May 2010
| PLEASE NOTE: Some newsletter content is only available to members in good standing of NMSHMM. |
- President's Message: Saccharin No Longer Hazardous Waste; NMSHMM Still Good for You
- Monthly Luncheon Meetings: Do You Have Any Recommended Restaurants?
- Local News Stories
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
- Monthly Meeting Location
- Job Openings (Last Update: February 24, 2010)
- 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: Saccharin No Longer Hazardous Waste; NMSHMM Still Good for You
Debbie Finfrock, PE, CHMM
Finfrock Engineering
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed removing saccharin and its salts from hazardous wastes and hazardous substances lists (See Federal Register, FR 20942, 4/22/10). This may not affect many of us except Kelly Bowles, our esteemed Director-at-Large who works for Sara Lee, but it is good to know that the realm of hazardous materials can shrink occasionally, instead of constantly expanding.
NMSHMM needs you in order to expand and improve! Last newsletter, we requested input on a more central location for our lunch meetings that is free, private, with meals less than $10. Does anyone have a hidden gem?
At our April meeting, we learned about the vast differences in low-level radioactive waste management between the United Kingdom and the US during the April luncheon. Thanks again to our knowledgeable secretary, Vickie Maranville, for this informative presentation.
Please note the different date for the May NMSHMM Lunch Meeting - it will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at 11:30 am. The May Board meeting will be May 11 at 5 pm and the June Board meeting will be on MONDAY, June 7, at 5 pm to accommodate travel plans.
ISOTOPES night - we will join with the Albuquerque Health Physics Society again on Sunday, August 8, at 6:05 pm for another fun night on the upper deck. All-you-can-eat food and your seat cost $25 per person. Reservations are first-come, first-serve for the 20ish slots we have. Please make your reservations early by emailing .
Monthly Luncheon Meetings: Do You Have Any Recommended Restaurants?
NMSHMM is considering switching our luncheon meetings to a centralized, easily accessible location to increase attendance, and we want your ideas. The NMSHMM Board would like to get input from members on a new, centralized location for the lunch meetings. We are trying to select a central location, one that is cost effective, and easily accessible to all members. Suggestions along the I-40 or I-25 corridors in Albuquerque are preferred, but all suggestions welcome. Please provide your feedback to .
The following are news stories reported during the past month:
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U.S. Representatives Joe Barton and Michael Burgess of Texas requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review a proposed plan, which they say would allow contractors to implement safety and security programs without strong federal oversight. The two representatives believe incidents at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory demonstrate the need for safety and security improvements.
(KOB, 3/31/10)
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The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument will be closed for six weeks during June and July to allow paving of the road from Cochiti Pueblo to the monument. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said the five-mile dirt road is being paved to reduce the need for road closures after heavy rain and snow and to minimize dust.
(KOB, 3/31/10)
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U.S. Senator Tom Udall says scientists are certain it's only a matter of time before a giant cavern in southeastern New Mexico will collapse and possibly take with it part of a highway, a trailer park, and a major irrigation canal. Senator Udall indicated that Carlsbad would likely be eligible for federal disaster assistance if the cavern collapses, but he said nobody wants that to happen. He mentioned Carlsbad needs resources now so a disaster can be prevented, which could cost more than $25 million to prevent a collapse.
(KOB, 3/31/10)
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The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and Navajo Refining reached a settlement consisting of a penalty of $346,452 and other measures for hazardous waste violations at the petroleum refinery in Artesia. The violations include failure to store hazardous waste in a structurally sound container and improperly managing waste in other containers, failure to post warning signs on a fence around the North Colony Landfarm, neglecting employee training in proper hazardous waste management, improperly building a tank on the landfarm, failure to install a final cover on the landfarm and other violations.
(NMED Press Release, 4/5/10)
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A Dona Ana County jury has found in favor of Helena Chemical Company in a lawsuit against Mesquite community activist Arturo Uribe. The jury awarded punitive damages of $75,000 and rejected a counterclaim by Uribe, who had alleged malicious abuse of process. Helena Chemical sued Uribe regarding news media statements and for slides he showed containing photos of a Texas City, Texas, industrial accident and a child born with six fingers.
(KOB, 4/8/10)
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Green2V Green Energy Solutions announced that it plans to build its first plant and headquarters in Rio Rancho. The company intends to invest $1 billion and employ more than 200 workers (and eventually 1,500 workers by 2014) at its solar component manufacturing and research complex. The City of Rio Rancho approved $500 million in industrial revenue bonds for the project. Green2V Green Energy Solutions will face a competitive domestic and international market in the solar energy field.
(Albuquerque Journal, 4/8/10, 5/1/10)
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NMED issued a notice of violation (NOV) to Helena Chemical Company for failing to correct deficiencies in its cleanup plan for the fertilizer company’s facility in Mesquite. The company violated the state water quality laws by failing to submit a modified Stage 2 Abatement Plan proposal that include monitoring for certain contaminants -- fluoride, chloride, and total dissolved solids – that are causing groundwater contamination of groundwater above state standards.
(NMED Press Release, 4/8/10)
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NMED Secretary Ron Curry issued the following statement in response to Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner’s statement that Turner will file an injunction in First District Court in Santa Fe against the Executive Branch for proposing greenhouse gas cap and trade regulations: “This injunction is premature, particularly since the Environment Department has not yet filed a petition for hearing concerning greenhouse gas emissions. This is an unfortunate attempt by a gubernatorial candidate to grab a headline rather than offering real solutions for addressing climate change. This is also a waste of taxpayers’ money on state resources to defend such a baseless legal action.”
(NMED Press Release, 4/9/10)
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NMED Secretary Ron Curry issued a final order for renewal and modification of a discharge permit for the closed Grants Mill Reclamation Project Site at the former Homestake Mine in Grants. The company needs the permit to clean up groundwater contamination created from past uranium mining.
(NMED Press Release, 4/9/10)
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New Mexico dairies contend that groundwater protection proposals are so costly up to half of the state's dairies would go out of business or move. Groundwater pollution exists at more than 65 percent of New Mexico's dairies according to NMED.
(KOB, 4/11/10)
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Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Jim Noel praised the New Mexico Mining Commission’s unanimous decision to uphold EMNRD’s Mining and Minerals Division’s rigorous requirements for an exploration uranium mining permit in McKinley County. Previously, the Mining and Minerals Division issued a general permit authorizing Ree-Co to drill up to 56 2-inch diameter, 50-feet deep drill holes, but prohibited Ree-Co from drilling four 7/8-inch diameter, 1,200-feet deep drill holes without first obtaining either a minimum impact exploration permit or a regular exploration permit. Ree-Co objected to this requirement to obtain a more rigorous permit and appealed this decision to the Mining Commission.
(NMEMNRD Press Release, 4/12/10)
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State District Judge William Shoobridge (Lovington) began hearing arguments in April on motions to dismiss a greenhouse caps case. Public Service Company of New Mexico, three state lawmakers, and other industry groups sued in January to stop the state Environmental Improvement Board from considering a petition by New Energy Economy that would cap greenhouse gas emissions. New Energy Economy and the board filed motions to dismiss the case. They believe the board has authority under existing law to implement greenhouse gas emissions limits. Judge Shoobridge later granted a preliminary injunction to block the Environmental Improvement Board from moving forward with a rulemaking to limit greenhouse gases in New Mexico. Judge Shoobridge was concerned about future injury to plaintiffs because they would have to make significant changes and be adversely affected by increased costs. NMED Secretary responded: “I am disappointed that the judge granted this injunction before hearing the full merits of the case or before the board had a chance to hold a hearing and make a decision on the proposal. This is an obvious infringement on executive authority
- we will weigh our options in this case.” (KOB, 4/1/10; Albuquerque Journal, 4/14/10; NMED Press Release, 4/16/10)
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According to an EPA internal review, federal officials tried to hide their concerns about a Sandia National Laboratories’ radioactive and hazardous waste landfill from the public. The report concluded the EPA staff action was intended to stifle inquiries from Citizen Action, an Albuquerque-based group that monitors concerns that Sandia National Laboratories' Mixed Waste Landfill threatens Albuquerque's groundwater. The EPA Inspector General's investigation was conducted in response to a Citizen Action complaint.
(Albuquerque Journal, 4/16/10)
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NMED released results of a 2009 study conducted of Rio Grande water quality near the Santa Fe Buckman Direct Diversion and in Albuquerque during storm flow conditions. The study indicates that LANL derived contaminants are not influencing water quality at the Buckman Direct Diversion or upstream from the Albuquerque surface water treatment facility inlet during regional storm events. The concentrations are well below established state and federal standards for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in drinking water and do not represent a threat to Albuquerque’s municipal drinking water supply. However, the study indicates that storm water events in the Albuquerque area could carry concentrations of PCBs into the Rio Grande that can harm wildlife and humans consuming PCB contaminated fish.
(NMED Press Release, 4/19/10)
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The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) intends to resubmit its biological assessment for a proposed coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Nation. The BIA withdrew the assessment for the controversial Desert Rock Energy Project last year because concerns about mercury and selenium on two endangered fish species in the San Juan River.
(KOB, 4/19/10)
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The Rocky Mountain Low Level Radioactive Waste Board re-elected NMED Secretary Ron Curry as chairman of the board recently at a meeting in New Mexico. The board is an interstate government agency that administers a compact that provides for the disposal of low level radioactive waste produced within the member states of New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.
(NMED Press Release, 4/20/10)
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Governor Bill Richardson announced that $12 million in federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is being used to reduce energy consumption in state-owned buildings. Projects include overhauling heating, cooling and plumbing systems and installing photovoltaic systems.
(NMED Press Release, 4/21/10)
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The State Land Office and Lea County agreed to a land exchange to provide a site in southeastern New Mexico for a depleted uranium processing plant to be operated by International Isotopes Inc. of Idaho. Land Commissioner Pat Lyons said the state will obtain about 3,900 acres from the county in exchange for 640 acres near Hobbs.
(Albuquerque Journal, 4/23/10; KOB, 4/23/10)
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The Department of Energy and its regulators agreed to new cleanup deadlines for buried waste radioactive waste at the Hanford nuclear reservation. Included are deadlines for when some of the waste must be shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad.
(KOB, 4/23/10)
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EPA awarded Luna County with $200,000 to help assess the Tulip Drive landfill in Deming for cleanup. The landfill was used by the Deming Army Airfield and as the city dump from 1941 through 1969. In addition, the EPA has awarded NMED approximately $400,000 to assess contaminated waste sites through the state.
(KOB, 4/23/10)
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Sandia National Laboratories obtained an award from the Office of the Federal Executive for recycling and reusing 400,119 pounds of electronics. It was the second year Sandia won the award.
(KOB, 4/23/10)
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NMED released for public comment a draft hazardous waste facility permit for WIPPP. The draft permit is a renewal of the existing permit, which has been in effect since 1999. The draft permit has few changes from the existing permit. WIPP is permitted to accept contact-handled transuranic mixed waste (TRU) waste containers with a surface dose of less than 200 millirem per hour that may be handled directly. WIPP can also accept remote-handled TRU waste containers with a surface dose of 200 millirem or greater that must be handled either remotely or with sufficient shielding to reduce the effective dose to humans.
(Albuquerque Journal, 4/29/10; NMED Press Release, 4/27/10)
- The BLM and conservation groups settled an eight-year dispute concerning a management plan for nearly 10,000 new gas wells in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico. The groups claimed the BLM violated the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws in developing a 2003 management plan for drilling over 20 years. A federal court ruled in favor of the BLM in 2008, and the groups countered with an appeal. The appeal was dismissed after both sides reached a compromise. As part of the settlement, the BLM will consider impacts to cultural, wildlife and other resources when reviewing new lease sales. The BLM also will conduct emissions inspections at well sites. (KOB, 4/27/10).
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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.) |
| May 2010 |
May 4, 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 11, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
May 13, 11:30 am. 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, 11:30 am. NMSHMM General/Luncheon Meeting, at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. John Tenison, AMEC Earth and Environmental, will speak about foamed asphalt.
| June 2010 |
June 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 .
June 7, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
June 10, 11:30 am, 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, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Golden Corral (10415 Central NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Eric Johnson, Marron and Associates, will speak about Katrina disaster recovery and response - 4.5 years later.
| July 2010 |
July 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 .
July 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 .
July 20, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
July 21, 6:00 pm, NMSHMM Evening Meeting in Santa Fe, at the Tiny’s, 1015 Pen Road, Santa Fe. The speaker for this event will be Mr. Mike Bowen, Executive Director of the New Mexico Mining Association.
| August 2010 |
August 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 .
August 8, NMSHMM Annual Isotopes Night. All-you-can-eat food and your seat cost $25 per person. Reservations are first-come, first-serve for the 20ish slots we have. Please make your reservations early by emailing .
August 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 .
August 17, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
August 18, 11:30 am, NMSHMM Luncheon/General Meeting at Golden Corral (10415 Central NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque.
| September 2010 |
September 12-15, Alliance of Hazardous Materials Managers (AHMP) National Conference in Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit AHMP web site at www.netforumachmm.org.
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)
Last Update: February 24, 2010
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!