53rd Annual Spring Technical Workshop & Forum
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Impacts on Environmental Policy and Regulations and Other Developing Air Issues
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April 6-8, 2022
Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
9:00-11:30 AM - Navigating Electronic Reporting Systems
(Pre-Registration and Additional $120 Fee Required)
Ilya Alimov, TRC
Kathryn Drennan, TRC
Robert VandenMeiracker, TRC
In 1986 Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) that required reporting of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) information. In 1990’s EPA began to allow submittal of TRI data electronically and in 2014 required that data to be provided electronically. Since then, EPA has rolled out numerous other electronic reporting requirements such as stack test results and compliance reporting in the Compliance and Emissions Data Reporting Interface (CEDRI), the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT), and chemical risk management planning with RMP*eSubmit. This session will cover the basics of registration, report preparation, and submittal of some of the most common programs. Data quality, typical challenges associated with the e-reporting process, and potential solutions to those challenges will also be discussed. The session will wrap up with a discussion of how publicly available data and analysis of these data are communicated to the public, and how this data informs EPA rulemaking efforts in Residual Risk and Toxicity Reviews required under the CAA Section 112 for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
11:30 AM-1:30 PM - Young Professionals Committee Lunch Meeting (RSVP Required)
1:30-1:40 PM - Conference Welcome & Introductory Remarks
Mike Abraczinskas, CAPCA Vice President & Chair of Program Committee
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1:40-3:00 PM - Overview and Impacts of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Peter O’Keefe - Principal, Capital Management International, Washington, D.C.
Mark McIntire - Director, Government Affairs, Energy, the Environment and Stakeholder Engagement
Jennifer Weiss – Senior Advisor for Climate Change Policy, NCDOT
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The $1.2 trillion Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021. The IIJA includes funding to modernize our roads, bridges, ports, and airports, to perform new climate resilience projects such as electric school buses, electric vehicle infrastructure, and zero-low emission public transit, and to protect our nation’s drinking and surface water through removal of lead pipes and remediation of PFAS contamination. This session will provide an overview of the IIJA from a Washington, D.C. perspective with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of the bill. In addition, Duke Energy will provide overview of IIJA opportunities as they pertain to electric grid and transmission investments as well as vehicle electrification. Finally, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will present on the Governor’s EO246 requirement to develop a NC Clean Transportation Plan and the actions currently underway in North Carolina to decarbonize the transportation sector.
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3:00-3:30 PM - Break
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3:30-5:00 PM - The Future of Energy
John E.P. Morrison, President and CEO, E4 Carolinas
Dan Dunleavy, Managing Director, Energy & Climate Markets, Ingevity
Travis Tarbet, Environmental Manager, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
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Energy technology continues its swift evolution, often creating stress on traditional policies and regulatory constructs. Customers demand choice and increased reliance on renewable energy sources. Climate policy is being developed at the state and federal level. How will the energy sector in the Carolinas meet these expectations without sacrificing relatively low rates and exceptional reliability while avoiding unintended consequences? This session will explore the possible future of energy policy and regulation, provide examples of corporate sustainability and electrification technology, and share other new energy solutions being used today as well as what is likely to emerge in the future. Representatives from BMW and Ingevity also will have their fully-electric and renewable fuel vehicle technologies on display at the conference.
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Thursday, April 7, 2022
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8:30-8:40 AM - Welcome & Introductory Remarks
Jessie King, CAPCA President
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Morning Presentations
8:40-9:10 AM
USEPA Region 4 Update: Please welcome EPA and join us for an update on activities and priorities for EPA Region 4 on air quality matters and how these affect sources in North and South Carolina.
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Caroline Freeman, Director, Air & Radiation Division, USEPA Region 4
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9:10-9:45 AM
This presentation will provide an update on air quality priorities and activities before the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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Rhonda Banks Thompson, P.E., Chief, Bureau of Air Quality, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
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9:45-10:20 AM
This presentation will provide an update on air quality priorities and activities before the NC Department of Environmental Quality.
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Mike Abraczinskas, Director, Division of Air Quality, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
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10:20-10:50 AM - Break
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10:50-11:25AM - Q&A - Morning Speakers
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11:25 AM-12:00 PM - Remarks from the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Elizabeth S. Biser, Secretary, NC Department of Environmental Quality
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12:00-1:00 PM - Lunch Break
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1:30-3:00 PM - Environmental Justice in Air Quality Programs
Brian Holtzclaw - Chief, Environmental Justice and Children’s Health Section, USEPA Region 4
Michael Pjetraj - Deputy Director, Division of Air Quality, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Sharon Martin - Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Keisha Long - Environmental Justice Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
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The presenters in this session will provide an overview of the Region 4 and States’ implementation of their Environmental Justice programs. They will also walk us through their implementation tools (as available) to provide stakeholders with the means to consider and understand potential environmental justice issues that may impact their facilities and surrounding communities. These speakers will also provide examples of success stories of cooperation.
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3:00-3:30 PM - Break
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3:30-5:00 PM - Experiences Building Community Relationships
Emily Sherlock, Robinson Bradshaw
Stephen Stroud, Enviva
April Montgomery, SWCA Environmental
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In this session, we will discuss why it is a good idea to make the extra effort to establish good community relationships and not just stop at demonstrating compliance with your environmental permits. We will hear perspectives and experiences from legal, manufacturing industry, and community outreach professionals. The session will start with a short presentation from each panelist and then we will have a discussion on different perspectives and on what each has learned about the importance of advance communication and community outreach prior to and after submittal of environmental permit applications. We encourage questions and input from the audience during this session.
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Friday, April 8, 2022
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8:30-8:35 AM - Welcome & Announcements
Jessie King, CAPCA President
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8:35-10:00 AM - PFAS in the Environment: The Importance of the Air Quality Pathway
Eric Wood, Global PFAS Leader, Ramboll
Aaryn Jones – Emerging Contaminants Coordinator, Office of the Regional Administrator, USEPA Region 4
Matt Traister, Vice-President, Ramboll
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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Much of the interest, research into health impacts, and regulatory developments over the last decade have focused on PFAS in water. However, the importance of the air quality pathway has become better understood in recent years. This session will focus on keys issues and facts related to PFAS, EPA's PFAS road map, and a case study on fate and transport of PFAS from a small air emissions source.
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10:00-10:45 AM - Break
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10:45 AM-12:00 PM - Legal Perspectives: Public Participation, Permit Challenges, and Citizen’s Suits Under the Clean Air Act
Todd Roessler, Kilpatrick Townsend – Public Participation Procedures and Challenges to Title V Permitting Actions under the Clean Air Act
Bernie Hawkins, Nelson Mullins – Citizen’s Suits under the Clean Air Act
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This session will focus on channels available to third parties to participate in air quality permitting actions, to challenge permits through state administrative procedures or with USEPA through a Title V Petition, or to sue USEPA or regulated entities through the Citizen’s Suit under the Clean Air Act. Todd Roessler of Kilpatrick Townsend will focus on public participation procedures and challenges to air quality permits. Bernie Hawkins will then review the Citizen Suit provisions and procedures under the Clean Air Act.
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12:00-1:30 PM - Conference Wrap Up, Lunch and Board Meeting
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