more sustainable future. At WASTECON 2024, you’ll have the chance to connect with SCS Engineers at booth 701. Meet our team of experts and leaders who are at the forefront of advancing sustainable practices in waste management.
Ketan Shah will be presenting Enhancing Landfill Gas (LFG) Modeling Through Emerging Technologies and Data Integration for Emission Reductions and Sustainable Energy on October 22nd from 8:30 – 9:15 am. The presentation will identify emerging technologies for improved LFG modeling, explain the benefits of enhanced LFG modeling for decision-making, and analyze the importance of data collection and integration for effective LFG modeling.
You’ll want to attend David Hostetter’s presentation, Smart Landfills: Transforming Waste Management with Remote Monitoring. Dave will explain how landfill owners and operators are using technology to create more efficient landfill operations.
Jeff Phillips will be presenting Facility Fires: 2AM Isn’t the Time to Make a Plan on October 22nd from 3:15-4:00 pm. This presentation provides an update on fires within the industry and present real-world case studies of fires so that we can learn from other events (the good and bad).
Stacey Dolden will be presenting Navigating Workforce Trends: Understanding and Adapting to Personnel Challenges Across All Job Functions on October 24th from 11am-12:15 pm. The discussion will explore what is happening in the industry and share strategies for effective recruitment and retention for a range of position types and levels.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to bridge the gap between leadership and technology, accelerate transformative change, and gain valuable insights to better serve your stakeholders. Improve your organization and operations while enriching your career and those of your team members. Register today and be a part of the future of sustainability with SCS Engineers at WASTECON 2024. See you at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center!
Join SCS Engineers as a Platinum Sponsor at the 40th Annual Environmental Training Symposium & Conference, held in-person at the San Diego Convention Center. This conference includes 25 educational sessions on three tracks running simultaneously over two days, May 13th-14th. The conference hosts a robust Exhibit Hall, an Awards Luncheon, and a San Diego Bay Yacht Cruise. Panels will cover topics including air, hazardous materials, health & safety, sustainability, and water quality, with expert speakers from Southern California.
Register today!
Join SCS Engineers at the 39th Annual Northwest Regional Symposium!
The Beaver Chapter of SWANA is happy to announce the return of the 39th Annual Northwest Regional Symposium, taking place May 1st – May 3rd, 2024, at the historic McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon. This years theme is Innovation: Shaping the Future of Materials Management.
Throughout the Symposium, participants will be able to engage in discussions, collaborative sessions, and hands-on workshops aimed at driving positive change and fostering innovation in the field of materials management. From exploring emerging technologies to addressing environmental challenges, the Symposium provides a holistic perspective on the evolving landscape of waste management and sustainability.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the field, this symposium offers invaluable insights, resources, and opportunities to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative experience in materials management!
Click here for more information and registration details.
Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 Food and Beverage Environmental Conference on April 16-19! The conference will be held at Hotel Effie in Miramar Beach, FL.
The 2024 Food and Beverage Environmental Conference (FBEC) is a premier gathering for environmental professionals in the food and beverage industry nationwide. Discover the latest trends in sustainability, water management, supply chain dynamics, air quality, environmental compliance, and professional development.
At the Food and Beverage Environmental Conference, delve into an array of topics crucial to environmental stewardship in the food and beverage sector. From craft breweries to pet food manufacturers, grocery stores, and stakeholders in nutrition, farming, and processing, explore the entire industry spectrum. Join us for insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
Click here for schedule, registration, and other conference details.
Join SCS Engineers at the 2024 Food and Beverage Environmental Conference on April 16-19! The conference will be held at Hotel Effie in Miramar Beach, FL.
The 2024 Food and Beverage Environmental Conference (FBEC) stands as the premier gathering for environmental professionals within the food and beverage industry across the United States. This event serves as a pivotal platform for exploring the latest trends and innovations influencing sustainability, water resource management, supply chain dynamics, air quality enhancement, environmental compliance, and professional development.
At the conference, attendees will be able to delve into a diverse array of topics crucial to environmental stewardship in the food and beverage sector. From craft breweries and distilleries to pet food manufacturers, grocery stores, and stakeholders involved in nutrition, farming, processing, transportation, distribution, and supply chain management, the Food and Beverage Conference encompasses the entire spectrum of industry involvement.
For more information and registration click here!
In the pursuit of a sustainable future, organizations increasingly use competitions to showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility. For example, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Better Climate Challenge drives energy efficiency, reduces pollution, and fosters financial savings for participating companies. Today’s blog explores how competitions like the Better Climate Challenge catalyze organizations to raise awareness, implement sustainable practices, and make significant strides towards a greener future.
The Better Climate Challenge sets ambitious goals for participating organizations. Companies then partner with the DOE to substantially reduce their portfolio-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1 & 2) by at least 50% within the next decade. This challenge spotlights environmental stewardship and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change. To illustrate the impact of such competitions, let’s use the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Better Buildings Challenge, a precursor to the Better Climate Challenge, as a case study.
Achieving Energy Reduction
Douglas Latulippe worked with a major national pharmaceutical store chain while participating in the Better Buildings Challenge. Participation required developing comprehensive energy strategies, including demand-side energy conservation measures such as HVAC upgrades, optimization, and controls, high-efficiency lighting and controls, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for Rooftop Units (RTUs), chiller plant and thermal energy storage, Retro-Commissioning (RCx), and automatic demand response (ADR).
The pharmaceutical chain’s commitment to energy efficiency resulted in an impressive overall energy reduction across all buildings of 17.5%, with some buildings experiencing a reduction of up to 30%. The cumulative impact of these measures resulted in substantial savings of 30 million kWh/yr of electricity and over 100,000 therms/yr of natural gas — eliminating over 21,500 metric tons of CO2 equivalent each year.
Beyond the environmental benefits, these initiatives translate into a noteworthy annual cost savings of over $3 million with a simple payback of under two years. Utility incentives and rebates also helped achieve this impressive return.
Partnering for Efficiencies
Participating in energy efficiency challenges fights climate change and saves money by creating win-win scenarios for industry and the environment. SCS Engineers works with clients similarly, creating wins from plan development and project execution to advance sustainability that meets financial and social goals and closing gaps between plans and actual achievements toward carbon reduction goals.
Mr. Latulippe is responsible for developing and supporting SCS’s nationwide energy management and renewable energy practice. His work includes services related to our air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG), and sustainability practices for public and private commercial businesses, industrial facility owners, real estate clients, utilities, and renewable energy project developers. His experience includes managing energy portfolios, including capital and operating budget development, power generation, demand-side project and program development, bill management and reporting, and utility incentive program management. He also performed energy audits and GHG reporting for Fortune 500 companies. As part of his power generation experience, Mr. Latulippe patented a solid-fuel gasification system designed for environmental mitigation and pollution control. In addition, the EPA recognized Mr. Latulippe for his extensive work with the ENERGY STAR program.
Join SCS Engineers at Green Technology’s Sustainable Facilities Forum on May 9 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Sacramento, CA.
The conference will highlight strategies, best practices and technologies behind successful public sector facility projects. The event includes access to education sessions, live keynote, annual leadership awards presentations and to the sustainable products and services displays.
The concurrent sessions offer insights from the experts and practitioners at the leading edge of green progress, in fields ranging from transportation and energy to funding, architecture and green schools. Stroll through the exhibit space and discover dozens of green products and services all in one place. Find out what’s new and get an intensive, hands-on education that’s not available anywhere else!
The Forum is designed for public and private sector professionals engaged in facility project design, decarbonization, water conservation, electric vehicle and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Check the conference site for more details and information.
Speak with SCS Engineers solid waste experts and SCS Engineers field services professionals at Waste Expo, May 6-9, in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Come visit us at BOOTH 2907.
SCS Engineers expert, Tom Rappolt, will lead a compelling session titled “Private Equity, Friend or Foe? Battling Odor Class Action Lawsuits. Delve into the intricate dynamics of private equity involvement in waste management and the legal complexities surrounding odor-related class action lawsuits.
Session Name: Private Equity, Friend or Foe? Battling Odor Class Action Lawsuits
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Presenter and Panelist: Tom Rappolt
Unveiling the Soil Revolution: Navigating Permitting Challenges, Embracing Technologies, and Integrating AD in Composting. Join SCS Engineers, expert Pat Sullivan as he explores the forefront of composting innovation and the intricacies of regulatory hurdles.
Session Name: Composting: Permitting Challenges, Technologies, Integrating AD
Session Date and Time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Session Location: Room: W222-223
Presenter and Panelist: Pat Sullivan
Dive into the realm of organic waste management with Jeff Phillips from SCS Engineers as he sheds light on ‘Stakeholder Strategic Planning for Organics Management in Iowa.’
Session Name: Stakeholder Strategic Planning for Organics Management in Iowa
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Session Location: Track 2, Room: W223, 8:00 – 9:30 am
Presenter and Panelist: Jeff Phillips
At Waste Expo, you can connect with 13,000 of your peers and over 600 exhibitors. This is one event that pays dividends all year long. Preview the latest vehicles, tune in to the latest technology, and learn the latest curriculum to improve the environment. For over 50 years, WasteExpo has provided an outstanding event experience in the solid waste, recycling and organics industry.
Numerous summits will be co-located with Waste Expo, including the Food Recovery Forum & Organics Recycling program, where you can interact with SCS Engineers Organics Management and Food Recovery experts. You can also speak to our experts at Sustainability Talks and several other exciting programs.
Click here for more conference details and registration information.
We hope to see you there!
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