July 2010
| PLEASE NOTE: Some newsletter content is only available to members in good standing of NMSHMM. |
- President's Message: Oil Spill Disaster Recovery
- NMSHMM Annual Isotopes Night
- Plan NOW to Attend the 2010 Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course
- NMSHMM Member Profile: Kelly L. Bowles
- 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: Oil Spill Disaster Recovery
Debbie Finfrock, PE, CHMM
Finfrock Engineering
As I rode the ferry across Prince William Sound a couple of weeks ago, I wondered about the long-term effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill there and the coming effects of the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I did see a couple of sea otters, a group of murres (seabirds), and some Dall’s porpoises in the Sound, but this is more than 20 years after a spill of 10.8 million gallons (MG) versus the 43.7 – 127.9 MG (government minimum and maximum estimates through July 5) in the Gulf. Friends ask me – will it ever be cleaned up? I have to say probably not, because long after the slicks have disappeared from sight and the brouhaha has died down, there will still be oil at depth and dispersed in the ocean. It may take a very long time for those oil-eating microbes to clean that up. The sea turtles, brown pelicans, plankton, shrimp, bluefin tuna, dolphins, and sperm whales struggling in the Gulf may not all make it through. Twenty years after the Valdez spill, the National Wildlife Foundation estimates that pigeon guillemots and Pacific herring are still not recovering (so there is no herring industry in Alaska now), and that the following have recovered, but not completely (Source: www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/Effects-on-Wildlife/Compare-Exxon-Valdez-and-BP-Oil-Spills.aspx):
- Birds – Barrow’s goldeneyes, black oystercatchers, and harlequin ducks
- Mammals – killer whales and sea otters
- Shellfish – clams and mussels
- Media – sediments and intertidal communities
- Human – commercial fishing, recreation, tourism, and subsistence.
Please join us for David Strasser and Eric Johnson’s discussion of the Katrina disaster 4.5 years later on August 18 at 11:30 am. We may have a new lunch meeting location by then, so watch the next newsletter for an update.
We hope to see you this month at the Santa Fe dinner meeting on July 21 at Tiny’s at 6:00 pm. Make your reservation by emailing , and Brian will send you a menu so you can pre-order dinner. We do this to facilitate separate checks and allow enough time for the speech and networking before folks have to leave by Rail Runner or car.
NMSHMM Annual Isotopes Night
Be Sure to Reserve Your Seats
The NMSHMM Annual Isotopes Nights is scheduled for August 8 at 6:05 pm. Stadium seats and all-you-can-eat food will be provided at a cost of $25 per person.Reservations are first-come, first-serve for the 20ish slots we have. Please make your reservations early by emailing .
Plan NOW to Attend the 2010 Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management Course
Paul Karas, CPG, CHMM
The 2010 Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course will be held Monday through Wednesday, November 15 - 17, 2010, at the NMED District 1 office, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM. 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.
NMSHMM Member Profile:
Kelly L. Bowles
Company Name and Location: Sara Lee Bakery, Albuquerque
Title: Compliance Manager (OSHA Compliance, Environmental Compliance [mostly air permit, Title V issues], Food Safety Compliance)
Hometown: Albuquerque for 14 years—that makes it home.
Family: Husband of 9 years, Kurt Coonrod, electrical engineer geek; 2 great dogs, 1 bossy cat, huge extended family of friends, in-laws, sisters, nieces. Dinner for 12 at our house is a weekly event.
Words that best describe me: busy, bossy
Favorite current project: Home: major house remodel. Work: sustainability project. Sara Lee has very aggressive goals for bakeries for waste and energy reduction.
Biggest challenge on job: Title V air permit issues—who knew that baking bread could be such a headache.
If I won the lottery: I never buy a lottery ticket. I’m afraid to win lots of money and mess up a perfectly good life.
An accomplishment that makes me feel great is: Finally getting a really satisfying job, in a very tough job market, after working for 22 years. Personally, completing 50 marathons before my 50th birthday, while have no athletic talent or ability, just stubbornness!
Local News Stories
Compiled by David Strasser, CHMM, and Eric Johnson, CHMM, AICP
The following are news stories reported during the past month:
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Dignitaries attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a $3 billion Louisiana Energy Services uranium enrichment plant in Eunice. This is the first major nuclear facility to be licensed in the United States in the past 20 years, and it is expected to employ 308 individuals on a full-time basis.
(KOB, 6/2/10)
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The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) petitioned the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board to schedule a hearing regarding proposed cap and trade greenhouse gas regulations, which will enable New Mexico to participate in a regional greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. In addition, the proposed regulations includes language that “sunsets” the state regulation if the federal government implements an equivalent national cap-and-trade program.
(NMED Press Release, 6/4/10)
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Santa Fe’s Buckman Direct Diversion Project Santa Fe will use solar energy for its treatment plant. American Capital Energy Inc. will build and operate a one-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant consisting of approximately eight acres of solar panels located on Bureau of Land Management land next to the treatment plant.
(KOB, 6/6/10)
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In Luna County near Deming, San Diego-based Sapphire Energy is developing plans for a plant that will produce fuel from algae. The plant would 30 full-time jobs.
(KOB, 6/6/10)
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At a location near Carlsbad, the world's first vertically integrated algal biorefinery opened in June. The refinery will use saltwater micro-algae grown in ponds with high oil content. In this process, the oil is eventually extracted and used for bio-diesel production, and the remaining algae material is used as a livestock feed.
(KOB, 6/7/10)
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Scientists have devised a method to detect and track carbon dioxide deep underground, which can be applied to tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory used colorless, nontoxic liquids called perflourocarbon tracers to fingerprint carbon dioxide that was injected into a coal seam in northwestern New Mexico. The scientists followed the carbon dioxide's movement by tracking the tracers.
(KOB, 6/14/10)
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Two solar technology facilities plan to locate in Albuquerque and create at least 30 new jobs. CFV Solar Test Laboratory and the Fraunhofer R&D Facility will begin operations at the Mesa del Sol development south of Albuquerque later this year.
(KOB, 6/17/10)
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According to Headwater Economics of Bozeman, Montana, “green job” sector job growth increased by 62% from 1995 to 2007 in New Mexico versus 13% growth in overall employment. Nationally during the same period, total employment increased by 19%, but green jobs increased by 30%. Of the 4,810 New Mexico green sector jobs in 2007, 66% were associated with conservation and pollution mitigation, and 15% were associated with energy efficiency.
(Albuquerque Journal, 6/17/10)
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NMED Secretary Ron Curry addressed the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources in Dallas. Secretary Curry focused on the need for changes in federal and state laws that exempt the oil and gas industry from environmental regulations that other industries must follow. Other regulators from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, also addressed attendees at the conference concerning environmental issues and updates. Secretary Curry’s remarks focused on how oil and gas companies have benefited by certain state and federal exemptions to environmental laws and regulations.
(NMED Press Release, 6/18/10)
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Kirtland Air Force Base officials delivered two clean up plans to the NMED. The plans contain proposals to clean up a spill that has left a foot of jet fuel on an underground reservoir in Albuquerque. The spill, detected in 1999, originated from a 1950s-era fuel loading depot. (KOB, 6/19/10)
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ICx Technologies, of Albuquerque, has developed a device to produce water from air, even dry desert air. The mobile Arroyo 500 can produce up to 500 gallons of water per day from air in any environment. The military would like to use such a device in Afghanistan, where obtaining water is difficult and expensive.
(Albuquerque Journal, 6/19/10)
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For the second time in two months, a 1.7 million-gallon fuel storage tank under construction at Kirtland Air Force Base's Bulk Fuels Storage Area collapsed during construction. The cause was believed to be high winds, but no one observed the collapse.
(Albuquerque Journal, 6/24/10)
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A Smith’s supermarket at Coors and Central NW was closed down for three days by the City of Albuquerque because of a severe mouse infestation. At least 15 mice were trapped. Smith’s spokeswoman Marsha Gilford said, “Our team took aggressive action to get the problem under control and will monitor the store very closely going forward.” A Dollar Tree store at 3301 Coors NW was also closed for by the City of Albuquerque because of a mouse infestation.
(Albuquerque Journal, 6/26/10)
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Construction started on a wind farm south of Clovis. Vert-I-Go Wind LLC is developing the wind farm, which is expected to eventually employ 60 workers.
(6/26/10)
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A black bear dragged a 20-year old woman from her tent at the Dry Camp picnic area off of NM 536 near the Sandia Crest. After striking the bear in the face, the woman and her two companions were able to escape to the roof of their car and call 911. A 219-pound black bear was later captured and killed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The three individuals were camping in a designated no-camping area and had food in their tent. Seven bears have been killed for various reasons this year in the Sandia and Manzano mountains versus just one bear killed in a vehicle collision last year.
(Albuquerque Journal, 6/29/10)
- NMED has requested federal assistance to deal with off-road vehicle trails on the Santa Fe National Forest. The vehicles are impacting fragile soils and riparian ecosystems. NMED is seeking EPA funds for a study of water quality impacts caused by off-road vehicles in the Jemez Mountains. A Santa Fe National Forest spokeswoman agreed that unmanaged off-road vehicles are a nationwide problem and that the forest is working on a travel management plan. (NMED Press Release, 6/30/10)
|
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.) |
| 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, 5:30 pm (please note later time), NMSHMM Board Meeting at Kelly Bowles’ house. All members are welcome. Email Kelly at for directions if you plan to attend.
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. Please make reservations by emailing . Dinners will be pre-ordered to facilitate separate checks. Reservations and cancellations will be accepted until COB July 19.
| 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. David Strasser, NMED, and Eric Johnson, Marron and Associates, will speak about Katrina disaster recovery and response - 4.5 years later. This will also be an opportunity for meeting attendees to discuss the BP oil spill, which has affected some of the same areas.
| September 2010 |
September 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 .
September 7, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
September 8, 11:30 am. NMSHMM General/Luncheon Meeting, at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Jim Studer will present “State of the Union: Chemical Oxidation and Enhanced Bioremediation.” This presentation will focus on the current state of the practice in environmental remediation involving coupled chemical oxidation and enhanced bioremediation (oxidative and reductive pathways).
September 9, 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 .
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.
| October 2010 |
October 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 .
October 14, 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 .
October 19, 5:00 pm, NMSHMM Board Meeting at AMEC Earth and Environmental, 8519 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque. All members are welcome.
October 20, 11:30 am. NMSHMM General/Luncheon Meeting, at the Golden Corral (10415 Central Avenue NE, northeast of Eubank) in Albuquerque. Speaker or field trip TBD.
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!