The presentations discussed the Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule as it applies to petroleum and natural gas systems. The rule requires those facilities whose combined annual emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄) and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) exceed 25,000 Metric Tons CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e), to report 2011 emissions to EPA by March 31, 2012.  Measurement, collection and recordkeeping are very extensive and compliance is enforceable under the Clean Air Act.  EPA provides applicability tools enabling sources to determine whether they are likely to exceed the 25,000 MT threshold.  The presentations discussed examples of applicability tool use, data collection, and emission calculation.

Our thanks to John O'Malley and David E. Downard for making their presentations available to view or download using the following links:

Greenhouse Gas Reporting - Oil & Gas Systems

Greenhouse Gas Reporting - Subpart W

Dr. Bryan W. Shaw of Bryan was appointed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by Gov. Rick Perry on Nov. 1, 2007.   The Texas Senate confirmed his appointment on May 5, 2009 and he was appointed chairman on Sept. 10, 2009.

Shaw is an associate professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department of Texas A&M University (TAMU) with many of his courses focused on air pollution engineering.   The majority of his research at TAMU concentrates on air pollution, air pollution abatement, dispersion model development and emission factor development.  Shaw was formerly associate director of the Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science, and formerly served as Acting Lead Scientist for Air Quality and Special Assistant to the Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Howard Gilberg is a nationally-recognized business attorney specializing in Environmental Law, focusing most recently on air quality regulation and permitting issues.  Mr. Gilberg is uniquely qualified in, among other things, the legal, regulatory, political and technical issues facing the DFW non-attainment area and its business community in the State Implementation Plan process.  He is one of three business community representatives on the Board of the North Texas Clean Air Steering Committee, which has presented local SIP options to the TCEQ for over 10 years.  He has chaired the North Texas Clean Air Coalition, the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce's Environmental Committee, the Dallas Bar and State Bar Environmental Sections and is a partner in the environmental law firm of Guida, Slavich & Flores, P.C.

Pete Wahl's slide presentation on the regulation of greenhouse gases in Texas is available for viwewing at this link.

Our thanks to Pete Wahl for making his slide presentation available and for speaking on the regulatory background of greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation and permitting, litigation surrounding GHG rules, the New Source Review tailoring rule, and EPA permitting of GHG emissions in Texas.  

Pete Wahl is a Partner in the Environmental practice group of Jackson Walker L.L.P. in Dallas. Mr. Wahl's work addresses a broad range of environmental matters, with emphasis in the energy sector, including air permitting, counseling regarding the scope and impact of oil and gas air regulations, evaluation of municipal regulation of oil and gas exploration and production; resolution of produced water discharge permitting issues, and settlement of alleged regulatory noncompliance claims

Mr. Wahl serves as the Chair of the Dallas Bar Association's Environmental Law Section and has served on its Executive Council from 2002 to present.  He is a Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation.  Mr. Wahl is a member of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources and the State Bar of Texas' Environmental and Natural Resources Section.

John Dugdale is a partner in the Environmental/Toxic Tort practice group of Gordon & Rees.   Mr. Dugdale previously served as the hazardous waste expert with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters’ Criminal Enforcement Program.  He also served as Senior Attorney in the Superfund Division of the Dallas Regional Environmental Protection Agency Office, where he continued his involvement with the criminal enforcement program prosecuting a variety of criminal, civil, and administrative litigation.  

Mr. Dugdale currently advises and counsels clients on complex Superfund emergency response, remedial, and cost recovery/contribution matters as well as complex environmental regulatory matters arising under all environmental media.  He has contested and resolved environmental regulatory matters and enforcement actions before federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as state environmental agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Justice, and numerous other state environmental regulatory agencies.

Jenny Danieau works on the Air Quality Policy and Program Development Team in the Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.  She serves as the lead for numerous projects that improve air quality, such as the Electric Vehicles North Texas program.  Jenny is also responsible for the development of various transportation-related programs that involve technologies to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change.

Her slide presentation, "The Advancement of Plug-In Vehicles" is available.   Click here to download it.

Christine M. Ruffner and Stephanie K. Smith of Cantey Hanger spoke about the bases of liability for environmental engineers and consultants.   They provided examples of cases in which courts and juries have found environmental consultants and engineers liable for work performed, and provided suggestions of protective language to include in contracts.

Our thanks to them for providing their slide presentation,
"Me? Liable? Avoiding Legal Pitfalls" (6.3 MB, PDF) for North Texas environmental professionsals to view.
To download or view their presentation, click here.

This board meeting was open to all NTx A&WMA members and anyone interested in finding out more about the chapter.   After our board meeting, there was an informal social hour for those enviro folks interested in mingling and networking.   Thanks to those who attended for making it a great evening!

We are very grateful to A&WMA President Gwen Eklund for taking time to speak at our May 2010 chapter meeting.   Gwen Eklund's slide presentation on Management of Greenhouse Gases is available to view or download here.

Ms. Eklund is also the Chairperson for ASTM International's workgroup “WK21808 - New Guide for A Basic Assessment and Management of Greenhouse Gases”.   The WK21808 standard provides options for communicating and planning greenhouse gas (GHG) management, as well as environmental assessment and risk management strategies for business and government facilities, even those currently outside of voluntary and regulatory schemes.

Lisa London, Executive Director of UTA's Division for Enterprise Development, gave a very informative presentation about some of the projects and services provided by the Center for Environmental Excellence.   Services offered include numerous environmental health and safety-related courses and professional certification programs.   In addition, the Center is involved in environmental projects funded by regulatory entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as well as projects sponsored by private and other public entities.  Offices and staff are located in Houston and Austin, in addition to Arlington.  

Ms. London discussed services such as a Safety Health and Environmental Professional Training Course, Pollution Prevention Workshops, an EPA Lead Removal Course, Erosion & Sediment Control, the Zero Waste Network, Drinking Water Reports/Consumer Confidence reports, Implementation of TCEQ's Houston Local Air Compliance Program, and Petroleum Storage Tank Investigations.

Check out the Center for Environmental Excellence website for more information.  Ms. London mentioned that they currently have 26 environmental positions open for their latest contract with TCEQ & EPA related to petroleum storage tanks.

The North Texas A&WMA Chapter participated in EarthFest 2009 at Pegasus Plaza in downtown Dallas.  EarthFest is a street fair with food, music, and lots to see.   A variety of acts and activities take place on the event's two stages throughout the day.  Face painters, balloon artists and much more add to the fun!   EarthFest offers a unique window into the environment through over seventy exhibits seldom gathered in one place.   Experts are on hand to demonstrate, answer questions and discuss.

After EarthFest, North Texas A&WMA members and friends met for a social gathering at Campisi's Restaurant in downtown Dallas.

• Understand the environmental performance implications of Lean trends and the connections between Lean and Clean Manufacturing approaches to process improvement.
• Provide an overview of Lean wastes and learn to see lean opportunities for improvement and additional opportunities for savings in materials, energy, water and utility consumption, or pollution prevention/mitigation.

• Assign and track responsibilities,
• Streamline documentation,
• Support perpetual audits,
• Ensure regulatory updates, and
• Create a compliance culture.