The Environmental Due Diligence Podcast

Beyond ASTM ESAs: Why Asbestos, Lead & Mold Still Matter with Regulation Update

Join us this month as host Alan Agadoni interviews Tom Laubenthal, subject matter expert in environmental consulting with specialties in asbestos and lead-based paint. Tune in to learn about how ASTM transformed the screening process for risks like asbestos, lead-based paint, lead in drinking water, and mold/IAQ, known as beyond the scope of CERCLA. Plus, learn about the process for how EPs can avoid liability and protect the health and safety of their team and building occupants by keeping up to date with these “non-scope considerations.”  To read more about these topics, you can consult the following links:  * An overview of asbestos and lead based paint: https://tglconsulting.info/f/the-links-you-need-for-asbestos-and-lbp-work [https://tglconsulting.info/f/the-links-you-need-for-asbestos-and-lbp-work]   * For mold/water intrusion issues, the following link is recommended: https://iicrc.org [https://iicrc.org/]    * To access various levels of training and certifications with the American Council for Accredited Certification, please visit: https://www.acac.org [https://www.acac.org/]   * 1:05: Background on regulations around common hazards like asbestos and lead and Tom Laubenthal’s career trajectory   * 6:41: The impact of these hazards on Phase I ESAs and how this has evolved over time   * 13:10: Training and certification opportunities for environmental professionals assessing these non-scope considerations  * 18:22: Recent key developments in asbestos regulations   * 23:40: The world of mold and IAQ  * 26:25: Best practices for environmental professionals   * 27:36: Resources for more information on this topic and closing remarks

Anthony Buonicore on Life, BEPIE, and the Pursuit of Happiness

In this month’s episode, LightBox host Alan Agadoni interviews Anthony Buonicore, Chairman of Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc., and the Task Group Chair for ASTM E3224-19, Standard Guide for Building Energy Performance and Improvement Evaluation in the Assessment of Property Condition [https://www.astm.org/e3224-19.html]. Tune in as they discuss how Anthony got his start, the intent and differences between the older BEPA standard and a BEPIE, and the current state of energy efficiency in Commercial Real Estate.  * 0:58 Anthony Buonicore’s background and professional accomplishments   * 5:56 The inspiration behind EDR, running dual businesses, and the major highlights of Anthony’s career  * 11:00 Anthony “The Investor”  * 13:59 The intent and difference between the BEPA standard and a BEPIE  * 18:00 How things have changed since the 2019 BEPIE standard publication and Anthony’s take on the current state of energy efficiency in CRE  * 20:18 Lessons learned on the BEPIE standard, integrating new technology, and when the latest version will become available  * 28:30 “Ask Tony” column   * 34:00 Surprises about the progress of CRE environmental due diligence   * 35:10 The impact of AI on CRE   * 38:27 Parallels to PFAS due diligence in Phase I ESAs  * 40:34 Predictions for 2025   * 41:28 What Anthony does for fun, his new book, and closing remarks

New ASTM Certification for EPs Conducting Phase I ESAs

Published in early November, the new ASTM Certified Environmental Professional Program [https://newsroom.astm.org/ESA-certification] is designed to prepare EPs with the tools they need to succeed in conducting Phase I ESAs. In this month’s episode, LightBox host Alan Agadoni interviews Brittney Gibson and David Von Glahn about the details of the program, including preparation, registration, and the rigor of the course.  * 0:30 Panelist intro and introduction to ESA training and certification programs  * 1:53 Goals and details of new ASTM Certified Environmental Professional Program  * 6:50 Differentiators of Environmental Liability Professional Level 1 Program  * 7:56 Who is this new program appropriate for and what is the registration process?  * 12:52 Examination process, resources, and differentiators   * 21:02 Requirements for re-certification and maintaining the certification  * 24:56 How to get involved as a volunteer  * 26:00 Subject matter expert shoutout and closing

Holly Neber Introduces New Property Resilience Assessment Standard

Right before the ASTM standard for Property Resilience (ASTM E3429) was published, LightBox’s Alan Agadoni interviewed Holly Neber, CEO of AEI Consultants. Tune into this month’s episode to catch up on how the new Property Resilience Assessment standard was established and what the opportunities are for environmental professionals. Plus, Holly shares some tips and tricks for those curious about breaking into the field and bulking up their experience.   Holly mentioned a few great resources in this episode. Check them out below:   * The CRE Weekly Digest: CRE Market: Recalibrating Investor Confidence [https://www.lightboxre.com/insight/episode-19-cre-market-recalibrating-investor-confidence/]  * AMERICA ADAPTS [https://www.americaadapts.org/]  * Climate Risk Podcast Podcast Series [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/climate-risk-podcast/id1525371168__;!!Pveo!F4SJ51tNO9-iBvboIfGkCcpZozv3jYRBGHn4eMnOUH7BRsdjm7CyHlBopKPoHQodDDXTbwly_Ik96hnoCMRYu78$]  * Adapt: Climate Change and the Built Environment: A New Standard For Property Resilience [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-new-standard-for-property-resilience/id1722992677?i=1000674996054__;!!Pveo!F4SJ51tNO9-iBvboIfGkCcpZozv3jYRBGHn4eMnOUH7BRsdjm7CyHlBopKPoHQodDDXTbwly_Ik96hnobwjSiZo$]  00:26 Introduction to property resilience and climate risks   02:52 Holly Neber's career journey in Environmental Due Diligence & the trends of due diligence becoming more climate-informed  10:00 The origin of property resilience assessments  20:56 The implementation of property resilience assessments and the role of technology in climate risk models  25:53 Outside of CRE, who is impacted by this standard?   30:42 How international standards have been taken into consideration  31:49 What can companies that are involved in PSAs and PCAs do right now in this arena?  34:00 What the PRA guide says about using technology in the field and in the office  36:27 Resources for those interested and how to get involved

Experts React to 2024 PFAS Benchmark Survey: The Road to Consensus

In this month's episode, our host Alan Agadoni, SVP Environmental Due Diligence solutions at LightBox, and a panel of experts discuss results from LightBox's 2024 PFAS Due Diligence Benchmark Survey. On our panel is Georgie Nugent, Environmental Division Director at McFarland Johnson, Jon Kitchen, who is a Principal at Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., and Victor DeTroy, National Practice Leader, Due Diligence Services, AEI Consultants. They discuss trends in the data and whether the industry has reached a consensus on how to conduct and interpret the results of PFAS due diligence for commercial real estate transactions.  0:38 Panel & episode intro  4:30 Are you following ASTM-21, and if so, what are you doing differently?  7:15 When is it appropriate to include a dedicated PFAS section in EPs' reports?   11:25 Are consultants seeing pricing accommodations or any pricing changes made for additional time spent including additional sections?    14:20 What is your clients' level of interest in assessing PFAS risk?  20:00 Do you always include PFAS in the scope of your ESAs?  21:40 If you include PFAS in your Phase I ESA, what types do you include in your consideration? Does the type depend on the report?  27:40 ESA risk reporting: how do you label known or suspected PFAS conditions in your reports?  31:10 What would you estimate as the approximate percentage of your Phase IIs to investigate PFAS risk?  34:35 Do you consider an industrial property listed by EPA as a facility that may have handled PFAS, based on industry code only, to be a recognized environmental condition?  38:55 Are PFAS conditions impacting CRE deals that environmental professionals are involved with? In what ways?  42:45 How far are we on the road to consensus on PFAS due diligence?