The Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater Philadelphia

PADEP Annual Update and SWEP Business Meeting

Angela — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:19:37 +0000

Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013

RSVP: Click HERE to RSVP by close of business Friday, June 7, 2013

Location: PADEP Southeast Regional Office
2 East Main Street Norristown, PA 19401

Schedule: Registration/Networking: 8:30 – 9:00 am
Regulatory Update Program: 9:00 am until 12:00 noon
Lunch and Annual Business Meeting: 12:00 Noon – 2:00 pm

Cost: Members $15
Non-Members $25
Students: No charge, but RSVP required.

CLE/PDH: SWEP has applied for 3 Substantive Pennsylvania CLE credits for this program. In your RSVP, indicate if you require a certificate of attendance for: Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits, Continuing Education Units (CEU), or Professional Development Hours (PDH)

Coffee and breakfast goodies graciously provided by SWEP DEP members. Lunch will be provided by SWEP.

Electronics Recycling: SWEP has teamed with PlanetGreen Recycling to help you recycle your old electronics. (more information)

SWEP Philadelphia is pleased to announce that the PA DEP Annual Update Meeting and SWEP Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the PA DEP Southeast Regional Office in Norristown, PA on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Southeast Regional Director Mr. Cosmo Servidio will start this exciting program with a view of the State of the Region. Discussions of specific updates in Air Regulations and Permitting, Water Quality, Vapor Intrusion, and Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Programs will follow. The full agenda of speakers and topics is provided below.

The SWEP Philadelphia Annual Membership Meeting will begin immediately following the PADEP Update and a catered lunch will be provided. We encourage all SWEP members to stay and participate. Bring your ideas and creativity – this is your chance to get more involved and have a say in where SWEP Philadelphia goes next!

Agenda for PADEP Annual Update:

8:30 am: Registration/Check-in

9:00 am: Welcome Lynda Rebarchak, PA DEP Community Relations & Sonya Ward, SWEP

9:15 am: State of the Region Cosmo Servidio, Southeast Regional Director

9:45 am: Air Regulations and Permitting Update Sachin Shankar, Air Quality Permits Chief

10:15 am: Water Quality Update Jen Fields, Clean Water Program Manager

10:45 am: Vapor Intrusion Update C. David Brown, P.G., Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields Program

11:15 am: Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Programs Heather Cowley, Regional Energy Manager & Lynda Rebarchak, Community Relations

12:00 pm: Catered Lunch and Networking

12:30 pm: SWEP Annual Meeting and Election, The Year in Review Beth Hyde, Roux Associates, SWEP Chair

1:00 pm: Program Ideas and Touchstone Reception Kick Off

3:00 pm: Adjourn

Thank you to PA DEP for their ongoing participation in this annual event and for generously allowing SWEP to hold this meeting at the PA DEP Norristown Office!

Getting There: PA DEP’s Southeast Regional Office is located at 2 East Main Street in Norristown, PA (484-250-5900) across Main Street from the Montgomery County Courthouse. Parking: Parking is available in several garages on Main and Lafayette streets. Public Transit: The Norristown Transportation Center, located directly behind the PA DEP building on Lafayette Street, is served by SEPTA’s Route 100 Suburban Rail Line, 69th Street Terminal to Norristown and SEPTA’s R6 Regional Rail Line, Center City to Norristown. SEPTA also has many bus routes that come into Norristown’s Transportation Center. For further questions regarding these routes and schedules call SEPTA at 610 734-1300 or go to http://www.septa.org.

PlanetGreen Recycling Event at the PADEP Regulatory Update

Angela — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:54 +0000

Do you have inkjets, old cell phones and other small electronics sitting around collecting dust? Bring any of the items listed below to the PADEP Regulatory Update on June 11, 2013 and get rid of them for good! These items will be recycled through PlanetGreen with all proceeds going to the SWEP Scholarship fund.

Acceptable Items:

Inkjets Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Dell, Canon, and many more!
Cell Phones Apple, Blackberry, LG, Motorola, and many more!
Small Electronics GPS Devices, MP3 players, iPods, PDAs, cameras/camcorders, calculators, tablets, Ebook readers, Radar detectors, video game consoles/accessories/games.

For more information on acceptable items visit www.planetgreenrecycle.com

DID YOU KNOW…?

Inkjet Cartridges /Toners – It is estimated that 13 inkjet cartridges are discarded every second -For every 100,000 used toner cartridges recycled, we can save 9599 kilograms of aluminum, 40 tons of plastic, and 1,000,000 liters of oil -Only one of every 500 cartridges is recycled in the U.S.

Cell Phones/ PDAs – It is estimated that cell phones/PDAs are discarded after 18 months of use -Over 2 million cell phones/PDAs will be buried in landfills per week -PDAs and cell phones are made of precious metals, copper and plastics, all of which require massive amounts of energy to mine and manufacture

IPods/MP3s – iPods/MP3s are not just 10,000 songs in your pocket. The heavy metals that they are made of also represent toxic waste that will spend the next 10,000 years in a landfill -52 grams of polycarbonate go into every iPod package -Although polycarbonate itself is environmentally sound and recyclable, it still needs toxic chemicals to produce it. 1 iPod produces 68 lbs. of C0 2

Digital Cameras – Camera batteries are made up of mercury, nickel, and other toxic materials that can leak out and seep into the ground water supply -Like PDAs and cell phones, cameras are made of precious metals, copper and plastics, all of which require massive amounts of energy to mine and manufacture

5K Run/3K Walk for Clean Air

Angela — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:05:42 +0000

Thank you to the folks who participated with SWEP for the 32nd Annual 5K Run/3K Walk for Clean Air Hosted by Clean Air Council! It was a chilly day but once we all got moving it wasn’t so bad! Click here to see pictures from the event!

SWEP hosts March 2013 New Jersey Vapor Intrusion Update

Angela — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:05:53 +0000

Copies of the presentations are available for download here: Boyer: NJDEP; Elcoate: Alpha; Borelli/Moshang-MGKF.

On March 26, 2013, 50 environmental professionals joined SWEP of Greater Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Bar Association offices for a technical program focused on the January and March 2013 changes to New Jersey’s Vapor Intrusion Technical Guidance (VITG), version 3. In addition to changes to the VITG, the presentations also covered practical aspects of application of the VITG, and a discussion of real-life scenarios and some of the legal implications and cases currently facing the regulated community.

John Boyer, a principal in developing vapor intrusion policy for the NJDEP provided an overview of the January and March 2013 VITG and revisions to and implementation of the revised Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels (VISLs). Will Elcoate (Air Programs Manager at Alpha Analytical) discussed the laboratory requirements in methods, quality assurance aspects (including the new requirement for a Quality Assurance Project Plan) required to generate data of known quality, and field sampling protocols, complete with example sampling set ups. Darryl Borelli (Technical Consultant at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP) and Nicole Moshang, Esq. (Partner at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP) provided overviews of the practical considerations of vapor intrusion investigations, management of risk to the regulated community, and litigation concerns.

SWEP of Greater Philadelphia appreciates the support of program sponsor Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP in bringing a program on this timely topic to our members.

Corporate Sustainability: Mission, Impacts and Challenges

Angela — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:22:31 +0000

Date: Thursday May 2, 2013

Prior registration is needed due to badging required to access this conference room at the facility. Building visitors must present a photo ID.

Location: PECO, Green Roof Conference Room
2301 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101

Schedule: Building Check In Starts: 8:00 am
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Program Start/End Time: 8:30 – 11:15 am

Cost: $10 for Members
$20 for Non-Members
Free for Students

Continental Breakfast will be provided.

Contact: Elaine Feldman, eff102@earthlink.net; 610-399-4581
Getting There: Parking: See http://philadelphia.bestparking.com/ for parking locations nearby. Public Transit: Short walk from 30^th Street Station

Keeping it Green!
Presentations will be available (as pdf) following the program; but there will be no paper handouts.

Thank you to Our Sponsors!
SWEP Greater of Philadelphia thanks PECO for their generous sponsorship of this event, for allowing the use of the PECO Green Roof Conference Room & for their ongoing support of SWEP of Greater Philadelphia!

Program Summary:

Certainly since before NEPA, the understanding of business impacts, social responsibility, profitability and how best to meet them has evolved from “Dilution is the Solution” to recognition of “cradle to cradle” impact and beyond. Many companies recognize the need for and obligation to truly address and integrate Sustainability [for social, environmental and economic robustness], concept to comprehensive practice. Companies are certainly leaning systems, reaping gains and challenging obstacles. Julie O’Brien and Denise Molzahn will share their experience doing this work in their companies in the chemical and aerospace/defense industries; mission development, progress and challenges. Elaine Feldman will briefly share opportunities that Environmental or EHS professionals have to use their vantage point to significantly impact this mission. Jim Fava will share his experience assisting companies use sustainability to inform total business decisions and create business value. He has been closely involved internationally in developing meaningful Life Cycle Assessment to better understand the risk and opportunities associated wtih the full life cycle of products.

Technical Program:

8:30 – 8:40 am Introduction / Program Overview

8:40 – 8:50 am PECO’s Green Roof and short film/PECO-Stephanie Everett-Johnson

8:50- 9:05 am Introduction of topic and Leveraging your Environmental or EHS role to drive Sustainability/ Elaine Feldman

9:05 – 9:35 am The sustainability program, progress and challenges at Lockheed Martin/Denise Molzahn

9:35 – 9:45 am Short Break

9:45 – 10:15am The sustainability program, progress and challenges at Air Products and Chemicals/ Julie O’Brien- Air Products

10:15-10:45 am The challenge and keys to developing more sustainable products /Jim Fava PE INTERNATIONAL

10:45 –11:15 am Panel Question & Answer Session / Closing Remarks

Program Speaker Profiles:

Dr. James Fava, Senior Director, Strategy and Business Development PE INTERNATIONAL, Dr. Fava was a Founder and Senior Director at Five Winds Strategic Consultants, now known as PE INTERNATIONAL. As Senior Director at PE INTERNATIONAL, their goal is to help companies understand sustainability, develop business strategies and actions to improve the firm’s performance and succeed in the marketplace. They have developed best business practices, techniques, tools (one is LCA) and processes that help well-respected firms achieve leadership in sustainability. For firms who are now asking about how can sustainability help me, or even if it can, they use their 20 years of experiences in the sustainability space to move you faster and more efficiency along your journey. He is current Strategic Director for the Electric Utility Supply Chain Sustainability Alliance.

He is founder of the SETAC LCA Advisory Group and headed the U.S. delegation in the development of ISO LCA standards. He is currently chair of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative and served on the World Resources Institute (WRI) / World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Steering Committee for the Scope 3 and Product GHG Protocol efforts. For nearly 20 years, he has directed (and founded) the Product Sustainability Roundtable whose mission is to improve the performance of member companies by providing support and benchmarking and best practice advice to their product-oriented programs. He received a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. He is regularly invited to speak at engagements throughout the world.

Julie K. O’Brien, Corporate Sustainability Director, Air Products and Chemicals. Ms. O’Brien has over 25 years working in the chemical industry in Engineering, EH&S, risk and sustainability roles. She was appointed to Corporate Sustainability at Air Products in June 2010. She is responsible for integrating sustainability into company businesses and work processes, working closely with Air Products’ Sustainability Council and senior managers to develop and achieve the company’s sustainability strategy. She joined Air Products in 1986 as a participant in the company’s Career Development Program with an initial assignment in manufacturing at the company’s chemical facility in Pasadena, TX. She subsequently moved to Allentown, PA as a process engineer supporting chemicals manufacturing. In 1993 Ms. O’Brien became manager of Air Products’ Environmental Technology Group. She joined Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) in 1996 as manager of Responsible Care®. After several years, Ms. O’Brien became manager of Corporate Public Relations primarily supporting risk and crisis communications. In 2000 she returned to EH&S in the company’s Product Safety department where she managed global regulatory compliance and product risk assessments.

Ms. O’Brien received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1986 and an M.S. degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University in 1996. She is a member of the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care Committee, and co-chairs the Communications and Sustainability Credentials committees of the Center of Sustainable Technology Practices, part of the Institute for Sustainability at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.).

Denise Molzahn, P.E., Environmental Engineer, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) business area. Ms. Molzahn has over 25 years of industry and consulting experience in environmental compliance and risk management. In her role in the Energy Utilization and Sustainability group, she assists in strategic management, planning, and integration of sustainability initiatives into programs and lines of business. Under the corporate Go Green program, she is responsible for monitoring and reporting IS&GS performance against energy, water, and waste reduction goals, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions, and managing communications to enhance employee engagement in Go Green initiatives. Denise has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. In addition, she is a Certified Sustainability Professional through the International Society of Sustainability Professionals and a Lean Six Sigma Certified Green Belt (Black Belt certification in progress).

Elaine Feldman, PE, LEED AP, Environmental and Sustainability Professional. Ms. Feldman has overseen, developed and implemented multimedia environmental, energy and sustainability programs in heavy industry, in hands-on and corporate oversight positions and consulted for smaller companies/organizations for over 25 years. At Caloric Corp., she held progressive roles, Managing Corp. Environment and Energy. At Zeneca Ag Products she was the Environmental Lead for North America. More recently she has consulted to companies such as the innovative technology startup BlackGold Biofuels and was the Environmental Engineer, with comprehensive environmental and sustainability responsibility at the automotive start-up Fisker Automotive, readying the old GM plant to manufacture electric-hybrid automobiles. Over the years, she has learned from and influenced on the plant floor and into the executive suite. She has pioneered and driven numerous initiatives and programs that returned dramatic annual operating costs savings, simplified operations, reduced footprint, reduced risk and significantly reduced regulatory compliance complexity and obligation. Active in the Sustainable Business community, she has developed and taught 400 level courses in sustainability and regulatory affairs at LaSalle University. She earned Bachelor Degrees in Environmental Resources Management and in Biology, a certificate in Marine Science and a Masters in Environmental Pollution Control from Pennsylvania State University. She is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Pennsylvania, a LEED AP, and holds a Class III Waste Water Treatment Plant operators license in the state of Delaware.

Green Smarts Party

Angela — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:44:56 +0000

RSVP by 5pm on Thursday April 18, 2013
Click Here to register

Help us congratulate SWEP’s 2013 Scholarship and grant recipients! Join SWEP Greater Philadelphia for our annual Green Smarts Party. We will be honoring our scholarship recipients; Emily Rivers (Undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College) and Meghan Kelley (Graduate at Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University) as well as the winners of our annual grants; Girl Scout Troop 555/GSEP- Junior Troop of Springfield, PA, WH2O Journal, the Fairmount Water Works- Urban Water Sheds summer camp, and sponsorship of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County’s Envirothons. Learn about impressive students and environmental programs while you network and mingle with other environmental professionals.

Wine, sandwiches, and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

SWEP of Greater Philadelphia thanks Saul Ewing for generously allowing SWEP Greater Philadelphia to use their conference room!

Time: Registration – 5:30 pm

Program Start/End – 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Location: Saul Ewing’s Office

1500 Market Street, 38th Floor (Conference Room 38D)

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Cost: $20 for members/nonmembers and $10 for students

Contact: Christina Arlt, swep.scholar.phila@gmail.com with any questions

Getting There:

Parking: See http://philapark.org for parking locations nearby.

Public Transit: Proximate to 15th Street Station, City Hall Station, and Suburban Station

Join the SWEP Team for the Clean Air 5K Run/3K Walk

Angela — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:23:36 +0000

Come Join SWEP’s team at the 32nd Annual Clean Air 5K on April 20, 2013! SWEP is also organizing a 3K walking team. Register HERE.

The 5K Run for Clean Air is a unique opportunity to connect with thousands of involved and active individuals across the region. By becoming a 5K Run for Clean Air sponsor you become an important part of the largest community effort to celebrate the region’s environmental successes and spur us all to do more for the environment.

The 5K Run for Clean Air has something for everyone to enjoy!

5K Run:
A flat, fast, scenic course along MLK Drive.
9:00 AM Start
Cost is $25/participant ($5 discount)

3K Walk:
A fun and spirited stroll to celebrate Earth Day.
9:10 AM Start
Cost is $25/participant ($5 discount)

Kids Fun Run:
A 1/2 mile fun run for ages 6 – 12 and 250 yard dash for ages 5 & under.
9:45 AM Start
$10 if pre-registered (before 4/15, SWEP is not registering kids for the fun run)

For More information on this event hosted by the Clean Air Council http://5krunforcleanair.org/

A Brilliant! Evening

Angela — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:37:31 +0000

It was a Brilliant! idea which turned into a fabulous evening; and we have Beth Hyde, SWEP President, who it dreamed it up and Joanna Waldron, SWEP Board Member, who made it into reality, to thank for it. On Thursday March 7, close to 40 SWEP of Greater Philadelphia members gathered for an evening of socializing and networking at The Field House followed by a wondrous visit to the Philadelphia Flower Show. The theme of this year’s show, the oldest of its kind in the nation, was the faire isles of Britain, and it did not disappoint. London in flowers greeted the women of SWEP- Big Ben, cricket clubs and country cottages. An Alice in Wonderland garden and an ode to the Beatles amazed on-lookers and stirred up memories of childhood and dreams of our youth.

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with and talk to SWEP members over a drink and munchies and then connect a bit more intimately in small groups as we gazed upon the lovely and breath-taking displays of color, shapes, arrangements, and creative imaginings at the Flower Show. The evening was such a success, the Program Committee will take note to add the Flower Show Networking evening to our annual compilation of events. Again, many thanks to Joanna Waldron and Beth Hyde for initiating and coordinating the event, and Angela Powley for getting the word out and the registration page up and running on the SWEP website.

For more on future programs and events please visit, http://swepweb.com/events/.

NJDEP Vapor Intrusion Technical Guidance Update

Angela — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:49:17 +0000

Vapor intrusion regulations, guidance, and technology are constantly changing — and the costs of falling behind may be extremely high both in terms of project schedule and costs. In January 2013, NJ DEP released Version 3 of the Vapor Intrusion Technical Guidance (VITG). Please join SWEP Greater Philadelphia for a program where DEP’s changes to the VITG will be reviewed by Mr. John Boyer (co-author of the past two versions of the VITG, and co-author and Chair of the DEP/Stakeholder Vapor Intrusion Guidance Committee for VITG v.3). Mr. William Elcoate, National Air Account Manager for Alpha Labs will discuss analytical methods and QAPP requirements, data review, and data usability. Mr. Darryl Borelli, Technical Consultant at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP will discuss cases studies, best practices, potential project problems, and considerations and implications of sampling and remediation.

Location: Philadelphia Bar Association, 11^th Floor Conference Center
1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Schedule:   Building Check In Starts:    8:00 am
Registration:                   8:15 – 8:30 am
                  Program Start/End Time:   8:30 – 10:30 am

Continental Breakfast will be provided.
Building visitors must present a photo ID.

Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $20, Students – No charge

RSVP: 5 pm Friday, March 22, 2013 at http://www.swep.wildapricot.org/Admin/Default.aspx

Contact: Sonya Ward, sward@h2m.com or 862-207-5900 Ext. 2216

CEC or CLE: LSRP CEC and PA CLE credit applications are pending.

Getting There: Parking: See http://philadelphia.bestparking.com/ for parking locations nearby.
Public Transit: Adjacent to Market East Station.

Program Speakers:
John E. Boyer, Environmental Scientist, NJ DEP and ITRC Vapor Intrusion Training Co-Lead
William (Will) Elcoate, National Air Account Manager, Alpha Analytical
Darryl D. Borelli, Technical Consultant, Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP

“Brilliant” Networking with SWEP at the Philadelphia Flower Show!

Angela — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:42:12 +0000

Presale discounted PHS Flower Show Tickets through SWEP are SOLD OUT, however you can still get tickets online (www.http://theflowershow.com). Can’t wait to see you all there! Don’t Forget the Happy Hour 5:30 to 6:30 location has been changed to The Field House, 1150 Filbert Street, connected to the PA Convention Center!

The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia is going to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show! Join SWEP Greater Philadelphia on Thursday March 7, 2013 for an evening of networking with some British flair at the world’s longest running and largest flower show. This year’s theme is “Brilliant!” and will feature a floral rendition of London, complete with displays of Big Ben, rose gardens, cricket clubs and country cottages.

Meet SWEP members for happy hour at The Field House from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. We will then walk over to the Pennsylvania Convention Center as a group at 6:30 pm to enjoy one of Philadelphia’s earliest signs of Spring!

What: Happy Hour & 2013 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show http://theflowershow.com/

Date: Thursday March 7, 2013

Time: 5:30 – 6:30 pm at The Field House for networking and drinks
6:30 – 9:30 pm at Philadelphia Flower Show (the Flower Show closes at 9:30 pm)

Cost: Presale discounted PHS Flower Show Tickets through SWEP are SOLD OUT
Drinks at The Field House are the responsibility of the attendee.

Where: The Field House is located at 1150 Filbert Street, connected to the PA Convention Center. SWEP will be in the semi-private Upstairs Loft at The Field House. We will then walk to Pennsylvania Convention Center, located at 12^th and Arch and meet up with other attendees.

If you have already purchased a ticket but cannot meet us before 6:30 for Happy Hour, please plan to pick up your ticket from your friendly SWEP coordinator at the Will Call ticket area in the convention center before 6:45 pm. If you don’t make it there before 6:45 your ticket will be left at will call and hopefully you will be able to find the group when you get inside.

Getting There: GO GREEN! SWEP encourages its members to take public transportation to this event! The Convention Center is connected to SEPTA’s Market East Regional Rail Station, and close to the Market Frankford Line, bus routes, PATCO’s high speed line, and several New Jersey Transit bus stops. To plan your trip, visit septa.org, ridepatco.org, or njtransit.com.

Parking: Parking options around the Convention Center include: 11^th & Arch; 45 North 10^th Street; 1201 Filbert Street; and 1030 Race Street. See http://theflowershow.com/show-info/directions-parking/

All proceeds of the PHS Flower Show support the urban greening program, including City Harvest.