Statewide Analysis of MTBE Risk and Development of Risk Reduction Recommendations
State of New Hampshire

Co-Principal Investigator, as a subcontractor to Weston Solutions, Inc., of a statewide study to identify significant risk factors associated with MTBE contamination of public water supplies and to recommend policy changes to prevent MTBE contamination in the future. This multi-disciplinary study was unique in its comprehensive scope and focus on preventing, rather than merely responding to, contamination. The Phase I Report and the Phase II Report are posted on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Protection’s web site.

Underground Storage Tank Regulations Evaluation and Recommended Improvements
Chemical Company

Managed a study of underground storage tank regulations and practices in eight Northeast states and California, recommended improvements to the regulations aimed at preventing gasoline releases, and estimated the costs and benefits of implementing the recommendations.

Guidance Documents and Assessment Methodologies (GDAMs)
U.S. Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE)

GDAMs set sustainability goals and methods for tracking performance in a sustainable communities rating system. Provided senior review of GDAMs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from AFCEE-owned GHG sources and AFCEE-purchased electricity; reducing petroleum use by vehicle fleets; reducing GHG emissions from employee travel; and reducing pesticide use.

Green Building Requirements for a Federal Building
U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, Washington

Researched and summarized green building requirements for a proposed new Hanford water treatment plant building, including requirements in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and Executive Order 13423.

Addressing Soil Gas Vapor Intrusion Using Green Building Solutions
Paper for Remediation Journal

Lead author of an article describing the use of green building practices to mitigate vapor intrusion from sites deemed technically impracticable to clean up.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Research and Technology
Evaluation of Water Distribution System Leak Detection and Repair Programs

Masters thesis was an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of conserving water via distribution system leak detection and repair programs. Programs of two different water systems were analyzed – one with high water costs and another with low water costs. Both water conservation programs were determined to be beneficial, despite the many benefits that could not be quantified. The American Water Works Association published the thesis as a book.

Evaluation of Impacts of Burning C&D Wood
Alternative Energy Company

For a biomass plant owner and renewable energy developer, researched the environmental impacts of using construction and demolition (C&D) wood as a biomass fuel for generating electricity. The work included interviewing regulators and reviewing technical papers and reports, stack testing data, and regulatory compliance information. Findings were summarized in a paper and slide presentation aimed at convincing regulators to stop the burning of C&D wood until and unless it is shown to be safe for human health and the environment. Presented oral and written testimony on proposed Massachusetts Senate bill and House bill concerning this issue, and submitted written comments on another House bill.

Evaluation of Impacts of Burning Trees to Produce Electricity
Citizen Pro Bono Effort

For seven years, worked as a citizen to highlight some of the many negative environmental impacts of burning wood to produce electricity. Showed that burning wood emits 1.5 times as much carbon dioxide as coal for each unit of electricity generated. Met with the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and his key staff to discuss this and testified at numerous public hearings and legislative hearings (example 1, example 2). These and other citizen efforts ultimately resulted in Massachusetts changing its Renewable Energy Credit regulations to limit subsidies for biomass power. Co-evaluated forest impacts and showed, using satellite imagery and the State’s own data, that the entire state would be heavily logged in 9 to 16 years if five proposed large biomass plants were to go forward. Evaluated air quality, contaminated wood, and ash waste impacts.