EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to Testify on EPA’s 2010 Budget Proposal
May 2009: US EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced an increase of the agency budget for fiscal year 2010 from $3.4 billion to $10.5 billion. Jackson highlighted increases in state funding of clean water programs to upgrade and create potable water systems, expanding the number of sites that would become Superfund sites and receive support for cleanup of toxic pollution.
Additionally, Jackson is calling for key changes to the air quality process for reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA is reinstating the role of a key policy document created by agency scientists that contains staff analyses of options for the administrator to consider when setting air quality standards.
Shell and Burlington Argue CERCLA Liability Before Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments
On Arranger Liability, Apportionment
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Feb. 24 debating liability under the superfund law (Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. United States, U.S., No. 07-1601, oral arguments 2/24/09).
The arguments focused on defining parties that arrange for the disposal of hazardous waste and on when it is appropriate to apportion liability in cost recovery actions instead of imposing joint and several liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
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PNL Hosts a Sediment Training Workshop
Project Navigator, Ltd. recently hosted a 1-day Sediment Training Workshop in Houston, TX on August 28, 2008. There were ~60 PMs in attendance from various companies including BASF, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, FMC, Lyondell, Shell and Waste Management.
The Workshop showcased experts in sediments assessment and remediation, as discussion leaders. The feedback to date has been extremely positive and we would like to thank everyone involved for making the event a success!
PNL Brings Wireless Technology to BKK
A Wi-Fi system has been implemented at the BKK landfill! PNL, with much help from SCS site staff, has installed several Wi-Fi units at various locations on the landfill for the purposes of site monitoring and management. Currently, the Wi-Fi system is being used to monitor and control water usage and irrigation, and to visually monitor the landfill via live, wireless video. Because of its versatility, the new Wi-Fi system has many future applications at the landfill. These include the ability to monitor flow rates in water, influent, and effluent lines, and the ability to control various landfill operations from a remote location. Please contact Melissa Nelson at 714-388-1805 with any questions.
"In Perpetuity" and Beyond - The Full Session Now Available on DVD
On April 9, 2008, Project Navigator, Ltd., in conjunction with The BROWNFIELD Redevelopment Group Co., Terradex, Inc., and Voss Cook & Thel LLP, presented the highly successful "In Perpetuity" and Beyond — Challenges and Cutting-Edge Solutions for the Long-Term Stewardship of Contaminated Sites.
The "In Perpetuity" session brought together environmental consultants, environmental products organizations, regulatory agencies, small landowners, fortune 500 landowners, brokers and developers in an informative and lively discussion about the financial, environmental, insurance, and information management aspects of long-term site planning.
Whether you were one of the 91 attendees or were unable to make it, you can purchase the full session DVD which includes video coverage and handout materials. For ordering the April DVD or for information regarding the upcoming San Francisco seminar please contact
Michelle Russell at 925.969.9583.
The PNL blog - PNL Stories is up and running!
Visit the PNL blog - PNL Stories by clicking the blog link at the top of any of our webpages to join the discussion on current issues, trends, and analyses affecting the environmental engineering industry. Issues discussed range from energy, to recycling, to industry news, to politics, and beyond. We look forward to hearing from you!
View our blog
Conference Presentation and Exhibits through May 2008
18th Annual Association of Environmental Health and Science Meeting and West Coast Conference on Soils, Sediments, and Water in San Diego, California.
March 10-12, 2008
Ian A. Webster, Sc.D. and Melissa Nelson, M.A. presented at "Brownfields Remedy to Re-Use: Innovative Strategies and Case Studies". Download the presentation here.
SWANA 31st Annual Landfill Gas Symposium in Houston, Texas
March 10-13, 2008
PNL will exhibit at this solid waste event. Look for us at Booth 19!
National Brownfields Conference "Roadway to Revitalization" in Detroit, Michigan.
May 5-7, 2008
PNL is proud to be a conference sponsor, exhibitor, and poster presenter for this 12th National Brownfields Conference!
International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
May 18-21, 2008
PNL will be an exhibitor once again at this annual ICSC event!
Mark Brearley gives PNL a presence in the Greater Northwest
Mark Brearley joined the PNL Team in July 2007 and operates from the Seattle, WA area. Mark brings to the team over 20 years project management experience having worked for a major oil company on large remediation projects in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Arizona.
PNL is growing! We are pleased to announce that the following new Navigators have joined the Team
Summer 2007
Melissa Nelson is a Jr. Project Manager and works in our Brea office. Melissa received both her Bachelor and Master degrees in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico. She provides project management assistance primarily at PNL's Southern California projects
Philip Jen is a Project Manager for Project Navigator, Ltd., and is based out of the PNL Houston office. Prior to joining Project Navigator, he worked with the United States Geological Survey conducting hydrologic studies in North Carolina and assisting the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Philip has a B.S. degree in Environmental Science – Geology Concentration from North Carolina State University.
Brian Moore is a Project Manager and is based out of the PNL Houston, Texas. Brian has a B.S. in Resource and Environmental Studies with of environmental consulting experience; working in the Gulf Coast on Oil/gas remediation sites and voluntary cleanups.
Melody Cote has a Masters Degree in Engineering, Environmental Geophysics from Cornell University and has recently worked for a major oil company as a Geophysicist. She focuses on structural and stratigraphic mapping and interpretation. Melody works out of our Houston office.
Robert Piniewski is a registered professional geologist with twenty years of diversified environmental project management experience at both multi-party and single party sites. Bob works out of the PNL Houston office and will be opening a PNL office in Raleigh, NC in the near future.
PNL provides project management services for the Purity Oil Sales Site near Fresno, California
February 2008
The work includes the Project Coordinator for OU-1 and OU-2 as defined in the CD, field oversight, and Engineer in-Responsible Charge for the ongoing OU-2 Remedial Action (RA). Cap construction was completed in January 2008. Hydroseeding of the cap began in February 2008 and the project completion date is April 2008.
OU-1 groundwater wells and OU-2 SVE wells were installed in February 2008, and the investigations will follow.
PNL is acting as the program manager for a joint Chevron Corporation/University of Southern California program on the real time collection and visualization of site operations digital data
December 2007
PNL was selected to manage this effort, and bridge the project management gap between industry and academia, because of our data visualization culture and capabilities.
PNL continues with Remedy Selection at the Cox Road Landfill, near Dayton, TX
December 2007
The initial site assessment has been completed, which included sampling of soil and groundwater throughout the site. PNL is performing the work for PRPs who are working under TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. PNL’s work includes strategy development and planning, PRP group management, contracting, field work, and remedy selection.
PNL Performed Soil and Groundwater Investigations at the Chapin Road Landfill for the Brownfield Site Assessment
November 2007
Brownfields site assessment field investigations for soil and groundwater were completed in November 2007. Soil gas investigation is scheduled for 2008 pending receipt of access agreements from local landowners.
1st Best Practices CERCLA Training Course
September 25-26, 2007
The course focused on management and strategies at multi-party environmental projects and provided participants with insights into Superfund fundamentals, project drivers, and recommendations to promote cost-effective solutions for site remediation activities.
Thank you to everyone involved for making this a success!
Please log in for additional course information.
PNL provided project coordination services to the Omega Small Volume Group (OSVOG)
June 2007
PNL provided project coordination services to the Omega Small Volume Group (OSVOG) under UAO-9 for installation of 23 groundwater monitoring wells (at 12 locations), the installation of one groundwater extraction well, and the sampling of the groundwater monitoring wells. The work was completed in August 2006. EPA approved the final report and confirmed there are no further obligations under UAO-9 on June 22, 2007.
