Environmental Leadership Learning Conference
Tailored to the needs of environmental managers and their teams
AGENDA | RATES | AWARD | COMMITTEE
Virtual | 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.
Agenda
Monday, April 4, 2022
- 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome / Intro to Conference
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | What to Do When Your Remediation Project Needs a Reset | John Hesemann, Burns & McDonnell
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
- Tools and strategies for overcoming challenges on complex remediation sites:
- 10:30 AM – 10:40 AM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion
- 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM | CCR Groundwater Compliance using Hydraulic Control and Metals Treatment | Derek Ingram, Loureiro Engineering Associates
Renewables & Climate Change
- 11:10 AM – 11:20 AM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Derek
- 11:20 AM – 11:40 AM | Break
- 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM | How Much Will It Cost? Understanding Financial Uncertainties of Long-Term Sediment Cap Monitoring and Maintenance | Meredith Hayes, GZA Environmental
Remediation
- 12:10 PM – 12:20 PM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Meredith
- 12:20 PM – 12:50 PM | Deep Trouble: When Design-Phase Simplicity Meets Construction-Phase Reality | Gordon Araujo, UGI Utilities, Inc.
- 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.
- 12:50 PM – 1:00 PM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Gordon
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Renewables & Climate Change Session
- 1:30 PM – 1:40 PM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion
- 1:40 PM | Wrap Up
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
- 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome
- 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM | Distinguished Environmental Award Presentation
- 10:10 AM – 10:40 AM | Natural Gas in a Low Carbon World | Keith Bodger, Nicor Gas – Southern Company Gas
Renewables / Climate Change
- 10:40 AM – 10:50 AM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion
- 10:50 AM – 11:10 AM | Break
- 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM | Utility of the Future | Neena Hemmady, Vice President Support Services – ComEd
Feature Presentation
- An overview of how ComEd/Exelon is addressing their path to clean to become the utility of the future.
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Contractor Selection Roundtable | Kate Kiselyk (Nicor Gas), Julie Paschal (Southern Company, Ivan Williamson (Burns & McDonnell) and Elizabeth D’Eramo (Exelon) – Moderated by Catherine Stott
One of the greatest challenges organizations face is hiring the right contractor for the job. When sourcing work, considerations include price, performance, safety, capacity, and diversity status among other factors. Hear from representatives from the utility industry’s Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Diversity groups, as well as consultants on their perspective regarding contractor selection. The roundtable members will discuss their goals during the contractor and subcontractor selection process and how they move forward collectively to provide the expertise, value and diversity necessary to successfully complete projects.
- 1:00 PM | Wrap Up
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
- 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | PFAS | Dennis Keane, Loureiro Engineering Associates
Emerging Contaminants
The presentation will give a brief introduction to:
- The general chemical properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that influence remedial approaches
- A summary of remedial technologies currently being implemented for PFAS, with factors that impact performance
- A high-level overview of remedial technologies that are currently in development for PFAS.
- 11:30 AM – 11:40 AM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Dennis
- 10:40 AM – 11:20 AM | State Regulatory Roundtable | Representatives from WI, MI, IL, & the EPA
Government
State and federal agency representatives familiar with their agency’s development and application of PFAS regulations will discuss how they are developing and applying PFAS regulations to site investigations and remediation projects. This moderated discussion will offer conference participants an opportunity to hear how several states and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is moving forward with this emerging contaminant. The panel will also address questions from various utility companies. Currently the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and US EPA are scheduled to participate, which agency representatives from several other states expected to be confirmed in the near future.
- 11:20 AM – 11:30 AM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion
- 11:30 AM – 11:40 AM | Break
- 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM | ESG at Alliant Energy | Jeff Hansen, Alliant Energy
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.
- 12:10 PM – 12:20 PM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Jeff
- 12:20 PM – 12:50 PM | The Story of Plant Riverside in Savannah, GA | Erik Rolle, Southern Company & Christian Sottile, Sottile & Sottile
Decommissioning
- The story of Plant Riverside in Savannah, GA.
- The story of how an old coal fired power plant transformed into an exuberant entertainment district along the riverfront of Savanah, GA.
- 12:50 PM – 1:00 PM | Q/A & Moderated Discussion with Panel
- 1:00 PM | Wrap Up
Rates
- Utility Rate | $300* for unlimited registrations [SPECIAL PROMOTION AVAILABLE]
- Member Non-Utility Rate | $400/person
- Non-Member Non-Utility Rate| $500/person
*Buy one utility virtual registration, get unlimited virtual registrations for attendees from the same company. Redemption instructions available at registration.
Register NowDistinguished 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. Nominations are closed for the 2022 awards.
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.