The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched an initiative to promote expeditious remediation and revitalization of Superfund sites. The goal of the initiative is to dramatically improve the progress of cleanups across the country by incentivizing stakeholders, encouraging private investment in cleanups, and applying best practices that lead to full beneficial use of properties across the country. A Superfund Task Force established by the U.S. EPA Administrator published a set of recommendations on July 25, 2017 to meet this goal.
To foster a timely response to this initiative, on August 10, 2017, THG in partnership with HSW Engineering convened the Superfund Initiative Roundtable with federal and state agencies, private and public responsible parties, and nongovernmental organizations. The Roundtable provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss creative, workable solutions to mitigate administrative, technical, and financial barriers to completing environmental cleanups and returning properties to productive use.
A summary report of the Roundtable discussion is now available. To download the Roundtable summary report, click here.
To download the Roundtable overview materials, click here.
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
The Horinko Group and The Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation, Announce a Summit Exploring Topics of Transboundary Water Management
The 2017 Summit will explore the future of transboundary water management with a focus using a humanities lens on cooperation, informed decision-making and the capacity building of local actors.
Washington D.C., October 2, 2017 – The Horinko Group, a leading environmental consulting firm, is proud to announce their 2017 Summit, The Future of Transboundary Water Management – Cooperation, Informed Decision-Making, and Empowering Local Actors, to be held on October 12th, 2017 in Washington D.C. The Summit is a partnership with the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, and The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center.
This year’s Summit will discuss implications of using big data analysis to reach better-informed decisions on the use of water resources. This method for water management has the potential for improving the human condition from the Jordan River in the conflict-torn Middle East, to the complicated issues of water rights in the Western United States, to the cyclic water pulse events resulting in droughts and destructive flooding along the Mississippi River. Empowering local actors to access and utilize big data with purpose and confidence is an important step in positioning those who govern locally to course correct onto a sustainable path forward.
To read the remainder of the press release, click here.
On October 12, THG in partnership with the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation will gather in Washington, DC to convene a Summit entitled, The Future of Transboundary Water Management – Cooperation, Informed Decision-Making, and Empowering Local Actors, which will discuss implications of big data management for improving the human condition from the conflict-torn Jordan River in the Middle East, to the complicated water rights of the Western United States, to the Mississippi River’s cyclic drought and abundance.
Empowering local actors to access and utilize data with purpose and confidence is an important step in positioning farm operators, utility managers, and those who govern locally to better self-determine a sustainable path forward. Proof of concept projects will be considered for each region, accounting for social indicators and the human dimension of these natural systems.
Stay tuned for the proceedings!
To view the Summit overview and agenda, click here.
For additional information, please contact Brendan McGinnis at bmcginnis@thehorinkogroup.org.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched an initiative to promote expeditious remediation and revitalization of Superfund sites. The goal of the initiative is to dramatically improve the progress of cleanups across the country by incentivizing stakeholders, encouraging private investment in cleanups, and applying best practices that lead to full beneficial use of properties across the country. A Superfund Task Force established by the U.S. EPA Administrator published a set of recommendations on July 25, 2017 to meet this goal.
To foster a timely response to this initiative, on August 10, 2017, THG in partnership with HSW Engineering convened the Superfund Initiative Roundtable with federal and state agencies, private and public responsible parties, and nongovernmental organizations. The Roundtable provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss creative, workable solutions to mitigate administrative, technical, and financial barriers to completing environmental cleanups and returning properties to productive use.
A summary report of the discussion will be available in the coming weeks on the THG Roundtable webpage.
To download the Roundtable resources, click here.
On behalf of the Water Research Foundation, THG in collaboration with PLDO conducted an assessment of public-private partnership (P3) opportunities for water and water resource recovery utility (W&WRRU) energy projects. The final report, Public-Private Partnership Opportunities for Water and Water Resource Recovery Utility Energy Projects, will assist W&WRRUs identify opportunities and undertake energy projects through P3s. The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation was a partner on this project.
The report includes a detailed review and discussion of relevant energy projects and P3 issues, including energy and P3 project drivers, legal matters, risk allocation, financing options, contractual drafting and structuring, and monitoring and oversight. Collaborating with a geographically diverse set of utilities, the report contains case studies providing concrete examples and lessons learned for P3 energy projects at W&WRRUs. The report concludes with a set of recommended best practices for undertaking such projects.
To download the report, click here.
The Horinko Group is pleased to welcome to its extended team Beth Pitrolo, Senior Advisor on Permitting & Compliance and Frank Miles, M.P.A., Senior Advisor on Community Empowerment & Management.
Ms. Pitrolo served nearly two decades as Assistant District Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With a focus on attaining results while navigating a complex environmental regulatory landscape, she has been involved in a variety of environmental programs, including Hurricane Katrina remedial response at the Louisiana Recovery Field Office, defense of Clean Water Act permits, ensuring NEPA compliance for multi-million dollar civil works construction projects and development and implementation of CERCLA cleanup activities associated with radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project.
Mr. Miles has over 25 years of service in government administration, planning, and economic and community development programing. He has served as a City Planning Director for two municipalities, City Manager/Administrator, County Planning and Development Manager, City and County Economic and Community Development Director, County Treasurer, College Administrator, Business Developer and as a Congressional Chief of Staff. He is a convener and facilitator assisting communities and their leaders to create an economic and community development vision.
To read Ms. Pitrolo’s full bio, visit http://bit.ly/2mTwtvv.
To read Mr. Miles full bio, visit http://bit.ly/2mjZv6r.
On behalf of the Water Research Foundation, THG in collaboration with PLDO (formerly PLDW) have undertaken an assessment of public-private partnership (P3) opportunities for water and wastewater utility (WWU) energy projects. A Best Practices Guide to be released later this year will assist WWUs identify opportunities and undertake energy projects through P3s.
The Guide will include a detailed review and discussion of relevant P3 issues, including energy and P3 project drivers, legal matters, risk allocation, financing options, contractual drafting and structuring, and monitoring and oversight. Collaborating with a geographically diverse set of utilities, the Guide will also include case studies providing concrete examples and lessons learned for P3 energy projects at WWUs. The Guide will finish with a set of recommended best practices for undertaking such projects.
On February 9, 2017 at the AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference, THG Director Sean McGinnis along with PLDO Partner Bruce Tobey presented their preliminary findings on the panel Implementing Solutions Through P3s. A copy of the presentation slides is available for download here.
To review the P3 presentation slides visit, http://bit.ly/2mhiSeN.
To review the AWWA/WEF conference program visit, http://bit.ly/2lCpLdl.
