September 2019
THE BLACKSTONE BRIEFING
Environmental Protection Agency Updates
2020-2023 National Compliance Initiatives

EPA has selected six National Compliance Initiatives (NCIs) for fiscal years 2020-2023 for the enforcement and compliance assurance program.

The six NCIs advance EPA’s objectives to improve air quality, provide for clean and safe water, ensure chemical safety, and improve compliance with environmental laws, while sharing accountability between EPA, states, and Indian tribes with authorized environmental programs. 

Rules for Existing MSW Landfills

EPA published two actions related to the 2016 Emission Guidelines for Existing MSW Landfills in August 2019.

The emission guidelines for MSW landfills (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Cf) require existing landfills (constructed, reconstructed, or modified before July 17, 2014) that reach a landfill gas emissions rate of 34 megagrams of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) or more per year or closed landfills that reach an emissions rate of 50 megagrams of NMOC or more per year to install a system to collect and control landfill gas.

Proposed Adjustment to the Two-Step New Source Review Process

On August 9, 2019 EPA proposed the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR): Project Emissions Accounting regulation to clarify and eliminate uncertainty relating to Step 1 of the New Source Review applicability process.

Project Profile: Landfill Gas System Expansion
Blackstone Environmental recently provided engineering design and construction oversight for the landfill gas collection and control system (GCCS) expansion at the Hamm Landfill in Lawrence, Kansas.

The GCCS consists of vertical gas extraction wells, collection and control piping, leachate condensate sumps, leachate forcemains, air supply lines, and control valves. The site includes a landfill gas-to-energy plant which converts the collected LFG into usable pipeline quality, high-BTU natural gas. The first phase of the GCCS was constructed in 2016. The second phase of GCCS included installation of 14 vertical extraction wells along with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) collection piping.

Employee Spotlight: Rowley Tedlock
Rowley Tedlock is a Principal at Blackstone Environmental. He joined Blackstone in 2012 and currently provides overall operations management of Blackstone’s environmental services.

His expertise includes environmental assessment, remedial investigation/remediation, NEPA analysis, streambank stabilization, and environmental planning and permitting.

Rowley is an avid Jayhawk fan, sailor, skier, backpacker, and outdoor cook. He is in the Camp-master Corps with the BSA Heart of America Council.
Blackstone Scoop
Congrats! Mat Edwards , Blackstone Environmental Geologist, has acquired his Remote Pilot Certification. With this designation, Matt can fly Blackstone's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for creating site models, aerials, topographic maps and acquiring hard-to-get imagery. See more about our UAV and Geospatial Services .

Check it out! Visit Blackstone's newly redesigned website for details on ou r services, projects, staff, events and more.
Supporting a good cause! Earlier this month, Mat Edwards , Lindsay James , Anne Melia and Kelli Calhoon participated in the Miles for Mark 5K, a fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society and honoring Mat's father-in-law.
Kudos! Blackstone Senior Project Manager Lindsay James (pictured with Michael Kukuk ) was re-elected to the Missouri Waste Control Coalition Board of Directors during the recent 2019 MWCC Environmental Conference.
Out & About
We hope to see you at these upcoming professional events:
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2019
Overland Park, KS
913.495.9990
Des Moines, IA
515.473.0978
Iowa City, IA
319.331.1577
CONNECT WITH US