March 2009
| PLEASE NOTE: Some newsletter content is only available to members in good standing of NMSHMM. |
- Make Your Reservations for the Annual Dinner
- Date Set for the 2009 NMSHMM Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course
- Local News Stories
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
- Monthly Meeting Location
- Job Openings
- NMSHMM Officers and Committee Chairs
| Our Mission |
| To
provide environmental professionals in the Southwest a
forum for professional development, education, and networking opportunities; and to offer our community environmental, health, and safety expertise |
Make Your Reservations for the Annual Dinner
Brian Pence, CHMM
Assaigai Analytical Laboratories, Inc.
Greetings NMSHMM,
I want to thank Janet Kerley, CHMM, for being the speaker at our February luncheon. Janet has worked extensively as the AHMP (Association of Hazardous Materials Professionals) representative to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), assisting in the development of the new ANSI standard for environment, safety, and health (ES&H) training. After the luncheon, it was clear that implementation of this new standard will have a dramatic effect on training in the ES&H field. Stay tuned for more details.
Make your reservations before it’s too late! The NMSHMM annual banquet is approaching. The dinner will be Friday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. at Seasons Rotisserie and Grill. Please join us for a delicious buffet dinner, keynote speaker, and fun door prizes. Our keynote speaker this year will be Rick Sprott. Rick is currently the president of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) and recently retired as the head of the state of Utah’s Environment Department. Rick has also been involved in the Western Governor’s Association (WGA) and the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). The cost for dinner is $35.00/person (a $47 value). Space is limited to 50, so be sure to make your reservations now (RSVP to ).
If you are a current member of NMSHMM, you should have recently received an e-ballot for the election of the incoming NMSHMM board. Voting has been brisk, but time is running out. If yove not sent back a reply with your vote, please do so by March 13, 2009. The ballots will be tallied and results presented at the annual dinner.
The end of this month marks the end of my tenure as president of NMSHMM. It has been a great honor for me to lead this organization for the past year. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve NMSHMM and the New Mexico ES&H community. I want to thank my fellow board members for their service. Their dedication and tireless efforts made this past year a success for NMSHMM. I know the coming year will bring more challenges and opportunities for growth. I look forward to continuing to work with the incoming board as past president.
Thank you. Be safe!!
Brian
Date Set for the 2009 NMSHMM Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course
Paul Karas, CPG CHMM
NMSHMM Education Chair
The NMSHMM Board is pleased to announce the dates and location for the 2009 Essential of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course. The EHMM will be held November 16-18, 2009, at the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) District 1 Office, located at 5500 San Antonio Drive NE in Albuquerque. NMSHMM wishes to express our gratitude to NMED, and to Sandra Martin in particular, for graciously offering to host the course for a second year at this excellent training facility.
This 3-day course offers a comprehensive review of the physical and chemical properties of hazardous materials, environmental laws and regulations, and safety and health principles important to every environmental and safety professional. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) / Certified Hazardous Materials Professional (CHMP) Exam or to satisfy training or re-certification requirements, enhance competence in the profession, or to stay current with new rules and regulations. The course is also an opportunity to obtain CHMM / CHMP recertification points.
Watch for information about course registration and logistics in future newsletters and on the NMSHMM website. Please contact Paul Karas, NMSHMM Education/Professional Development Committee Chair at (505) 243-3200 or at if you are interested in learning about the EHMM, to volunteer for the EHMM organizing committee, or to be considered as an instructor.
Local News Stories
Compiled by Eric Johnson, AICP, CHMM
The following are news stories reported during the past month:
- A water main break at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
last summer resulted in a release of 4 million gallons of
potable water from an old plutonium facility. The release did
not reach the Rio Grande, and the New Mexico Environment
Department (NMED) determined that the release was not a public
health threat. (Albuquerque Journal, 1-31-09)
- There is a growing demand for “green collar” workers on wind
farms and solar energy projects. Mesalands Community College, in
Tucumcari, created a wind energy training program in response to
the need for wind farm workers. Schott Solar in Albuquerque is
hiring individuals with high-tech manufacturing skills. Another
Albuquerque solar firm, 310 Solar, is hiring individuals with
traditional construction skills to install solar systems at
homes and businesses. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-1-09)
- Governor Bill Richardson and NMED Secretary Ron Curry are glad
that the Asarco smelter in El Paso will not reopen. The smelter,
constructed in the 1880’s, was closed in 1999. New Mexico
officials had asked the Environmental Protection Agency to
review proposals to reopen the smelter because of air quality
concerns. Asarco LLC, a Tucson-based copper company, said it
would not reopen the smelter because of the economic downturn,
but the company denied that the smelter caused pollution or
would create more pollution if it reopened.
(Albuquerque
Journal, 2-5-09)
- Tri-State Generation will use its Escalante Station, a
coal-fired power plant near Prewitt, as a case study for
developing options to infuse solar energy in electricity
production. The study will be conducted in cooperation with the
Electric Power Research Institute. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-7-09)
- Surface water appears to be infiltrating into Albuquerque’s
aquifer at the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility
Authority’s ground water recharge project along Bear Canyon
Arroyo, in Arroyo del Oso Park, Albuquerque. By pumping water
(obtained from the Rio Grande) at a rate of 2,400 gallons per
minute, water flows down the arroyo and soaks into the sandy
arroyo bed, eventually infiltrating 500 feet down to the
aquifer. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-10-09)
- Responding to use discarded glass that is difficult to recycle,
Growstone LLC will purchase discarded glass from the City of
Albuquerque and transform glass into rocks for a soil amendment.
The pumice-type rocks retain moisture. Growstone will purchase
the glass from the city for $20 per ton.
(Albuquerque Journal,
2-11-09)
- Tecton Energy decided not to pursue plans for drilling in the
Galisteo Basin south of Santa Fe. Economic turmoil and changing
regulations were responsible for the decision.
(Albuquerque
Journal, 2-11-09)
- President Obama is proposing to cut-back nuclear weapons design
and manufacturing programs such as the following programs:
cancel expansion of LANL’s capability to make nuclear warhead
parts, cancel an upgrade to the LANL Neutron Science Center,
reduce funding for research and development activities at Sandia
National Laboratories and other nuclear weapons labs, and delay
new superconductor purchases. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-14-09)
- According to four decades of Audubon Society Christmas Bird
Count data, bird populations are shifting northward in response
to global warming. For example, the pygmy nuthatch’s range
shifted nearly 300 miles to the north with New Mexico
experiencing a 90% decline in nuthatch populations.
(Albuquerque
Journal, 2-15-09)
- Don Baker, a Santa Fe mechanic, is building an electric car,
“Zappy”, that will be able to travel up to 50 miles on a single
charge of the car’s 12, 8-volt golf cart batteries. The electric
car is a conversion of a 1997 Suzuki Swift. More information is
available on Don Baker’s web site:
www.envirokarma.org.
(Santa
Fe New Mexican, 2-16-09)
- Espanola’s sewage treatment released sewage into the Rio Grande
in January. The release included 350 times the amount of fecal
coliform bacteria allowed under federal standards. John Stomp of
the Albuquerque Bernalillo Count Water Utility Authority said
distance (90 miles from Espanola) and a good water treatment
system are more than enough to project Albuquerque water users.
(Albuquerque Journal, 2-19-09)
- As of the U.S. Government’s recently-signed $787 economic
stimulus package, manufacturing plants for renewable-energy
components will receive a 30% tax credit under an amendment
added by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. The tax credit is a $2.3
billion allocation through the U.S Treasury Secretary, who will
decide which projects qualify for the tax credit.
(Santa Fe New
Mexican, 2-18-09)
- The NMED Air Quality Bureau is recommending that portions of
northwestern New Mexico in San Juan and Rio Arriba Counties and
portions of south-central New Mexico near Sunland Park, be
designated as in non-attainment for ozone under the Clean Air
Act. Ground-level ozone is caused by certain vehicle and
industrial air emissions in the presence of sunlight. Ozone can
irritate the respiratory system, reduce lung capacity, and lead
to asthma. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-20-09)
- An envelope that was suspiciously heavy and addressed to former
President Bush was received at the Bataan Building in Santa Fe.
The envelope was found to not contain any harmful contents. The
envelope, which was sent by a woman who believes she is in the
middle of a conspiracy, was forwarded on to the U.S. Secret
Service. (Albuquerque Journal, 2-21-09)
- Police arrested two individuals at the scene of a February 20th
explosion in front of the Smith’s Food and Drug Center at Paseo
del Norte and Wyoming, Albuquerque. A bottle of chemicals
exploded near the front of the store, which resulted in some
store damage and minor injuries to several individuals.
(Albuquerque Journal, 2-21-09)
- A new e-waste company, Albuquerque Recycling Inc., guarantees “end-of-life” treatment for everything collected. Thus, they promise not to send whole computers overseas or drive secretly to landfills. The company will collect e-waste such as old computers, cell phones, and televisions. The City of Santa Fe is sending the company e-waste collected a one-day e-waste event. (Santa Fe New Mexican, 2-26-09)
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Society luncheon meetings are held at
Golden Corral Buffet on Central and Eubank (10415 Central Avenue NE) at 11:30 on the third Wednesday of the month (except Mar. and Dec.) |
| March 2009 |
March 3, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. For more information, e-mail .
March 11, New Mexico Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) technical meeting, Furr’s Fresh Buffet, 2004 Wyoming Blvd. NE. For more information, e-mail .
March 17, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Board Meeting at the Viet Taste Restaurant, 5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
March 20,
6:30 pm, NMSHMM Annual Dinner at Seasons Rotisserie and Grill, 2031 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque. NMSHMM members and their guests will be served a $47 value meal for only $35 each. Speaker will be Rick Sprott, current president of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) and recently retired as the head of the state of Utah’s Environment Department. Space is limited to 50, so please make your reservations early (RSVP to ). All reservations or cancellations must be made by March 12, 2009 by emailing . Members with reservations may pay at the door, but will be responsible for payment even if they cannot attend.March 25-27, AHMP Leadership Workshop, St. Louis. For more information see AHMP web site at www.achmm.org.
| April 2009 |
April 7, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. For more information, e-mail .
April 9, New Mexico Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) technical meeting, Furr’s Fresh Buffet, 2004 Wyoming Blvd. NE. For more information, e-mail .
April 14, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at GRAM offices, 8500 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
April 15, Noon-3:00 pm, Assaigai Analytical Laboratories Field Trip, 4301 Masthead NE. Tour will be followed by lunch. Optional box lunches will be available for price of $11. NOTE: Attendees who do not cancel 24 hours in advance must pay for their box lunch, if a lunch was ordered. Please send reservations to by April 13.
| May 2009 |
May 5, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. For more information, e-mail .
May 14, New Mexico Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) technical meeting, Furr’s Fresh Buffet, 2004 Wyoming Blvd. NE. For more information, e-mail .
May 19, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at GRAM offices, 8500 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
May 21, 6:00 pm, NMSHMM Dinner/General Meeting in Santa Fe, Tiny’s Restaurant, 1015 Pen Road in Santa Fe. Speaker will be Pete Maggiore, of Northwind Inc, on Los Alamos National Laboratory Environmental Restoration Projects. NOTE: Dinner orders must be place 24 hours in advance to obtain separate tickets. Please send reservations to by May 19.
| June 2009 |
June 2, 11:30 am, New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) monthly meeting at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. For more information, e-mail .
June 11, New Mexico Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) technical meeting, Furr’s Fresh Buffet, 2004 Wyoming Blvd. NE. For more information, e-mail .
June 16, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at GRAM offices, 8500 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
June 17, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Golden Corral (10415 Central NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Speaker to be announced.
| August 2009 |
August 30 - September 2, AHMP National Conference, San Diego. For more information see AHMP web site at www.achmm.org
| November 2009 |
November 16-18, Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course presented by NMSHMM at the NMED Albuquerque office, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE. For more information, please click here.
Did we miss something? To get your event added to the calendar please contact Eric Johnson at .
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Society business meetings are held at CDM's offices, 6000 Uptown NE, Suite 200, at 6:00 on the third Tuesday of the month (except Mar. and Dec.) |
Our regular monthly meetings are held at Golden Corral Buffet on Central and Eubank (10415 Central Avenue NE - click here for a map). Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month (unless replaced by a special event as announced via this newsletter) from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. If you have any ideas for speakers or field trips, please contact a NMSHMM board member.
For the latest job openings, please click here. (MEMBERS ONLY)
NMSHMM OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
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Officers: President Past-President President-Elect Treasurer Secretary At-Large Director At-Large Director |
Committee Chairs: Communication Education/Professional
Development Finance Legislative Affairs |
Please send contributions for future newsletters to Eric Johnson at . Thanks!