News

The American Wind Energy Association said the growth of wind power was helped by a federal stimulus package that extended a tax credit and provided other investment incentives for the industry. According to the association, wind projects account for more than a third of all the new electric generation installed in recent years, while over the last six years, domestic wind turbine production has grown twelvefold, to more than 400 facilities in 43 states. A recent study found that in 2012 the industry would support 78,000 jobs, but that number could fall to 41,000 in 2013 without an extension of the production tax credit. Read more about one of the fastest-growing sources of energy around the world here.

HSA Golden has been retained by Advisco Capital Corporation of New York, New York, to perform due diligence investigations at the LaDuquesa Landfill in Santo Domingo, DR. The work will include review of historical records, a site reconnaissance, evaluation of compliance with existing permits, a landfill airspace volume estimate, potential vertical expansion evaluation, and an estimate of closure costs. HSA Golden is pleased to offer expert environmental consulting services to clients worldwide.

HSA Golden recently attended an FDEP webinar which discussed proposed changes to rules regarding solid waste facilities.  Many of the revisions discussed are the result of Florida Legislative changes to the statutes in July 2010.  When changes to Florida Statutes 403.702 through 769 were made into law, FDEP had the authority to enforce the provisions of the statutes; however, these proposed rule changes will make it clearer and provide FDEP with a cleaner method of enforcement.  The proposed 62-701 Rule revisions and the legislative language are very similar.  Lobbyists for Waste Management and Sun Recycling were the most active in pushing C&D landfill liners and recycling requirements, respectively.  We expect that they will continue to push that agenda during the current rulemaking processes.  What follows are proposed changes to selected portions to the rule, along with our comments in italics.

• Rule 62-701.300, F.A.C. – Prohibitions (8)(a)3. Yard Trash in a Class I landfill, except as may be allowed pursuant to Section 403.708(12)(c) F.S.: A Class I landfill with an active gas collection system that can show a beneficial use of the gas (such as energy generation) may accept yard trash, which was previously prohibited in lined landfills. As a result, Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs) can expect to receive less yard trash in areas that have a Class I landfill with beneficial use, unless disposal rates are higher than the MRF’s rates.
• Rule 62-701.510(6)(b)3.c., F.A.C. – Routine Leachate Sampling and (8)(c) Leachate Parameters: It is proposed that annual leachate monitoring not to be required by permit.  This does not mean that facilities won’t be required to test leachate at disposal facilities.
• Rule 62-701.710, F.A.C. – Waste Processing Facilities (10) General Permit for Indoor Waste Processing Facility: This new section provides a “general,” or simpler, permitting process for an enclosed MRF (classified as having a roof, three walls, and a contained concrete floor). This would impact new MRFs or acquisitions only; it is not applicable to existing MRFs.
• Rule 62-701.730, F.A.C. – C&D Debris Disposal and Recycling: Multiple changes are slated for this rule, the most significant of which is detailed in Section (6)(a):  “Each new disposal unit, as well as each lateral expansion of an existing disposal unit, that has not received a Department permit authorizing construction or operation prior to July 1, 2010, shall be constructed with a liner and leachate collection system, unless the applicant demonstrates, based upon the types of waste received, methods for controlling the types of waste disposed of, the proximity of ground water and surface water, and the results of the hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations including any ground water monitoring analyses, that operation of the facility is not expected to result in violations of ground water standards and criteria otherwise.” This proposed rule would require a liner of all new C&D cells that were not permitted for construction or operation prior to July 1, 2010 (grandfather clause), and provides for an exemption from a liner if applicant can demonstrate that violations of groundwater quality standards will not be exceeded by strictly controlling landfilled materials and locating a site with attention to elevation, hydrology, and/or hydrogeology.
• Rule 62-701.730(13)(e), F.A.C. – Recycling: “The owner or operator of any facility that accepts dedicated loads of construction and demolition debris for disposal shall perform an evaluation of the economic feasibility of processing the material to remove recyclable materials prior to disposal.  This evaluation shall be completed no later than July 1, 2011, or prior to opening a new facility, and documentation of the evaluation shall be kept at the facility and made available to the Department upon request.  The evaluation shall consider the costs and benefits of processing the material at a permitted materials recovery facility, at another permitted disposal facility, or at the facility accepting the material.  If the owner or operator determines that it is economically feasible to process some or all of the material accepted, then such material must be processed prior to disposal.  It is not necessary for the Department to review or approve such evaluation, and the substance of the evaluation will not be considered during permit review.  However, failure to perform such evaluation or to keep documentation of the evaluation available for review shall be considered a violation of this chapter.  The evaluation is not required in the following situations: 1. The waste consists solely of recovered materials; 2. The materials have previously been source-separated and offered for recycling; or 3.  The materials have previously been processed.” In its current form, this is a “self” evaluation of the local economic feasibility of recycling the C&D material.  Some operators likely will push to have more detailed (and DEP reviewed) evaluations and specific recycling percentages required, hoping that would push C&D materials to their facilities.  There was no specific recycling percentage in the statute.  There are still a lot of questions on what this evaluation will entail, but for now it is relatively vague.

We hope that you find this information useful.  Please contact us for assistance regarding the potential implications of these rule changes for your facility.

Peter Barts, President of HSA Golden, was interviewed by the Orlando Business Journal for insights into the redevelopment of contaminated property via the Florida Brownfields Program.  Read the entire article here.

The Orlando Business Journal has published the 2011 nominees for Outstanding Small Businesses. The finalists and winners will be recognized as part of the annual Golden 100 event, this year on Sept. 16 at the Hilton Orlando.  Read more here.

Decades after it was banned in the United States as a cancer risk, the insecticide dieldrin has been discovered in 108 private wells in Central Florida, making the water unsafe to drink. In the most recent case, 21 wells at DeLand’s Country Club Estates have unsafe levels of the chemical. But state records show that within the past two years, 81 wells contaminated by dieldrin also have been identified near Sorrento and Longwood. Another six contaminated wells were found in Orange County in 2007. The affected neighborhoods in DeLand, Longwood and Sorrento are all close to older golf courses and have a history of well contamination. In the 1980s, the chemical found in the wells was another pesticide — ethylene dibromide, or EDB, which was banned in 1984. Numerous studies linked the use of EDB on golf courses to the tainting of wells.

Eighty more wells in the DeLand neighborhood are being tested. Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of Volusia County’s health department, said she’s concerned about the contamination but that it would take a thorough study to confirm a link between the water and any cancer cases. “The levels found exceed the state’s health advisory levels, which are set to be more protective of the public’s health,” she said. “But it only means there is an increased risk of cancer if there is prolonged exposure over the course of a lifetime.”

The complete article can be found in the Orlando Sentinel; this is a must-read for all Central Floridians. HSA Golden provides water testing services for dieldrin and many other contaminants which may be present in well water. One of our experts will be happy to discuss what the implications of dieldrin contamination are, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Just call us at (407) 649-5475 or CONTACT US.

Environmental mishaps occur from time to time. Occasionally court cases come about from these happenings. Here are the top 10 environmental litigation law suites that caught my eye. Some of them were based on previous cases from long ago, which were then used to determine a suitable outcome, while others were completely new cases all together.
10. Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council – 2008

The US Navy wanted to use sonar while drilling underwater, but environmentalists were afraid the sonar would affect the whales. The court decided the Navy could use sonar if mitigation measures were used.

9. United States v. Dion – 1986

Despite Bald Eagles begin protected by the Endangered Species Act, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota shot and killed 4 Bald Eagles while on the Yankton Sioux reservation. The act is supposed to protect the eagles, but tribe members are allowed to hunt eagle on the reservation. Dion, the tribe member felt it was his right to hunt the eagles, but the court felt he should have obeyed the Endangered Species Act.

8. Sierra Club v. Morton – 1972

The Sierra Club wanted to block a building permit for the development of Mineral King close to Sequoia National Park. The Supreme Court thought the Sierra Club didn’t really have grounds to sue.

7. Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency – 2007

The petitioners in this case felt carbon dioxide should be considered an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act and should be regulated. The EPA hadn’t been monitoring carbon dioxide because it wasn’t sure if it actually caused global warming. The petitioners felt it should be regulated anyway. In the end, the court required the EPA to begin regulating carbon dioxide emissions.

6. Kleppe v. New Mexico – 1976

An Act was passed in 1971 to protect roaming horses and burros from being captured, branded, harassed, or put to death. Despite this Act, the New Mexico Livestock Board rounded up and sold 19 burros. These animals were collected from land owned by the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM demanded that the burros be returned. Since the board went onto BLM land to get the burros, the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act was deemed constitutional under the Property Clause, so the Board was in the wrong by taking the burros in the first place.

5. Jackson v. Attorney General – 2005

The majority of hunting with dogs was illegal, except for some limited circumstances. The ban on hunting of wild animals by using dogs was mainly for fox hunting and hare coursing. Jackson thought the Hunting Act was invalid. If Jackson’s claim was proved correct, then all additional Acts passed under the 1949 Act would also not be valid. The House of Lords rejected this claim and deemed the Hunting Act to be valid.

4. Dolan v. city of Tigard – 1994

Ms. Dolan sought a permit from the city of Tigard, Oregon to make some alterations to her hardware store. She wanted to pave the parking lot and expand the store a bit. The city planning commission told Dolan she could make those improvements if she also made a bicycle pathway and a walkway for pedestrians and dedicated a portion of land to a public greenway for them to be built. The court ruled against this and stated it was unconstitutional to ask Ms. Dolan to have to do make those additional adjustments in order to receive her permit.

3. Commonwealth v. Tasmania – 1983

The government of Tasmania wanted a hydro-electric dam to be built on the Gordon River, but groups of environmentalists and the Australian federal government didn’t agree. Claims that the federal government was following section 51 of the constitution of Australia were disputed by the Tasmanian government. The result of the decision was that it was valid for the construction of the dam to be banned.

2. Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe – 1971

The Secretary of Transportation in Memphis, Tennessee decided to run a portion of Interstate 40 right through Overton Park. There was no longer the power of eminent domain, so the government had to prove there was no other route to take and that the road had to go through the park. The court eventually ruled that the park property was to be given a higher importance of protection and the road needed to be routed elsewhere.

1. Chemical Waste Management, Inc. v. Hunt – 1992

A law in Alabama stated that a fee was to be charged on hazardous waste from out-of-state that was being brought into the state of Alabama for disposal. The court deemed this law to be discriminatory against commerce from out-of-state. The court felt that the law would block the free flow of interstate trade, which was unacceptable.

What additional cases were more memorable to you than these top 10 environmental litigation law suites?

Contaminants have plagued the world for decades at a time before people became aware as to what was going on. The effect of most contamination isn’t always noticeable right away, which tends to be how most new regulations and laws are devised. Here are the top 10 environmental contamination releases in the United States. Some have been resolved, while others are still fighting to make things as good or better than they were before in that area.

10. Leakage of the Summitville mine

A sodium cyanide solution was used to extract gold in this mine in Colorado during the mid 80s. 73 acres of leach pads were in place, with no drainage for any of them. There was a permit issued to discharge extra water off of the leach pads, but only if the level of contaminants met regulations; they didn’t. Despite the high levels of cyanide in the water, it was still released into the Alamosa River. This distribution of contaminants killed aquatic life for 17 miles of the river.

9. Mercury in Indiana

With the aid of 30 coal-burning power plants, Indiana’s waterways have become contaminated with high levels of mercury. The fish that tested high in mercury were way past a safe level of consumption for humans.

8. Derailment near the Sacramento River

Just north of Dunsmuir, California, a train derailed in July of 1991. The derailment caused metam sodium to be spilled into the Sacramento River. 19,000 gallons of the toxin poured into the river, killing everything for a 38 mile stretch. Metam sodium is used as a fungicide, herbicide, and pesticide. The upper portion of the river still hasn’t fully recovered.

7. Contaminated feed in Michigan

Instead of a nutritional supplement being added to animal feed, a fire retardant was added by mistake. The tainted feed was distributed to farmers all over Michigan and fed to livestock. Milk and meat were contaminated after cows ate the feed and many cattle became very ill.

6. Sludge spill in Martin County

306 million gallons of coal sludge made its way into the Tug Fork River in October of 2000. This occurred around midnight and by the time morning arrived, Wolf Creek was also filled with the coal waste. Hundreds of miles of the Big Sandy River became polluted, as well as other tributaries and the Ohio River. This contamination tainted the water supply for tens of thousands of individuals and ruined the homes of aquatic life all along these rivers.

5. Three Mile Island leak

The reactor on Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania had a partial meltdown in March of 1979. Although the release of radioactive gas and water were rather small, the decontaminating of the site could only go so far. Eventually the site was declared unable to be cleaned any further. The concrete covering the buried reactor is still slowly deteriorating.

4. Chemical waste in Love Canal

In the 1920s, a canal was dug near Niagara Falls to help provide water to a nearby community. However, the canal ended up going unfinished and was turned into a landfill instead. The decomposing garbage produced a liquid waste that seeped into the ground and began causing severe illnesses, miscarriages, and birth defects among people in the community known as Love Canal.

3. Use of DDT

This wasn’t only a single incident. DDT was used as a pesticide for more than 20 years before the dangerous effects were known. Although they aren’t instant, the effects of DDT have been and most likely will be seen for many more decades to come. From causing cancer in humans to thinning the eggshells of wild birds, DDT has affected nearly every living thing it has come into contact with.

2. Smog blanket over Donora

A blanket of smog formed over Donora, Pennsylvania as the cold air trapped the sulfur dioxide being produced by the mills in Donora. Within 4 days, the smog was so thick that people could no longer drive their cars or even see their hand right in front of their face. The zinc plant finally shut down to allow the fumes to subside. Regulations were put into place nearly 10 years later to prevent this event from ever happening again.

1. Deep sea drilling rig catches fire

In April of 2010, a drilling rig caught fire near Louisiana. This fire burned for 36 hours straight and disappeared less than 5,000 feet of water. The oil slick released from this incident grew 3 times its size in a single day. The oil continued to leak out of the rig at a rate of 200,000 gallons each day.

Have you heard of any additional issues that would fit in with these top 10 environmental contamination releases in the United States?

There’s always a part of the world in need of being cleaned up. Whether it’s air, water, or soil pollution, finding a cleanup that actually works is the most difficult part. Here are the top 10 contamination cleanup projects in the world that I came across. Many were put into action by the same organization.
10. Lead in Bajos De Haina, Domincan Republic

Improper recycling of batteries containing lead has caused the soil in Bajos De Haina to become extremely toxic. The lead content in the soil is the highest in the world. The cleanup efforts in this part of the world have drastically reduced the amount of lead in the residents systems. The levels went from 71 micrograms per deciliter to 28, which is a fantastic improvement.

9. Heavy metal cleanup in Kanpur, India

High levels of arsenic, mercury, and chromium can be found in the ground water, as well as in the Ganges River. Chromium alone causes premature dementia, cancer, kidney damage, and liver failure. Once new wells were dug and an electron donor chemical added, the levels of chromium had dropped to a level that was near to being undetectable.

8. Mercury cleanup in Germany

After centuries of using mercury at manufacturing sites, Germany has begun to clean up mercury-tainted industrial sites and finding an alternative to this toxic substance. Decontaminating the mercury-laden soil is a long but doable process.

7. Lead smelter cleanup in Kabwe, Zambia

Without regulations being in place, there was no limit to the amount of emissions smelters and mines could give off. Even though these mines and shelters aren’t in service any more, the effects of their existence is still present. The average level of lead in the blood of people from this area was between 60 and 120 micrograms per deciliter. However, there were some children who had concentrations as high as 300 micrograms per deciliter. Cleanup of the soil and water is still taking place, as well as educating people on how to not consume so much lead in their daily living.

6. Polluted water cleanup on the Cuyahoga River in Michigan

This river was an extremely contaminated water source once upon a time. In fact, it was so polluted that a fire broke out along the river in 1969. The fire sparked a slew of activities which in turn inspired the creation of the EPA, the Ohio EPA, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the Clean Water Act. With these in place, the river has become much cleaner over the years.

5. Groundwater cleanup in Muthia, India

Sludge has been leaching through the soil and into the ground water from a number of effluent treatment plants. The water has actually turned colors, due to this sludge. Not only is the groundwater contaminated, but the monsoon rains have helped to wash the toxins elsewhere as well. In order to get rid of the contaminated soil, heavy machinery needed to be brought in to remove the soil. The tainted soil was then disposed of properly in a location where it will no longer pose a threat.

4.  Monazite concrete cleanup in Krasnoufimsk, Russia

Storing of this radioactive substance began in the 60s without thought to the health implications that might occur. Nearly 1,000 cases of cancer have been linked to the monazite. It was originally kept on hand to make nuclear weapons, but then wasn’t needed when the substance needed for weapons changed. Enclosures were built around dilapidated wooden warehouses to reduce the chance of fire or other potential dangers. Additional efforts include building a ferroconcrete fence around the area where the monazite is stored. It will take time to see just how much of an impact these and other cleanup efforts have made in this area of Russia.

3. Arsenic cleanup in Yangzong Lake in China

This lake was once considered as a viable source for drinking water and as a great place to swim. By the time the year 2008 approached, it had become one of the most polluted lakes in China. Cleanup efforts initiated by the Yunnan provincial government hope to lower the arsenic levels from .128 grams per liter to .050 grams per liter within a few years.

2. Reducing emissions from sulfuric acid plants in Peru

The liquid discharge from a smelter in La Oroya, Peru had caused the water quality of the Mantaro and Yauli Rivers to become extremely poor. Besides contaminating the water, the plants were also giving off gases and particulates which decreased the air quality as well. The plant has since had strict regulations put on it and has been forced to follow them. Both the air and water quality have greatly improved.

1. PCB cleanup on the Fox River in Wisconsin, USA

Approximately 13 miles of this river are contaminated by PCB and the clean up is supposed to take 9 years to complete. The lengthy process includes dredging, separating, and taking the water out of the contaminate silt. The dredging of contaminants will take place 24 hours a day, Monday thru Friday during the months of April to November.

What additional activities do you think should be on this list of the top 10 contamination cleanup projects in the world?

There is always plenty of waste to go around and what better way to utilize it than to create energy from it. WTE plants have started popping up all around the world. Many countries have made adjustments to power plants to be able to use refuse for energy. Here are 10 of the largest waste to energy plants in the world.
10. Norway – Brobekk

Put into operation in 1967, this WTE plant has a 1 million tpy capacity and produces 250 GWh. It supplies all the hot water for the center portion of Oslo. Due to the length of time it’s been in service, the plant has received many upgrades over the years.

9. Denmark – Vejen

Besides using refuse for energy production, this WTE plant also uses straw. It has been in operation since 1990.

8. Austria – Spittelau

From the outside, this doesn’t look like your typical waste-to-energy plant. It has a very artistic look to it and covered with bright colors. This plant deals with around 1200 tons per day and uses the refuse to create thermal energy for Vienna.

7. Belgium – Biosteam

In 2009, this WTE plant began producing energy and now the waste heat produced will soon start being pumped to a greenhouse. The station took 27 months to build, as well as around 128 million dollars.

6. Italy – Brescia

Refuse and biomass are used to create approximately 568 MWh of heat and 570 MWh of electricity. When the plant first started operating in 1998, it only utilized refuse. In 2004, a unit for combustion of biomass was added.

5. Switzerland – Chaux-de-Fonds New

Using refuse since 1994 to supply power to customer, this WTE is operated by Vadec SA. Architect Pierre Studer wanted to design a building that would fit into the more urban setting and that’s just what he did with this waste-to-energy plant.

4. Sweden – Kumla-2

In 1983, a portion of this WTE plant was the very first facility to have the ability to incinerate and treat waste deemed to be hazardous. Today it uses refuse to create energy. Another portion of the facility is able to also utilize treated wood, as well as other types of waste.

3. Netherlands – EM Wijster

This zero water discharge facility began operating in 1996. It uses refuse for fuel and has 3 lines for incineration. Each line has a two-stage scrubber, ESP, a two-stage oxidation catalyst, a water-cooled reciprocating grate, a baghouse, and a spray dryer.

2. France – Isseane

More than half of this WTE plant is underground. It became operational in 2007 and was built to perform without being an eye-sore. Many of its features were also put in place to reduce the amount of impact presented on the environment. Approximately 460,000 tons per year of refuse pass through this plant.

1. Germany – MHKW Karnap

Around 700,000 tons of refuse per year pass through this plant. It started operating in 1987 and utilizes the refuse from 5 different cities. A coal-fired plant once stood where this facility now is placed. When a fourth boiler was added to this WTE, it became one of the largest waste-to-energy facilities in Germany.

Most of the largest waste to energy plants in the world that I’ve listed above has had recent upgrades to keep them up to date with the needs of the public around them. What is the largest WTE plant you’ve heard about?

The following is a short list of some of the largest landfills in the world. There are so many still in existence that should be shut down, due to the emissions they are producing that are hazardous to residents and the health of the environment. Unfortunately, not all countries are able to open up a new landfill site very easily.

10. Dandora

The 3.5 million people of Nairobi, Kenya drop off around 1,900 tons of trash each day to this landfill. Many of the locals complain of breathing problems and other health-related issues. Slowly, the residents are trying to make things better by trying to incorporate more recycling into their daily lives.

9. Malagrotta

Apparently there has been some concern about this landfill. The amount of benzene and arsenic discovered in the groundwater is well over the limit. In fact, benzene levels are 12 times higher than they should be, while arsenic is 200 times higher. The 3,700 daily tons of trash hauled to this landfill in Lazio, Rome, Italy will only increase these levels even more.

8. Deonar

Munbai, India takes around 4,000 tons of trash each day to this particular landfill. Most landfills last no more than 30 years, but this one is still going and it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. 110 of the 127 hectares are loaded with trash. Around 1,200 trucks drop off more garbage each day.

7. Atlantic Waste Disposal Landfill

A daily amount of 4,900 tons of trash are delivered to this dump in Waverly, Virginia, USA. This landfill accepts everything from scrap metal to solid waste. The waste is dropped off either via truck or railroad car.

6. West New Territories

The people in Nim Wan, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong rely on this landfill to hold their 5,700 tons of trash dropped off daily. This is the largest of 3 landfills located in Hong Kong, out of the 16 original ones created long ago.

5. Apex

Las Vegas, Nevada residents create most of the 5, 900 tons of trash taken in by this landfill daily. Which is an amazingly high amount considering the population is just fewer than 2 million people.

4. Laogang

9,100 tons of daily trash is dropped off at this landfill in Nanhui, Shanghai, China. This is actually one of the biggest gas-producing dumps in Asia. It is located on the outskirts of Shanghai.

3. Puente Hills

Whittier, Los Angeles, California, USA uses this landfill to drop off around 9,300 tons of refuse daily. This isn’t the main landfill for the entire city of Los Angeles, otherwise the number of daily tons would be much higher.

2. Bordo Poniente

11,000 tons of garbage is brought to this landfill in Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico city, Mexico. Due to the excessive amount of trash brought in daily, there are tons of methane emissions given off. Approximately 1.5 million tons of methane is produced yearly.

1. Sudokwon

This landfill in Incheon, South Korea brings in close to 18,000 tons each day. Around 21 million people use this particular landfill, which would explain why there’s so much garbage being dropped off daily.

Had you heard about any other trash sites that should be added to this list of the largest landfills in the world?

If you are interested in what it takes to build a landfill and the terminology behind this process, then you might want to take a look at the following list. Here is a short landfill engineering definition glossary of terms A to Z.
10. Transfer Station

This isn’t always necessary, but it will sometimes be needed if the landfill becomes full. A landfill engineer needs to know what is needed to get this facility in place and up and running. A transfer station is generally formed out of concrete and consists of 3 walls and a roof.

9. Solid Waste Combustor

Not all landfills use a solid waste combustor, due to the strict regulations required. However, if one is going to be used, a landfill engineer needs to make sure the combustor follows the rules of the US Clean Air Act. The emissions from a solid waste combustor are extremely toxic. In order to reduce the amount of air pollution created by these machines, it’s important that the regulations be followed very closely.

8. Permit Amendment

Engineers can’t simply go out and start building a landfill anywhere; permits are required. If any changes need to be made to the original plan for the landfill, then a permit amendment needs to be applied for.

7. Materials Recovery Facility

This is often referred to as the MRF. Engineers need to know if one of these is necessary when they are engineering landfills. The MRF is a building where the separating of recyclables takes place. They are generally processed in this same facility, so the building needs to be big enough to allow for the sorting, crushing, and baling of recyclables to take place.

6. Liner

The ground where a landfill is built needs to be equipped with some type of liner, whether it’s synthetic or natural. The liner will prevent the leachate from seeping deep into the ground. It will also keep the landfill gas from escaping. Clay soil can be compacted tight enough to make a natural liner. Synthetic liners are often made from a special kind of plastic. Engineers are responsible for making sure this liner is properly installed.

5. Leachate

This is the term used to refer to the liquid that has been drained off of the solid waste. Engineers need to determine where this liquid is going to be directed so that it doesn’t sink into the ground and contaminate drinking water or other resources utilized by the public.

4. Landfill Gas

Monitoring, reporting, migration, control, and recovery of LFG are a constant chore for landfill engineers. Landfill gas is generally half methane and half carbon dioxide, both of which are greenhouse gases and need to be closely watched. Many landfills collect the gas coming off of the decomposing waste and use it for fueling engines, creating electricity, and heating.

3. Hydrogeological Investigations

Hydrogeology involves studying the movement of groundwater beneath the soil, through the soil, and throughout the rocks. Engineers are in charge of making sure the landfill that is going to be built won’t contaminate any groundwater or pose any health risks to the public. They need to know how far down the water table is, where the water flows too, and how porous the ground is before building of the landfill can begin.

2. Geotechnical Investigations

Samples of the soil are taken to see what the contents in it are. There are numerous tests that have to be run on the soil before the landfill can be built.

1. Buffer Zone

Different states require the buffer zone between the landfill and any property owners surrounding the landfill to be a certain distance apart from one another. The landfill engineer needs to know the required distance for the buffer zone before building ever begins.

Had you ever heard of any of the landfill engineering definition glossary of terms A to Z listed above?

The most dominant greenhouse gas occurring has always been carbon dioxide. Due to changes made over the years methane and nitrous oxide emissions have lowered in percentages. The HFC, PFC, and SF6 emissions have risen by close to 70 percent over the past 2 decades. Here are the 10 largest sources of greenhouse gases in our environment today.

10. HCFC – 22 Production

This gas started out being a replacement gas for the ozone-depleting CFC, which is until it was realized that this gas is also harmful to the environment. Thankfully HCFC-22 is slowly being phased out and a new type of gas is being used in air conditioners.

9. Mobile Combustion

On and off-road vehicles are responsible for producing the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide through mobile combustion. Automobiles are one of the top causes of pollution around the world.

8. Coal Mining

Methane produced in coal mines is 20 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. The methane released when coal is mined is referred to as CMM and most of it comes from ventilation emissions. While underground, this gas can cause explosions. To avoid this type of hazard, the methane is released from underground through means of ventilation. Unfortunately, this means the methane is then released into the atmosphere.

7. Iron and Steel and Metallurgical Coke Production

Carbon dioxide is given off when metallurgical coke is used to make iron out of iron ore. The carbonization of coals is how metallurgical coke is produced in the first place. The amount of carbon dioxide given off by this process is amazingly high.

6. Natural Gas Systems

Even though natural gas is one of the cleanest fuels available, it still poses a hazard to the environment. Carbon dioxide and methane are both still given off by systems and plants burning natural gas. Some forms of transportation have also started using natural gas as fuel.

5. Generating Electricity

Burning fossil fuels to create electricity produces tons of carbon dioxide each year. This greenhouse gas is released into the air, despite means of controlling its release. Switching to wind and solar panel will greatly reduce the carbon dioxide levels produced by electrical plants.

4. Landfills

The decomposition of matter produces methane. Due to the abundance of decomposing products most landfills contain, these areas are often high producers of methane. Around 40 to 60 percent of the gas produced by a landfill facility is methane. This means the more open landfills; the more methane is being created. Large landfill areas often have a gas collection system in place to prevent the release of harmful gases.

3. Enteric Fermentation

Methane is produce when fermentation takes place in the digestive process of some farm animals. Mainly cows are responsible the methane levels rising. Sheep and water buffalo are two additional animals able to participate in enteric fermentation. Up to 20 times as much heat is trapped in the atmosphere by methane than is by carbon dioxide.

2. Agricultural Soil Management

Managing the soil through the addition of fertilizer might be good for the plants, but it is harmful on the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide is given off when fertilizers are added to the soil. The ammonium-producing fertilizers are the ones causing nitrous oxide to be produced. The soil interacts with the ammonium and nitrification occurs. Adding microorganisms to the soil can help prevent nitrification from occurring, thus reducing the amount of nitrous oxide in the air.

1. Fossil Fuel Combustion in cars

Carbon dioxide being given of by cars used to be more prevalent than it is today, but it is still a problem. More and more vehicles make it to the road, which means more carbon dioxide is given off each year as well. The switch to electric cars seems feasible in many larger cities. Until they become a larger part of the automotive industry, carbon dioxide emissions will continue to need strict regulation laws to keep the air clean.

The electric power industry, transportation, and industry itself are responsible for more than half of the carbon dioxide emissions globally. Making changes to these three areas has become a priority for most organizations. Hopefully these three will eventually drop off of the list of the 10 largest sources of greenhouse gases. What do you do to reduce your impact on the environment?

The search for ways to harness the sun’s energy has been a lengthy process. Fortunately, today there are solar plants built to capture and utilize as much sunlight as possible. These solar farms are constantly popping up around the US and expanding to produce more and more energy. Here are the 10 largest solar farms in the United Statements as of mid-2011.

10. Bakersfiled, California – Kimberlina Solar Thermal Energy Plant

This 5 megawatt (one million watts, or MW) plant was the first of its kind when it was initially built. It uses CLFR technology to create steam. The compact Linear Fresnel Reflector contains segments of mirrors to direct sunlight toward a central point on the reflectors. The solar boilers used to make superheated steam each have 13 narrow mirrors to track and focus the sunlight on the pipes overhead, and the steam spins a turbine which then makes electricity.

9. Alamosa, Colorado – Alamosa Photovoltaic Solar Plant

With 83 acres of land, this 8.2 MW plant provides some energy to Xcel, which is what it was built to do. In 2008, the plant supplied power to around 1400 homes, making it the largest producer of PV power in the US for that year.

8. Blythe, California – Blythe Photovoltaic Power Plant

Southern California Edison purchases power generated by this 21 MW plant. The Power Purchase Aggreement (PPA) created by Blythe was arranged in 2009 and is supposed to last for 20 years. This plant is scheduled to continue to grow until around 2013. By the time this year rolls around, the plant should be a 968 MW solar thermal power station.

7. Las Vegas, Nevada – Nellis Solar Power Plant

Taking up 140 acres and consisting of more than 70,000 solar panels, this 14 MW solar farm can supply 25 percent of the base’s power. It’s due to expand to be able to produce up to 18 MW of power, but this plan is still in the works.

6. Gila Bend, Arizona – The Solana Solar Plant

1900 acres is set aside for this plant in Gila Bend, and it will be used to compliment the solar facility in Deming once they are both up and running. This particular plant will have the ability to produce 280 MW of power and employ more than 1,500 people.

5. Deming, New Mexico

With more than 3,200 acres to work with, Solar Torx and New Solar Ventures are creating a 300 MW solar farm in Deming. It is supposed to be 15 times larger than the biggest solar farm in existence today. Not only will hundreds of people be employed, but more than 240,000 homes will be supplied with energy from this enormous plant.

4. Tucson, Arizona

Springerville Generating Station – 4.6 MW

3. Fresno, California – The San Joaquin Valley Customer Choice Solar Farm

Due to be completed this year, this 80 MW solar farm takes up around 640 acres. This major project was initiated by Meridian Energy USA, formerly known as Cleantech America. It is a developer of solar farms and projects designed to help with renewable energy. The goal is to supply energy to at least 21,000 homes.

2. Boulder City, Nevada – Copper Mountain Solar Facility

The 380 acre site allows plenty of room for this 48 MW plant to follow through with future plans of expanding to a 200 MW facility. Copper Mountain has a 20 year PPA with Pacific Gas and Electric.

1. Solar Energy Generating Systems – Mojave Desert, California

This system is the largest in the world and it actually consists of nine solar power plants. The average output is around 75 MW. The 1,600 acre plant is operated by NextEra Energy Resources and covered with over 900,000 mirrors. Five of the nine plants that make up this system are located at Kramer Junction. This area receives 340 days of sunshine each year on average, making it a prime location for a solar plant.

These 10 largest solar farms in the United Statements aren’t going to stay the largest forever. There will be new ones appearing throughout the years as technology changes. Where do you think is the best place in the US to build a solar farm?

Everyone needs a place to put their refuse, no matter how little they have accumulated. Here are 10 landfills located in Central Florida, just in case you are needed to know where you might be able to drop off some items you no longer want. Most of these are open to the public, while others are only accessible by waste management crews.

Orange County Class I Landfill

The Orange County landfill is located at 5901 Young Pine Road in Orlando. The Orange County Solid Waste Division also operates household hazardous waste facilities and solid waste transfer stations. This landfill is open Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm., and accepts LP Gas Bottles.

Golden Gem Class III Landfill – Apopka

The Golden Gem landfill is located at 3402 Golden Gem Road, Apopka, Fl 32712. This landfill is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and accepts construction and demolition debris, furniture, carpet, roofing, yard waste and landscaping debris. You can reach this landfill at 407-814-7000.

Mid-Florida Materials Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill- Apopka

Mid-Florida Materials is located at 3602 Golden Gem Road in Apopka, Fl 32712. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 5:00 p.m. Call 407-886-4879 for more information.

Brevard County Central Landfill – Cocoa

This waste facility has a special area for residents to drop off items. Brevard accepts tires, metal, yard waste, as well as household trash and hazardous waste. The landfill takes up 957 acres with some portions already being filled and capped with dirt and sod. The facility is expected to continue taking items until 2014, if the amount of waste coming in remains consistent.

Hillsborough County Landfill – Lithia

Household waste is accepted at this landfill. It isn’t open to the public, so there are no public hours of operation. Highlands County recycles just about everything, which means only the non-recyclable goods end up in this landfill.

Baseline Landfill – Ocala

Baseline is closed Sundays and on major holidays, but it is open from 7am to 5pm Monday thru Saturday. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the landfill closes at 3pm. Household hazardous wastes are accepted at this facility.

West Pasco Class III Landfill – Spring Hill

Pasco County has a few facilities servicing various parts of the county. The West Pasco landfill is open from 7am to 5pm, but only accepts loads until 430pm. These times are good Monday thru Saturday. There is a special area where residents are allowed to drop their trash. Most items are accepted at this landfill and various charges apply for larger or potentially hazardous items.

Bass Road Resource Recovery Site – Kissimmee

This facility used to be called ‘Bass Road Landfill’. It accepts tires, yard waste, household chemicals and recyclables from residential areas only, and appliances. The operating hours for this landfill is 7am to 3pm Monday thru Friday. No loads are accepted after 245pm. Yard waste is ground up and screened, then offered to the public as gardening soil. Residents may receive one pickup truck load for each family and must load it themselves.

North Central Landfill – Winter Haven

The location of this landfill is between Lakeland and Winter Haven, instead of directly in Winter Haven. Its hours of operation 7am to 5pm; Monday thru Friday and 730am to 4pm on Saturday. On Sundays and major holidays, the landfill is closed. This facility accepts tires, yard waste, scrap metal, asbestos, refrigerators, AC units, regular household trash, and mobile homes.

Seminole County Landfill – Geneva

6000 acres is set aside for this 3 phase landfill. Phase I is already filled and reaches a height of 131 feet and Phase II is only at 73 feet right now, so there’s plenty of room left. Both public and commercial trucks are allowed to drop off loads of trash at this facility. The rates vary and are listed on their website.

Deland Landfill – Deland

The Deland facility is open from 7am to 430pm daily; except major holidays.

Okeechobee Landfill – Okeechobee

The location for this landfill is actually 13 miles east of the city of Okeechobee. This 833 acre area accepts anything from asbestos to yard waste. The only two items not accepted are liquid and hazardous waste. Trucks dropping off waste at this facility are used to pick up trash from homes and businesses.

Radioactive tritium has leaked from three-quarters of U.S. commercial nuclear power sites, often into groundwater from corroded, buried piping, an Associated Press investigation shows. The number and severity of the leaks has been escalating, even as federal regulators extend the licenses of more and more reactors across the nation.

Like rust under a car, corrosion has propagated for decades along the hard-to-reach, wet underbellies of the reactors — generally built in a burst of construction during the 1960s and 1970s. As part of an investigation of aging problems at the country’s nuclear reactors, the AP uncovered evidence that despite government and industry programs to bring the causes of such leaks under control, breaches have become more frequent and widespread.

The tritium leaks also have spurred doubts among independent engineers about the reliability of emergency safety systems at the 104 nuclear reactors situated on the 65 sites. That’s partly because some of the leaky underground pipes carry water meant to cool a reactor in an emergency shutdown and to prevent a meltdown. More than a mile of piping, much of it encased in concrete, can lie beneath a reactor.

Read more about this little-known issue HERE.

Pollack Partners, an Atlanta-based real estate investment and service firm, has selected HSA Golden to provide fast-track contamination assessment and remediation services at a site located within downtown Orlando’s Brownfield area. Work will include pre-demolition asbestos surveys, development of the Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement (BSRA), assessment and remediation of petroleum-impacted soil and groundwater under Chapter 62-785, F.A.C., and assistance with cost recovery in the form of tax credits.

There have certainly been a large number of environmental calamities over the decades. While some were worse than others, there is always the possibility that something will surpass even those terrible events. Here are the 10 deadliest environmental contaminant releases globally that are listed on the Internet most often.

10. Cyanide Spill – Baia Mare, Romania

In January of 2000, cyanide and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury overflowed into the Somes and Tisza rivers. Cyanide was being used in a nearby mine to extract gold when the overflow occurred. A break in a dam caused the overflow and thankfully there weren’t any casualties, due to a quick response time by the proper authorities.

9. Wastewater Spill in Spain

Copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium were all spilled into the Guadiamar River when a tank containing wastewater ruptured. The polluted river caused a chain reaction . . . crops were contaminated, thus rendering them unfit for consumption. Fish were killed or infected, which then sickened or killed birds and animals consuming the fish.

8. Mercury Poisoning in Japan

Chisso Corporation’s chemical factory released wastewater containing methylmercury. This didn’t just happen once. It actually took place over a span of 36 years. Both fish and shellfish accumulated high levels of mercury and then passed the poison on when consumed. It wasn’t’ until more than 30 years had gone by with death after death of human, dog, cat, and other animals that the company was finally held responsible.

7. Radiation Release from Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania

Even though the leak was one-thousandth the magnitude of radiation released in Chernobyl, the effects were still similar in many ways. Farm animals died, elderly people reportedly died prematurely, local residents began developing cancer, and birth defects became more prevalent.

6. Amoco Oil Spill near France

230,000 tons of crude oil were spilled off the coast of Brittany, France in March of 1978. The steering mechanism failed, and the supertanker began drifting closer and closer to shore. Eventually the hull snagged the rocks and was torn open. 186 miles of coastline were contaminated. Besides destroying seaweed beds and the oysters living in them, the spill also took out many fisheries.

5. Dioxin Crisis in Italy

Meda, Italy experienced an explosion in a TCP reactor in July 1976. The eruption created a cloud of TCDD that ended up traveling downwind to a residential area where 3,300 animals died within days, and over 80,000 animals were eventually slaughtered to prevent TCDD from entering the food chain. Although the cloud affected 11 different areas, this incident received its name from the town of Seveso. People who came into contact with this cloud showed not only visible symptoms such as leisions, but many had long-term health issues as well.

4. Union Carbide Gas Leak

December of 1984 was when a cloud of methyl isocyante gas and other chemicals escaped from a pesticide factory in Bhopal, India. This cloud spread over an area of 30 square miles and killed over 4,000 people instantly. Well over 50,000 people became ill, up to 11,000 eventually died from their illnesses. Around 100,000 people suffer still today from this gas leak.

3. London Smog

The thickest smog to ever form in London occurred in December of 1952. It didn’t only last for a day or two; instead it lasted until March of the following year. With very little rain and light winds, the conditions were excellent for making a huge batch of smog. The cold winter had caused everyone to stoke up their coal-burning stoves more than usual. After the smog had finally subsided, a total of 12,000 people had died.

2. Love Canal

When strange odors became noticeable in the quiet neighborhood of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, NY, people began to wonder from where it was coming. Illnesses, birth defects, and miscarriages started happening much more often, and an activist decided to investigate. Upon checking into why these things were happening, it was discovered that 21,000 tons of toxic waste had been buried beneath the neighborhood. Not only was TCDD present, which is a form of dioxin, but there were 248 additional chemicals as well. 900 families had to be relocated. Love Canal in large part led to the creation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), more commonly referred to as “Superfund.”

1. Chernobyl

The 1986 nuclear incident that took place on this site in the Ukraine is the worst nuclear power plant accident and probably the worst environmental catastrophe to ever have happened. Not only were western Russia as well as Europe affected by radiation, but also from lead contamination. In the aftermath of the accident, 237 people suffered from acute radiation sickness (ARS), of whom 31 died within the first three months. Life expectancy has shortened by many years and birth defects are common.

Out of the 10 deadliest environmental contamination’s globally that are listed above, which one do you think should be listed as number one?

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners has selected HSA Golden to provide professional and hydrogeological services at the county’s three landfills and at other county facilities as required. Services provided under this contract include permit compliance, water quality testing and data interpretation, water level measurements, geological and hydrogeological investigations, monitoring and contamination evaluation plan preparation and implementation, reporting, and representing and assisting the county in meetings and correspondence with regulatory agencies. HSA Golden looks forward to working closely with Seminole County’s Solid Waste Management Division staff in the execution of this contract.

The Federal Interagency Task Force has updated Revision 1 to the Interim Guidance–Identification of Homes with Corrosion from Problem Drywall, dated August 27, 2010, to reflect additional information concerning the installation dates of problem drywall imported from China. Specifically, the CPSC has found a number of homes where problem drywall previously imported from China was not installed in homes until calendar year 2009; previously, it was believed that all such problem drywall installations were completed by the end of calendar year 2008. In the update, the years of installation are adjusted to include calendar year 2009: Identification Guidance for Homes with Corrosion from Problem Drywall as of March 18, 2011.

Click HERE for a sampling of defective drywall investigative work that’s been performed by HSA Golden.