NEPA Professionals Take Note: Key Updates from CEQ’s Latest Guidance

/

First, nothing is happening to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) itself. NEPA, enacted on January 1, 1970 (Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), remains in full force and is not being challenged. It has been amended several times, most recently by the Fiscal Responsibilities Act (FRA) of 2023. The current discussions are not about the NEPA law but about the Council of Environmental Quality’s (CEQ's) ability to establish regulations. Additionally, federal agencies are being asked to reconsider their NEPA implementing regulations to streamline the process.

Read More

Solar Energy: A Cornerstone of the U.S. Renewable Transition

/
Solar Energy: A Cornerstone of the U.S. Renewable Transition

Solar energy is pivotal in the U.S. shift to renewable energy, providing a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels capture solar energy and convert it into electricity. The popularity of solar PV panels has surged in recent years. According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight 2023 Year in Review by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar accounted for 53% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid in 2023. By the end of 2023, the U.S. solar industry had added a record-breaking 32.4 gigawatts (GW) of new solar PV capacity, a 37% increase from the previous record set in 2021, and a 51% increase from 2022. The installed capacity of solar PV systems in the U.S. exceeded 100 GW in 2022, with 75% of this capacity deployed within the previous five years. Now, U.S. solar capacity exceeds 200 GW, enough to power 56 million American homes.

Read More

The Macro-sized Problems Caused by Microplastics

/
The Macro-sized Problems Caused by Microplastics

Plastics are such a part of our everyday life that we hardly notice how ubiquitous they have become. They are found everywhere, from food containers and clothing to car parts and medical equipment.  Microplastics are small plastic particles, generally less than 5 millimeters in size, that occur in a wide range of shapes and materials. Due to their small size, microplastics are easily transported by wind, water currents, and stormwater and have been found all over the world in the air, soil, and water, and human and animal body tissues and fluids. Scientists are learning more every day about the potential impact of microplastics on our health and environment. Without meaningful intervention, it is anticipated that plastic accumulation in aquatic ecosystems, in other environments, and in the tissues of organisms, including humans, will continue to increase.

Read More

PHE Welcomes New Senior Project Manager

/

PHE is pleased to welcome back Mr. Greg Jackson, CEA, CEIA, Senior Project Manager, as the latest addition to the PHE Team! With over 11 years of experience, Greg’s expertise covers a broad spectrum, including leading environmental compliance audits, managing remediation and site investigation projects, and managing NEPA projects for various agencies and Federal grant programs.  Greg has supported a variety of clients over the years including the U.S. Coast Guard, Veterans Affairs Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Department of State, and Department of Energy. Greg is also an active Board Member of the Society of American Military Engineers Baltimore Post, serving on the Young Members Committee and as a Co-Chair of the Maryland Leadership and Mentoring Program. Greg’s robust skills in environmental compliance and NEPA will help PHE continue to actively provide quality service and expand our offerings. We eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions Greg will make in advancing PHE's mission of delivering exceptional value to our clients and providing an outstanding workplace.

 Join us in welcoming Greg back to PHE!

PHE Staff Presenting at Conferences across Pennsylvania

/

PHE is hitting the road in Pennsylvania, and we’re thrilled to share that Dawn Schilling, PE, AICP, Associate Principal at PHE, recently presented at the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) Conference in September. She will also be speaking at the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (APA-PA) Annual Conference this October. Both conferences provide valuable educational and networking opportunities for environmental and planning professionals across the region. Attendees can explore emerging topics, discover innovative projects, exchange insights, connect with colleagues, and engage with industry leaders.

Dawn’s presentation focuses on the recently completed International Joint Commission (IJC) project: “Climate Change Adaptation for Community Resilience Across the Great Lakes Region.” The IJC is a binational organization representing both Canada and the United States, dedicated to managing the lakes and rivers along the border. It actively investigates and addresses transboundary issues, and recognized the pressing need for climate change adaptation among small- to medium-sized communities within the Great Lakes Region.

Many small- and medium-sized communities around the Great Lakes struggle to find the resources and tools necessary to effectively plan for and mitigate the impacts of climate change on their water resources. Recognizing this gap, the IJC identified the need for a resource that offers a simplified resiliency planning framework, along with practical tools and additional resources to aid communities in their adaptation efforts. In response, the PHE team collaborated with the IJC to create a comprehensive guide and toolkit. This resource features a six-step resilience framework, a catalog of existing tools and case studies, as well as new worksheets and guidance designed to support effective implementation of the framework.

The PAEP session in September 2024 provided attendees with an update on the guide and toolkit, which was nearing completion. The upcoming APA-PA session in October will mark the conclusion of the project, offering an overview of the final guide and toolkit along with the latest status update. Dawn will be presenting on Sunday, October 13, at 2:00 PM at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Key Takeaways from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Phase 2 Revision

/
Key Takeaways from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations Phase 2 Revision

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the potential impacts of their actions and to inform the public of the decision-making process. Since the enactment of NEPA in 1970, the law has undergone several amendments to keep pace with changing policies and priorities. The latest amendments, known as the Phase 2 NEPA Implementing Regulations, took effect on July 1, 2024. The Phase 2 rulemaking, and the preceding Phase 1, built upon other recent changes to the NEPA regulations. The background of Phase 2 and some of the key amendments to improve and modernize the NEPA process are described below.

Read More

PHE Staff Presenting at the NAEP 2024 Annual Conference & Training Symposium

/

PHE is on the road to Minnesota! We are pleased to announce that two of our team members, Samir Qadir, PE and Christopher Rua, CHMM, CEA, will be presenting at the 2024 National Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference & Training Symposium this week in Minneapolis, MN. This event is an opportunity for environmental professionals from across the country to gather and learn about new projects, share technical knowledge, network with other industry professionals, and engage with leaders in the environmental field.

Read More

Fifth National Climate Assessment: Key Takeaways and Actions to Take

/
Fifth National Climate Assessment: Key Takeaways and Actions to Take

In November of 2023, the U.S. released the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). Since the First National Climate Assessment in 2000, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has led a team of climate scientists and subject matter experts from a wide variety of backgrounds and institutional sectors to develop this assessment of the best available science. NAC5 is complemented by a new web-based NCA Atlas that allows people to explore climate projections in U.S. states and counties. In addition, a Spanish language version of NCA5 was just released earlier this year.

Read More

PHE Staff Sharing Expertise at Federal Environmental Symposium

/

We are excited to announce that two of our team members, Pedro Da Silva, MSE, PE, and Christopher Rua, CHMM, CE, will be presenting at the upcoming 2023/24 Federal Environmental Symposium, scheduled from March 11 to March 14. This year’s symposium, held virtually, centered around the theme "Environment: A Mission Asset," underscores the significance of collaboration, innovation, and shared learning within the federal partner community.

Read More

February 2024 – Upholding Environmental Justice: Executive Order 14096 and Changes to NEPA

/
February 2024 – Upholding Environmental Justice: Executive Order 14096 and Changes to NEPA

In 2023, President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 14096, “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All." This EO directs federal agencies to prioritize environmental justice (EJ) initiatives within their core missions. The requirements extend to federal agencies’ compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the associated  analyses. This article explains how EO 14096 aims to shape the future of EJ policy in the United States.

Read More