The State of USEPA Region 5 and Priorities for 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Union League Club
Guest speaker will be Kurt Thiede, Regional Administrator, USEPA Region 5. Kurt Thiede serves as the Regional Administrator for EPA Region 5. His responsibilities include overseeing environmental protection efforts in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, as well as 35 federally recognized tribal governments. One of his roles is manager of EPA’s Great Lakes National Program, in which he leads restoration and protection of the largest freshwater system in the world. Previously, he was the chief of staff for the Region, fostering strong partnerships to promote collaborative environmental protection efforts.2020 Annual Waste Conference
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Union League Club
Please join us to explore and learn about the current state of critical issues related to a wide range of topics focused on managing waste materials. The day will include opportunities to engage in discussion with U.S. EPA, Region 5 and State waste regulators; get status updates regarding the implementation of recent regulations and policies and how they may impact your business; hear success stories and cautionary tales; and ask questions of regulators or your peers regarding your own waste management challenges as you network with attendees and speakers.
Check this website periodically for updates and registration for both events.Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Greater Chicago
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Special Guest Speaker, Jennifer Wasik, Assistant Director
Monitoring and Research Dept, Industrial Waste Division
Ms. Wasik will be discussing the work of the Monitoring and Research Department, regulatory programs and the ordinances they administer and enforce.
Jennifer Wasik has worked for the MWRDGC since 2001 as an aquatic biologist, a principal environmental scientist, and currently as the Assistant Director of the Monitoring and Research Department in the Industrial Waste Division, managing the District’s Pretreatment and User Charge Programs. Until recently, when she joined the Industrial Waste Division, she oversaw waterway monitoring programs and water quality related projects in the Chicago area waterways. Jennifer’s recent focus areas have included nutrient implementation planning, evaluating road salt impacts and attainability of chloride water quality regulations, and working with local stakeholders to ensure the Chicago waterways can support many applicable uses.
Click here for additional information and registration
On December 20, 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the NDAA adds certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals subject to TRI reporting and establishes a framework for including additional PFAS on the TRI list. Note that the addition of these chemicals is immediate. Facilities in TRI-covered industry sectors should begin tracking and collecting data on these chemicals in 2020. Reporting on these chemicals will be due by July 1, 2021, for 2020 data.
These recommendations provide clear and consistent guidance for federal cleanup sites being evaluated and addressed under federal programs, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) and corrective action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The recommendations in this guidance may also be useful for state, tribal, or other regulatory authorities (e.g., federal facility cleanup programs and approved state RCRA corrective action programs); though, many states have promulgated state standards that may be considered ARARs under CERCLA. While EPA is issuing interim guidance, final remedial decisions under CERCLA will be specific to each site to ensure protectiveness, as required by statute.
Thank you to all our wonderful members and exhibitors for making 2019 a successful year. We look forward to seeing everyone during 2020 at our various events and conferences.