Brownfield Braintrust Podcast

In this Brownfield Braintrust Podcast episode, our very own Matt Winefield, along with Steve Figgins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-figgins-79863ba/] of EKI Environment & Water, Inc. [https://www.ekiconsult.com/] and Mark Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjohnsonesq/] of Offit Kurman [https://www.offitkurman.com/], discuss transforming oil production fields and how their remediation may differ from other industrial sites. For oil production think of wells, open fields, collection tanks, production pumps, and oil collection ponds. This topic is of particular interest as the State of California has not been shy about its intent to shut down oil production across the state. What may become a loss for oil production could be a gain for remediation companies, home builders, and commercial developers.

In this Brownfield Braintrust Podcast episode, we discuss environmental vapor sampling with two exceptional experts in the field, Will Rice of Enthalpy Analytical [https://enthalpy.com/] and Kevin Kelly of Langan Engineering [https://www.langan.com/]. Those of you who are actively involved in brownfields assessment, remediation, and redevelopment have had to come to terms with new vapor intrusion agency guidelines and regulations that have tightened environmental screening. The reduced screening levels have prompted us to analyze more soil and soil vapor samples, so there is a greater need than ever to be efficient in the field and in the laboratory. To that end, we are going to examine one patented solution, VaporDeck™, a tool for soil vapor sampling everywhere. The VaporDeck™ provides a better solution to allow sample crews to simultaneously pull 2 or more samples from different depths, collect actual duplicates, and move from location to location faster, all while maintaining sample integrity and field documentation. Our two esteemed guests: * Will Rice [https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-rice-env/] is Enthalpy Analytical’ s Technical Sales and Business Development representative and is based in the Bay Area. He has a background in Earth Sciences and Analytical Chemistry, working in both the lab and the field for over 20 years.  Specifically, he has been focusing on Vapor Intrusion for 10 years, due to the rigorous regional standards in Northern California and the Bay Area.   * Kevin Kelly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kelly-p-g-3aa21aa/] is a professional geologist with over 20 years’ experience at Langan Engineering, working on complex projects across the country. He has evaluated the vapor intrusion pathway at dozens of commercial, residential and industrial sites.   Visit Winefield & Associates, Inc. at: ⁠https://www.winefieldinc.com/⁠ [https://www.winefieldinc.com/] Find Matt Winefield on LinkedIn at: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/]

This podcast episode is a companion discussion for the W&A February 26, 2024, Vapor Intrusion blog, which you can access here: https://www.winefieldinc.com/vi-blog/calepa-swrcb-site-closure-rates-continue-to-decline-likely-due-to-vapor-intrusion-guidance [https://www.winefieldinc.com/vi-blog/calepa-swrcb-site-closure-rates-continue-to-decline-likely-due-to-vapor-intrusion-guidance] Matt Winefield discusses the Winefield & Associates GeoTracker data review of No Further Action (NFA) letter issuance rates before and after the CalEPA Vapor Intrusion Guidance (VIG) was promulgated. The data is not pretty. There no longer appears to be a path to closure for remediation projects of sites impacted with volatile organic compounds. Absent the ability to eventually achieve an NFA, brownfield investments throughout California are precarious. Visit Winefield & Associates, Inc. at: https://www.winefieldinc.com/ [https://www.winefieldinc.com/] Find Matt Winefield on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/]

In our current Brownfield Braintrust Podcast, Matt Winefield of Winefield & Associates, Inc. sheds light on Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Systems (VIMS) with the help of Justin Conaway, Vice President and General Manager of Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering. Given evolving soil vapor mitigation standards, VIMS are currently much more prevalent than just three years ago. It is unlikely one can acquire, for example, a former dry cleaner site (with PCE releases), run a vapor extraction system, and then pour your foundation. The lead agency will likely specify a VIMS that operates for the life of the new building. Justin explains the three most common VIMS technologies now utilized. Visit Terra-Petra at: https://terra-petra.com/ [https://terra-petra.com/] Find Justin Conaway on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinconaway/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinconaway/] Visit Winefield & Associates, Inc. at: https://www.winefieldinc.com/ [https://www.winefieldinc.com/] Find Matt Winefield on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/]

And now for a brownfields topic that, at first, seems esoteric but will actually impact just about every facet of site cleanups in California. We get into the weeds about proposed changes to Water Code Resolution 92-49. This resolution conveys policies and procedures to the State Water Board and Regional Board officials relating to the investigation and cleanup of discharges into groundwater, surface water and even soil. The topic was much too detailed and cerebral for Matt to tackle alone, so he invited two special guests: Environmental attorney Jay Tufano, Partner at Ring, Bender, LLP and environmental engineer Jeremy Squire, Vice President at Murex Environmental, Inc.   Ring Bender LLP can be found at: https://ringbenderlaw.com/ [https://ringbenderlaw.com/] Jay Tufano is on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytufano/   [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytufano/ ] Murex Environmental is at: https://murexenv.com/ [https://murexenv.com/] Jeremy Squire is on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-squire-pe-5659001/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-squire-pe-5659001/ ]  Visit Winefield & Associates, Inc. at: https://www.winefieldinc.com/ [https://www.winefieldinc.com/ ] Find Matt Winefield on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwinefield/]