THG Advisors

December 2017

siteadmin — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 01:51:44 +0000

The Horinko Group’s latest newsletter, an all new December 2017 edition, is now available.

The Horinko Group’s bulletin includes our latest headlines and reports, columns from our network of experts, and information on upcoming events. To read past newsletters or sign up for future newsletters, click here.

Superfund Roundtable Summary Report Now Available

siteadmin — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 22:05:18 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched an initiative to promote expeditious remediation and revitalization of Superfund sites. The goal of the initiative is to dramatically improve the progress of cleanups across the country by incentivizing stakeholders, encouraging private investment in cleanups, and applying best practices that lead to full beneficial use of properties across the country. A Superfund Task Force established by the U.S. EPA Administrator published a set of recommendations on July 25, 2017 to meet this goal.

To foster a timely response to this initiative, on August 10, 2017, THG in partnership with HSW Engineering convened the Superfund Initiative Roundtable with federal and state agencies, private and public responsible parties, and nongovernmental organizations. The Roundtable provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss creative, workable solutions to mitigate administrative, technical, and financial barriers to completing environmental cleanups and returning properties to productive use.

A summary report of the Roundtable discussion is now available. To download the Roundtable summary report, click here.

To download the Roundtable overview materials, click here.

The Future of Transboundary Water Management Summit — Cooperation, Informed Decision-Making, and Empowering Local Actors

siteadmin — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:21:36 +0000

October 12, 2017 / Washington, DC

The ubiquitous growth of big data has revealed significant implications for better informed water resources decision-making. Constantly improving analytics can provide operational managers and policy-makers with better informed choices. Real time monitoring, early impairment detection, tracking water contaminants and identifying sources, and the impact of drought in arid regions have game-changing value in improving negotiations across state and international borders. But, how can the over-abundance of data be managed effectively to guide decisions by science and fact, rather than conjecture and politics?

The Horinko Group and the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities addressed this question at its 2017 Summit hosted in Washington, DC on October 12. An impressive collaboration of presenters discussed implications of big data management from the conflict-torn Jordan River in the Middle East, to the complicated water rights of the Western United States, to the Mississippi River’s cyclic drought and abundance. The invitation-only gathering convened key capacity and community-builders on a national and international scale, well positioned to make immediate and measurable impacts.

Thank you to our Summit partners, The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center, and to our Summit supporters, Booz Allen Hamilton, HSW Engineering, Crowell & Moring, and Water Resource Action Project.

Press Release: Transboundary Water Management Summit

siteadmin — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 02:31:57 +0000

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-

The Horinko Group and The Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation, Announce a Summit Exploring Topics of Transboundary Water Management

The 2017 Summit will explore the future of transboundary water management with a focus using a humanities lens on cooperation, informed decision-making and the capacity building of local actors.

Washington D.C., October 2, 2017 – The Horinko Group, a leading environmental consulting firm, is proud to announce their 2017 Summit, The Future of Transboundary Water Management – Cooperation, Informed Decision-Making, and Empowering Local Actors, to be held on October 12th, 2017 in Washington D.C. The Summit is a partnership with the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, and The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center.

This year’s Summit will discuss implications of using big data analysis to reach better-informed decisions on the use of water resources. This method for water management has the potential for improving the human condition from the Jordan River in the conflict-torn Middle East, to the complicated issues of water rights in the Western United States, to the cyclic water pulse events resulting in droughts and destructive flooding along the Mississippi River. Empowering local actors to access and utilize big data with purpose and confidence is an important step in positioning those who govern locally to course correct onto a sustainable path forward.

To read the remainder of the press release, click here.

September 2017

siteadmin — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 12:28:14 +0000

The Horinko Group’s latest newsletter, an all new September 2017 edition, is now available.

THG to Host Summit on the Future of Transboundary Water Management

siteadmin — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 12:22:26 +0000

On October 12, THG in partnership with the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation will gather in Washington, DC to convene a Summit entitled, The Future of Transboundary Water Management – Cooperation, Informed Decision-Making, and Empowering Local Actors, which will discuss implications of big data management for improving the human condition from the conflict-torn Jordan River in the Middle East, to the complicated water rights of the Western United States, to the Mississippi River’s cyclic drought and abundance.

Empowering local actors to access and utilize data with purpose and confidence is an important step in positioning farm operators, utility managers, and those who govern locally to better self-determine a sustainable path forward. Proof of concept projects will be considered for each region, accounting for social indicators and the human dimension of these natural systems.

Stay tuned for the proceedings!

To view the Summit overview and agenda, click here.

For additional information, please contact Brendan McGinnis at bmcginnis@thehorinkogroup.org.

Recap of Superfund Initiative Roundtable

siteadmin — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 12:18:31 +0000

A summary report of the discussion will be available in the coming weeks on the THG Roundtable webpage.

To download the Roundtable resources, click here.

Webinar: Public-Private Partnership Opportunities for Water and Water Resource Recovery Utility Energy Projects

siteadmin — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 01:24:38 +0000

On behalf of the Water Research Foundation, THG in collaboration with PLDO conducted an assessment of public-private partnership (P3) opportunities for water and water resource recovery utility (W&WRRU) energy projects. The final report, Public-Private Partnership Opportunities for Water and Water Resource Recovery Utility Energy Projects, will assist W&WRRUs identify opportunities and undertake energy projects through P3s. The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation was a partner on this project.

On September 28, WRF hosted a webcast where co-authors Sean McGinnis, Director of The Horinko Group; Emily Hammond, Senior Advisor of The Horinko Group; and Bruce Tobey, Of Counsel with PLDO, provided real-world insights on legal, financing, contracting, and risk management practices by reflecting on their water-energy marketplace research and various case studies. They also highlighted the characteristics, challenges, barriers, risks, incentives, and benefits associated with P3 energy initiatives at W&WRRUs. Their goal is to better position utilities to consider the use of P3s to achieve their infrastructure needs in the most financially and environmentally effective manner possible.

To view the webinar, click here.

To download the report, click here.

New Report: Public-Private Partnership Opportunities for Water and Water Resource Recovery Utility Energy Projects

siteadmin — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 01:14:05 +0000

The report includes a detailed review and discussion of relevant energy projects and P3 issues, including energy and P3 project drivers, legal matters, risk allocation, financing options, contractual drafting and structuring, and monitoring and oversight. Collaborating with a geographically diverse set of utilities, the report contains case studies providing concrete examples and lessons learned for P3 energy projects at W&WRRUs. The report concludes with a set of recommended best practices for undertaking such projects.

To download the report, click here.

The Water & Environmental Technology Center: Collaborating for Solutions

siteadmin — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:00:18 +0000

By: Paul J. Yaroschak, President, Sustainable Methods, LLC, and THG Senior Advisor for Sustainability, Site Cleanup, and Chemical Risk Management

Summary

The Water & Environmental Technology (WET) Center is a model for capacity building and collaboration among academia, government, and industry. The Center conducts cutting edge research directed by the Industrial Advisory Board members, who share the results of the research, including intellectual property rights. The Center’s “technology roadmap” is focused on emerging and conventional contaminants, wastewater, drinking water, and water resources, including water reuse. Under the overall purview of the National Science Foundation, the Center demonstrates how research focused on current and emerging challenges can result in real-world commercial solutions that can help people and communities. As an example, one of the member companies recently commercialized a treatment technology for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) resulting from Center research. This technology will help communities address PFAS contamination in drinking water sources.

What is the Water & Environmental Technology (WET) Center?

The WET Center is an “Industry and University Cooperative Research Program” under the purview of the National Science Foundation. The Center was established in 2009 at Temple University, with subsequent partner sites at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. The WET Center develops innovative methods and technologies to protect water quality by detecting, assessing, and treating conventional and emerging contaminants (ECs). The WET Center works with industrial partners to ensure the work is relevant to industry and the environmental issues they are addressing.

What is the function of the Industrial Advisory Board?

All members serve on the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), which is critical to the success of the Center. The IAB members assist in research direction and review progress. IAB members include companies in such sectors as treatment technologies, contaminated site cleanup, personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Other members include the Department of Defense and a number of water and wastewater sanitation districts. Two program reviews are held for IAB members each year; one review is held in Pennsylvania and one review is held in Arizona.

What kind of research is performed?

The Center focuses on industry-relevant, pre-competitive research. IAB members collaboratively developed a “technology roadmap” to steer research efforts. The overarching concept is to have the tools to understand an entire problem, from detection to successful treatment. Efforts can generally be grouped into three research thrusts: Analytical Technologies, Risk Assessment, and Treatment Technologies. A detailed topic list is shown below.

Analytical Technologies

Method development and testing for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and EC Detection
EC & API occurrence studies in aqueous environments
Watershed water quality – chemical & biological markers for pollution source tracking
Real-time molecular detection of pathogens
Sensor development

Risk Assessment

Environmental fate and treatability studies
In Vitro and in Vivo toxicity and estrogenicity studies
Database of ECs (Exposure, Toxicity, Treatability) – Over 10,000 Records

Treatment Technology

Water conservation and reuse
Smart water distribution systems
Municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment
Advanced technology combinations that create synergy
Ultra-violet, Ozone, Ultrasound, Chemical Oxidation
Membrane filtration
Regenerable and reusable filters
Ion-Exchange and polymeric resins
Membrane and other biological reactors

Laboratory Facilities

The WET Center uses state of the art laboratories. Those familiar with sampling and laboratory testing will understand the following abbreviations for the Center’s analytical capabilities which include UPLC/PDA/QToF/, UPLC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS, GC/MS-P&T, Iron Chromatograph, and PCR analysis. The WET Center has both bench and pilot scale treatment labs. Bench scale instrumentation includes flow through and column tests, batch reactors and a Collimnated Beam Device. The Pilot Scale testing labs include all of the technologies listed above. There is seamless integration between the three laboratories; creating project efficiency and continuity.

The benefits of IAB member collaboration

IAB members help identify industry relevant research and share the intellectual property. In accordance with the Bayh-Dole Act, member companies receive a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable license to use and commercialize intellectual property that emerges from the work of the Center during the time of their membership. One of the IAB members has commercialized a treatment technology resulting from Center research for PFAS. Another treatment technology is in the development stage and is the subject of a proposed pilot project at a DoD installation. Collaboration pays dividends; the return on research investments for members is high because costs are leveraged and shared by all members. Additionally, the Center has low overhead and much of the research is done by affordable graduate and post-doctorate students under the supervision of university professors. IAB members can get access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, opportunities for confidential research and outstanding networking and collaboration opportunities. Regarding capacity building, the Center also provides the opportunity to engage with student researchers and help train the next generation of scientists and engineers. Some of the IAB member companies have hired the Center’s post-doctorate students after project completion, thus providing a pipeline for talent. For further information, please contact the author at the address below.

Note: Mr. Yaroschak previously served as Director, Environmental Compliance & Restoration Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations & Environment). Most recently, he served as the Deputy for Chemical & Material Risk Management within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He is currently President of Sustainable Methods, LLC and THG Senior Advisor for Sustainability, Site Cleanup, and Chemical Risk Management. He also serves as an advisor to the WET Center. He can be reached at SMethods@outlook.com.