Natalie Pochomis

A webinar on the PFAS (aka 'forever chemicals')! Did you know that about 50% of our tap water in the U.S. has PFAS? In case you are curious about potential PFAS exposure in your area, you might find these two dashboards useful: USGS - PFAS in US Tapwater Interactive Dashboard: https://lnkd.in/gVZrX9dX USA Today - Where PFAS exceed new EPA limits: https://lnkd.in/gbG-dZMK Also, check this USGS study out - "Tap water study detects PFAS 'forever chemicals' across the US": https://lnkd.in/g_GjUug5 According to the US EPA, these are what we know so far about PFAS (https://lnkd.in/gkzGVn-d): ● PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. ● Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. ● PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. ● Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. ● There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.

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Do disclosure users want raw, unprocessed "paleo" climate data from banks? Or ultra-processed, model-adjusted, expert-overlayed information? Tony Hughes, Ph.D. makes his opinions clear in today's Unpacking Climate Risk. As for me? I doubt the ability of most investors to make head or tail of complex "raw" data like absolute emissions, ratio of "green" to "dirty" lending, et cetra. However, the well-documented travails of the financed emissions movement makes me believe that the "ultra-processed" versions aren't much better, either! That's why I like disclosure of lending to "carbon-intensive entities" and to entities subject to physical risk .... which is actually what the European Banking Authority (EBA) has mandated most effectively!

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"The policy includes language stating that non-mechanical processes that convert plastics at the end of life into chemical fuels or fuel feedstocks do not meet NRC’s definition of recycling. State recycling organizations and NRC members can submit feedback on the policy. “NRC does not support the label of ‘advanced recycling’ or ‘chemical recycling’ for non-mechanical recycling, as doing so creates a totally inappropriate and untruthful distinction between mechanical and non-mechanical recycling processes,” the policy states. Additionally, NRC doesn’t support any policy in which non-mechanical recycling is considered manufacturing and mechanical recycling isn’t, nor does it support various types of non-mechanical recycling as a means to reduce plastic pollution. NRC said it does support policies that distinguish between recycling – both mechanical and non-mechanical recycling – and solid waste management." https://lnkd.in/e4_iaZRg #NationalRecyclingCoalition #AdvancedRecycling #ChemicalRecycling #Plastics

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"In the fall of 2023, ILSR launched the CPR Campaign: Resuscitate the Climate in coalition with Zero Waste USA and the National Recycling Coalition to uplift waste reduction and materials conservation projects under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (CPRG) under the Inflation Reduction Act. The EPA recently announced award recipients for the CPRG Implementation Grants Tribes and Territories Competition totaling $300 million for climate pollution reduction measures. The grants are projected to reduce 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030 and 7 million metric tons by 2050. 34 applicants were selected, including 33 Tribal recipients and the Municipality of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Awards range from $1 million to $24 million, with an average of $8.8 million per grant." #EPAGrants #Composting #WasteRecycling #USA https://lnkd.in/dF5CNr58

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Well LinkedIn water people, guess what Circle of Blue just popped into my mailbox with... GHG Emissions from Wastewater Treatment within the EPA annual audit of the USA’s greenhouse gas emissions. "While national emissions have decreased since 1990, wastewater emissions have climbed in the same period by 13 percent from from 30.87 MMTCO2e to 35 MMTCO2e." edited More relevantly, why doesn't US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) separate out water as its own sector instead of burying it as a subcategory Wastewater under the primary category of Waste. What. Is. With. That? Water is a sector in and of its own right that deserves its own GhG category. Surely we can lobby EPA to get its head out of the sand and create water as a category for GhG measurement that subdivides sewage treatment (there is no such animal as wastewater), drinking water treatment, and stormwater management. No wonder we can't have a fulsome dialogue about the carbon footprint of water per se and effectively focus on the decarbonization of the water sector. Whaddya say Michael S. Regan?

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Bob Perschel, executive director of New England Forestry Foundation, discusses the critical role of forests in reducing atmospheric carbon in a recent Worcester Telegram & Gazette op-ed. "What’s largely missing from public discussion and policy is...reducing the climate pollution caused by the physical products used in building our homes and offices," he says. "Key to that is shifting from carbon-polluting steel, concrete and plastic to mass timber." Perschel reminds us that wood is a bio-based material that can be produced sustainably at scale by natural systems with little or no climate cost. He believes New England can lead the way in exemplary forest management for its readily available wood supply while combating the impacts of climate change. https://buff.ly/4cjSs3y #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #forestmanagement #climate #masstimber

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That's $265k per bus, which seems like a lot! But that ensures children are not exposed to toxic diesel fumes. https://lnkd.in/gDhaVtCv "ESBs are expensive: Battery-electric versions of small “Type A” school buses cost roughly $250,000, versus $50,000 to $65,000 for diesel; full-size “Type C” or “Type D” buses can range from $320,000 to $440,000 in electric form, versus about $100,000 for diesel."

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We did it! The MA Legislature passed ELM’s top two priorities on Thursday, a triumphant return of our Commonwealth’s resolve to address the climate crisis and embrace the clean energy sector’s potential for economic development and innovation. This is a victory not just for our team and for our partners (who put in countless hours over 22 months to see these bills across the finish line), but a tremendous win for everyone who will benefit from a cleaner environment, fairer system, and innovative climate technology. After the Legislature failed to act by July 31, these two climate packages drifted in limbo for much of the fall. But now, they’re headed to Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s desk for signature. I want to share highlights of what will soon become law - and why it's crucial for our fight against the climate crisis. First is the “Climate Omnibus,” https://lnkd.in/eEWxQBgh. This roughly 140 page bill:  • Reforms clean energy siting and permitting for speed and equity   • Authorizes a first-of-its-kind state procurement for energy storage resources  • Increases access to reliable electric vehicle charging  • Expands offshore wind tax incentives and improves the procurement process  • Moves utilities away from natural gas and toward electric alternatives So many components are important. Still, I am particularly pleased to see the thoughtful and significant reforms to energy siting and permitting. By streamlining processes and front-loading effective community engagement, we can accelerate the modernization of our electric grid, no longer falling victim to a slow and unresponsive system. Second is the Economic Development Bill, https://lnkd.in/eaEy4npg, which makes historic investments to grow, attract and retain the climate tech sector, as well as build a world-class workforce to run it. Modeled after the initiative that launched MA's dominance in life sciences, this bill funds our first 10-year strategy for climate tech and has been a key priority for both ELM and Governor Healey.   I firmly believe MA can – and must – be the best place in the nation to seed and scale the policies and technologies the world needs for a brighter future. ELM recognizes that, while we celebrate today, our work does not end here. In the months ahead, we will collaborate closely with the Admin to ensure the effective implementation of these bills, plus advance many other Legislative and Regulatory priorities to move MA forward. Increasingly, we are using LinkedIn as our primary means of communicating, so please consider following Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) for thoughtful and timely intel. Many in my network had a role in these wins and in supporting ELM. Thank you for helping to make this progress possible.   https://lnkd.in/ek-9iqCi

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Over the past year, I've seen a growing body of reports about the impacts of using sewage sludge as a fertilizer. But the issue got me wondering: If we can't use this material on farmland, what should we do with it? And how safe will the alternative be? Read what I learned from the treatment plant operators, health advocates and researchers on the front lines of the growing issue of PFAS contamination. https://lnkd.in/eSB-idjN

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Why do you need external expert to get derogation for PFAS restrictions?   The PFAS REACH landscape is a maze of complexity, stringency, and constant change.   This environment creates uncertainty and frustration for your business putting your products and profitability at risk.   👉But it doesn't have to be that way.   👉Don't let REACH complexity hold your business back.   👉Leverage our senior expertise to secure derogations and build a sustainable future for your products.   How?   ✅ Expert Guidance for Confident Navigation   Our senior experts possess the in-depth knowledge and practical experience to navigate the intricacies of PFAS restrictions.   We'll help you to secure derogations and develop forward-thinking strategies for long-term product sustainability.   ✅Clarified Complexity and Minimized Uncertainty   In a process marked by complexity and flux, our experts provide a steady hand.   We'll translate intricate rules into actionable steps, charting a clear course forward for your business.   By anticipating political and stakeholders landscape shifts, we’ll position your business for continued success.   ✅Proactive Strategy   Our proactive approach positions you as a solution-focused, forward-thinking provider, avoiding missteps that could lead to negative criticism.   Our established relationships with EU regulators lend credibility of your products.   We safeguard your brand and reputation throughout the derogation process.   👉What if you had a team of external senior experts, right at your fingertips, dedicated to managing your derogation process?   👉Would that make controlling your derogation process easier and less stressful?   Let's talk about it in a comment or private message.

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The more we learn about #PFAS, the worse it looks. https://lnkd.in/eZ3YgBCH

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NAEM's #FORUM24 is less than two months away!! Have you registered? This year there are dedicated tracks for Sustainability and Climate, in addition to tracks on Strategic EHS Management and Leadership. I'm looking forward to facilitating a panel, to include Scott Song of CBRE and Nickie Cashdollar of Culligan, talking about practical steps companies can take to prepare for CSRD, the SEC Climate Rules, and the California Climate Accountability Package. I hope to see you there! In the meantime, if you're feeling a bit behind on what is happening in the world of climate-related disclosures, check out the article linked below.

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This is one of the biggest movers in building electrification and heat pump deployment right now. You want to be here and hear from leaders like Maryland Department of the Environment on what the future of heat pump deployment looks like.

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The EPA's recent announcement of $4.3 billion in grants to reduce nearly 1 billion metric tons of carbon is a monumental step towards a sustainable future. This initiative spans 25 projects across 30 states, targeting crucial sectors for carbon reduction and clean energy advancement. Such large-scale investments are essential in our fight against climate change. They not only align with broader ESG goals but also open up opportunities for tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to innovate and support these efforts. Imagine the ripple effect of these projects on our environment and economy. Let's leverage our skills and resources to amplify these initiatives. Together, we can drive meaningful change. #Sustainability #ESG #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #TechForGood

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