September 2009
| PLEASE NOTE: Some newsletter content is only available to members in good standing of NMSHMM. |
- President's Message - AHMP National Conference in San Diego
- Time is Running Out on Discounted Registration for the 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 |
President's Message - AHMP National Conference in San Diego
Mike Sanders, CPG, CHMM
GRAM, Inc.
August was a busy month for NMSHMM members! Read on.
Isotopes Park Event, August 9, 2009
The joint NMSHMM/Albuquerque Health Physics Society gathering at the
Isotopes Park on Sunday, August 9 was a big hit again. A total of 48
folks associated with both organizations attended the event (see
photo below). The food was good, the drinks were better, the weather
was about perfect, and the camaraderie and networking was
outstanding. The ‘Topes played Tacoma but unfortunately they lost.
This was once again a very well-received event enjoyed by all, and
we are planning to do a repeat next year, probably in August again.
AHMP National Conference, August
30-September 2, 2009
NMSHMM was well represented at the Alliance of Hazardous Materials
Professionals (AHMP, formerly ACHMM)) National Conference in San
Diego. The overriding theme was sustainability, on many people’s
minds these days.
Attendees from our chapter included myself, Chris Cutler (USAF), Pat Dentler (CDM), Paul Karas (CDM), Eric Johnson (Marron and Associates), Sandra Martin (NMED), Don Meyer (NMED), Richie Spangler (SNL), and Katherine Werner (GE) (hopefully I haven’t missed anyone). As the current President, my airfare and hotel accommodations to attend this conference were covered by NMSHMM, a really nice perk for prospective future NMSHMM Presidents to consider!
Keynote speakers included:
Joe A. Garcia, a former Governor of
the Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan) pueblo in northern New Mexico, and a
retired engineer from LANL. He has been President of the National
Congress of American Indians since 2005. Joe talked about the
pressures and challenges faced by a small native American village
like Okeh Owingeh from the outside world, and the common ground that
all of us who live on this planet have.
Michael D. Brown, the former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who led the federal government’s initial response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, gave a very interesting and lively speech. Brown talked about his experience in various emergency and disaster preparedness positions for the first part of his talk. For the second half of the presentation he opened it up to questions, most of which were about the Katrina response. It was very interesting to hear his perspectives as an insider during that disaster. It would have been a tough position to be in, for anyone.
Lauren Selman, an energetic proponent and organizer for green practices in the movie production industry was the keynote for the Monday lunch session and was introduced by the rising AHMP Star Richie.
I attended a chapter development session with other AHMP chapter board members (we talked about the problem of getting chapter members involved in chapter activities, a common problem), and also moderated several conference sessions. A number of very good field trips were offered to participants. I went on a behind the look scenes at general environmental challenges at Sea World (see photo below), and a tour of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Very good tours, I could go on and on, but won’t.
On a final AHMP conference note, board member Sandra Martin received a Champion of Excellence award at the Awards Presentation, followed by a very nice outside reception on hotel grounds (see photo below of the group at this event). Congratulations Sandra on your award, and major ongoing contributions to our local Chapter, EHMM course support, and promoting the CHMM credential.
October Field Trip
A fall field trip is planned at the AMEC offices in Albuquerque
around the noon hour on Wednesday, thanks to board member Vicki
Maranville. Details and time TBA. Stay tuned. This field trip will
be held in lieu of the normal lunch meeting in October.
Time is Running Out on Discounted Registration for the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course
Paul Karas, CPG, CHMM
The 2009 Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course will be held November 16 - 18, 2009, at the NMED District 1 office, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM. A special $645 Early Bird Rate applies through October 4, 2009. After this date, the course registration fee will increase to $695 (still a great deal for 3 days of intensive environmental training).
The 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) or Certified Hazardous Materials Professional (CHMP) Exam or to satisfy training or re-certification requirements, enhance competence in the profession, and to stay current with new rules and regulations.
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 if you are interested in learning more 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:
- Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) wants to reduce its solar program by reducing the credit amount and limit the maximum size of a solar system to 250 kilowatts. Emcore Corporation is currently the only participant in the program with their 82-kilowatt system. As part of another initiative, PNM is planning to introduce a system that would allow customers to install PNM-owned solar arrays at their homes and businesses. Under this system, PNM would make lease payments for use of customer’s rooftops and land for the solar systems.
(Albuquerque Journal, 8-2-09 and 8-8-09)
- PNM plans to use biogas produced from dairy farm waste in southern New Mexico. PNM would purchase methane gas from R-Qubed Energy Inc. of El Paso and use the gas in the Luna generating plant near Deming.
(Albuquerque Journal, 8-2-09)
- A tank being transported by Helena Chemical Company on a dirt road near Berino ruptured and released approximately 350 gallons of a urea and ammonium nitrate mixture. Approximately 23 cubic yards of soil was removed at the spill site, and samples were sent to the New Mexico Environment Department.
(Albuquerque Journal, 8-20-09)
- The 10th U.S. Circuit Court will review a Environmental Protection Agency ruling that a proposed Hydro Resources uranium mine site, which is surrounded by the Navajo Nation, is considered “Indian country.” The decision will affect Hydro Resources ability to operate a mine at the site.
(Albuquerque Journal, 8-26-09)
- According to research by University of New Mexico climatologists, recovering from drought in future years will become more difficult as temperatures rise. Higher temperatures will increase evaporation and transpiration. Plants roots that tap into deeper water will cause increased losses of groundwater to transpiration. (Albuquerque Journal, 8-30-09)
|
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.) |
| September 2009 |
September 1, 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 .
September 10, 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 .
September 16, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Golden Corral (10415 Central NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Danita Boettner will present “4th and Carey Groundwater Remediation and Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment Facility Project in Hutchinson, Kansas.”
September 30-October 2, Southern New Mexico Safety Roundup in Las Cruces presented by the ZIA section of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Speaker proposals currently being accepted at http://asse-ziasection.org/Conference.aspx.
| October 2009 |
October 6, 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 .
October 8, 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 .
October 20, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
October 21, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Field Trip to AMEC Materials Testing Laboratory, 8519 Jefferson NE. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to .
| November 2009 |
November 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 .
November 12, 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 .
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.
November 17, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
November 18, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Golden Corral (10415 Central NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque.
| December 2009 |
December 1, 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 .
December 10, 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 .
December 15, 5:30 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
NMSHMM Annual Christmas Social, watch future newsletters for more information.
Did we miss something? To get your event added to the calendar please contact Eric Johnson at .
|
Society business meetings are
held at
AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, at 5:00 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
|
Officers:
President
Past-President
President-Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
At-Large Director At-Large Director |
Committee Chairs: Communication Education/Professional
Development
Membership |
Please send contributions for future newsletters to Eric Johnson at . Thanks!