Environmental Leadership Learning Conference
Tailored to the needs of environmental managers and their teams
LOCATION | AGENDA | REGISTRATION | AWARD | COMMITTEE
Monday, April 4 – Wednesday, April 6, 2022
The MEA Environmental Learning Conference is designed by and for utility and consultant personnel and provides timely and relevant information on environmental issues facing the energy industry nationally. The 2.5-day event is tailored to the needs of environmental managers and their teams, covering a range of topics and roundtable discussions such as emerging issues, MGP, and decommissioning.
Location
Chicago & Virtual
Aon Center (hosted by WEC Energy Group)
200 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Recommended Hotels
- Fairmont Chicago – Millennium Park – 0.3 miles from the Aon Center
To receive 15% off of the standard rate, call (312) 565-6693 and ask for Cali Gannon or call (312) 565-6634 and ask for Bernadette Espinosa and reference the WEC rate while booking your reservation. - Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk – 0.4 miles from the Aon Center
- Hyatt Regency Chicago – 0.3 miles from the Aon Center
Travel Notice
While MEA intends to host this conference in a hybrid format, we cannot guarantee availability of the venue due to the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation. MEA and the host venue are closely monitoring the circumstances and will make a decision regarding the in-person portion by Friday, February 18, 2022. We suggest waiting to purchase airfare until then or consider travel insurance.
If we are not able to host the event in-person, the event will continue in a fully virtual rather than hybrid and your registration will transfer accordingly. MEA will refund the difference in the registration fee and any paid activity fees.
Agenda
Monday, April 4, 2022
- Time TBD | ISS Job Site Tour
Join us on the MEA field trip to the Former Crawford Manufactured Gas Plant, where Peoples Gas is performing a United States Environmental Protection Agency time critical removal action using in-situ stabilization (ISS). The tour will start at Burns & McDonnell’s downtown Chicago office for a safety orientation and site overview. Field trip attendees will then be transported to the project site, approximately a half hour from the Burns & McDonnell office. The onsite portion of the tour will include observing the in-situ stabilization activities, as well as an overview of the air monitoring program, the onsite water treatment system and offsite community considerations. Following the onsite tour, we will visit a local restaurant for refreshments before heading back to the city center.
- Time TBD | Welcome Reception
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | What to Do When Your Remediation Project Needs a Reset | John Hesemann
Remediation
Tools and strategies for overcoming challenges on complex remediation sites:
- Strategies, tools and best practices for maximizing the use of existing data.
- Integrated approaches to expedite the remediation process and achieve results at a lower cost.
- Two case studies will be presented to demonstrate application and proofs of concept.
- 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Remediation
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Remediation
- 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Renewables / Climate Change
- 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM | Renewables / Climate Change
- 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Renewables / Climate Change
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Renewables / Climate Change
- 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | Topic Related to the Chicago Field Tour
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Chicago Field Tour
Please join MEA Environmental Conference attendees on a Windy City downtown project walk to learn and discuss stormwater/wastewater and solid material disposal practices in an urbanized environment.
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Chicago River Architecture Boat Tour & Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | PFAS
Emerging Contaminants
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | State Regulatory Roundtable | Regulators from IL, WI, MN, MI and the EPA
Government
- 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | ESG at Alliant Energy | Jeff Hansen
Government
Discussion on Alliant Energy’s approach to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. Will discuss goals, disclosure, transparency and methods to addressing ESG interest of stakeholders.
- 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM | Generator Improvement Rule | Daniel Didier
Government
This presentation will focus on the 2016 Generator Improvement Rule, including:
- The Current Status of the Rule.
- What RCRA requirements have changed under the Rule.
- Best Management Practices, Clarifications and Recommendations contained throughout the Rule.
- 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Deep Trouble: When Design-Phase Simplicity Meets Construction-Phase Reality | Gordon Araujo
Project Management
- Magnitude discussion about how deviations from the design impact construction implementation.
- Impact to cost and disposal options when asbestos tiles are found in below grade gas holder historic backfill debris.
- Lessons learned and best practices for managing historic gas holder backfill debris.
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Project Management
- 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Waste / Decommissioning
- 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Contractor Selection Roundtable
Project Management
Hear from a utility supply chain manager and from a contractor. Also, learn about supply chain diversity.
- 2:45 PM | Meeting Adjourned
Registration
Registration Rates
In-Person Registrations
- Member Utility Rate, In-Person* | $350/person [SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE]
- Non-Member Utility Rate, In-Person | $350/person [SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE]
- Member Non-Utility Rate, In-Person* | $650/person
- Non-Member Non-Utility Rate, In-Person | $750/person
Virtual Registrations
- Member Utility Rate, Virtual* | $200 for unlimited registrations [SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE]
- Non-Member Utility Rate, Virtual | $200 for unlimited registrations [SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE]
- Member Non-Utility Rate, Virtual* | $500/person
- Non-Member Non-Utility Rate, Virtual | $600/person
Buy one, get one in-person
Buy one in-person utility registration, get one complimentary in-person registration for an attendee from the same company. Redemption instructions available at registration.
Buy one in-person, get unlimited
Buy one in-person utility registration, get unlimited complimentary virtual registration for attendees from the same company. Redemption instructions available at registration.
Buy one virtual, get unlimited
Buy one utility virtual registration, get unlimited virtual registrations for attendees from the same company. Redemption instructions available at registration.
Distinguished Environmental Professional Award
Acknowledge an outstanding environmental professional
This award was established in 2016 to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions in the environmental area of the energy industry. We are now accepting nominations for the 2022 award.
Learn MoreCommittee
The Environmental Committee consists of a number of environmental professionals from utilities and consulting firms. The purpose of our committee is to provide resources and educational opportunities to the energy industry on the diverse set of environmental issues related to both the management of environmental liabilities as well as those encountered in the field.
Committee FAQQuestions? Contact Lauren Denney.
