Serdar Bankaci

As more results from predictive modeling have trouble matching what is being found by boots-on-the-ground using #SWORDFISH, water systems need to pivot to address requirements of the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements #LCRI. REGISTER FOR ELECTRO SCAN's 'BEST PRACTISE' WEBINAR Tuesday, November 12, 2024 11am Eastern / 10am Central / 9am Mountain / 8am Pacific https://lnkd.in/drhh5ySb New priorities for U.S. Water Systems include: (1) Conducting detailed field investigations to determine 'unknowns.' (2) Validating desktop-driven inventories on an annual basis. (3) Responding to Customers that may not agree with initial pipe designations. (4) Confirming lead pipes are being removed (i.e. not Copper or Plastic). #LCRI #LCRR #LCR #gettheleadout #waterquality #leadandcopper #leadpipes #electroscan #swordfish #newrulesneednewsolutions #water CBS NEWS VIDEO Alarming Amounts of Lead Found in Syracuse Drinking Water https://lnkd.in/ginkfBWk

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Getting the Lead Out is what Utilities need to achieve. The LCRI is clear on what has to be accomplished. The webinar being provided by Electro Scan Inc. will provide actionable information that will benefit your Utility and help you #gettheleadout. Sign up today.

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Key take-away: “The rule will place significant restrictions on new natural gas power plants at a time when reliability experts including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and nearly all of the grid operators, are flashing warning signs about the loss of dispatchable capacity during a time of surging electric demand. The almost certain result will be higher prices, diminished reliability, and even increased emissions, by stymying investment in new, highly efficient natural gas facilities to displace older, higher emitting, and/or more expensive resources.”

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Last week, an analysis of the Net Energy Billing (NEB) program commissioned by the Maine Public Utility Commission found for every dollar invested, there was $1.23 in benefits returned. This is just one of the recent studies looking at the economic and environmental value of community solar, building upon a body of work across the country bearing out a similar conclusion: community solar is a winning policy for people and the planet. Check out the study and see exactly how this value stack breaks down. Unsurprisingly, transmission and distribution benefits are one of the most valuable pieces of the puzzle. #maine #communitysolar #gridreliability #distributedenergy #environment #renewables #climate #solar

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Kathleen Draper in response to your request to comment on other superfund remediation projects like this one. The projects i’m referring to are using materials in which a EPA TOSCA approved material patented process to remove contaminants from water bodies is also being used. this is my comment and my concern with “this project and other EPA approved remediation activities in which non EPA materials are approved by the EPA is of concern especially on projects like this one when both the EPA and Clean Carbon Main have direct knowledge of only approved materials and choose to use inferior product” These seemingly look like advancements in innovative solutions they’re quite the opposite. This is a setback for the environment bio char and the remediation industry. The results of this remediation will be issues the effectiveness of bio char in soil and water application. The effectiveness of this project will be impacted by the Cavalier attitude of the EPA and decision to purchase a material based on price not on environmental protection.

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The question of whether or not a utility’s water samples exceed federal PFAS limits could come down to whether the lab technician had McDonald’s for lunch. When the EPA set enforceable standards in April to limit PFAS chemicals in drinking water, they set the maximum contaminant levels for PFAS at 4.0 parts per trillion — that’s right at the lowest level you can actually detect through a lab test. And so, a test isn’t going to detect 3.0 parts per trillion; it can only detect 4.0 PPT. It’s such a tiny difference that if a lab technician were to touch a fast-food wrapper — which we all know contain PFAS — before handling the sample, it could completely throw off the test results. Keep in mind that it takes six to eight weeks from the time the sample is collected until the lab delivers the results, and think about the chain of custody of all the people handling that sample. That’s a lot of opportunity for cross contamination. And it only takes one cheeseburger. The results of that test will dictate a water utility’s decision as to whether to invest millions of dollars in equipment so they can comply with the new PFAS limits. This is why you need to rely on strong partners. The only possible way to avoid that kind of scenario is to work with a partner that has a thorough understanding of these kinds of processes because they’re immersed in the industry, on the forefront of innovation, and they’ve been doing all this for over a century. Because when a multimillion-dollar decision comes down to a highly sensitive lab test, you want to make sure the team handling the testing knows exactly what they’re doing — right down to a detail as minute as whether someone had drive-thru on their lunch break.

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GREEN LEADERS We are dedicated to introducing and promoting the adoption of carbon-reducing activities within the Great State of Maine. We believe a cleaner, healthier environment is attainable through the reduction of our society’s dependence on petroleum hydrocarbons. Our sustainably sourced, cleaner burning biofuel is one energy alternative that immediately reduces an organization’s carbon footprint without any significant increase in cost or sacrifice in performance. Our mission is to support Maine-based organizations that are actively planning on transitioning their reliance on petroleum hydrocarbons to cleaner, greener alternatives. https://lnkd.in/ehPqHJPk

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I finally caught up on some of my reading, and if you are in or around the wastewater business, you need to take a look at the first EPA CWNS report in a decade and commit these figures to memory. The latest EPA Clean Watersheds Needs Survey sheds light on the critical state of our nation's wastewater infrastructure. Here’s what the data shows—and why it matters: 🔹 $271 Billion Investment Gap: The U.S. needs $271 billion over the next 20 years to maintain and upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems. This funding is crucial to prevent service disruptions, protect water quality, and ensure that wastewater treatment plants can handle current and future demand. 🔹 Aging Systems on the Brink: With 56% of sewer pipes over 40 years old, many systems are nearing the end of their useful life. Without urgent repairs or replacements, these aging systems are more likely to fail, leading to costly emergency fixes and environmental contamination from untreated sewage spills. 🔹 Public Health Risks: Combined sewer overflows release over 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater into the environment annually. This not only poses serious health risks, such as exposure to harmful pathogens, but also degrades the quality of our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, affecting ecosystems and recreation. 🔹 Emerging Contaminants Challenge: Contaminants like PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics are not effectively removed by many existing treatment facilities. Upgrading over 4,000 facilities at a cost of $12 billion is essential to address these pollutants, protect drinking water sources, and reduce the long-term health risks associated with exposure. 🔹 Climate Resilience is Essential: With 83% of wastewater facilities vulnerable to climate impacts, including flooding and sea level rise, enhancing resilience is key to maintaining continuous service. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure can prevent catastrophic failures and reduce recovery costs after extreme weather events. 🔹 Equity Gaps Persist: Low-income and rural communities often lack the resources needed to upgrade their wastewater systems, leading to significant disparities in service quality and environmental health outcomes. Addressing these equity gaps is crucial to ensuring that all communities have access to safe and reliable wastewater services. 🔹 Federal Support Lagging: Federal funding for wastewater infrastructure has drastically declined from covering 63% of capital costs in the 1970s to less than 9% today. Increasing federal investment is necessary to support state and local efforts, close the funding gap, and ensure that essential upgrades can be made. Each of these points underscores the critical need for a renewed focus on wastewater infrastructure. #WastewaterInfrastructure #PublicHealth #ClimateResilience #EnvironmentalJustice #InfrastructureInvestment #CleanWater

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Well, I’ve got “LATEST” covered! Didn’t submit my speaker details. Evidently, I’m on this panel too. Everyone else can thumb wrestle for “greatest.” Don’t miss this discussion next month. Should be a good one. The benefits surely outweigh the challenges. Most of these obstacles are for contractors to worry about, not site owners/operators. It’s like a stage play - you may notice the mistakes but don’t make apologies and get on with it - the audience is enthralled! #VACES #agrisolar #agrivoltaics #solargrazing #Virginia #cleanenergy #renewables #VCES #VirginiaCleanEnergySummit #VASolar #VirginiaSolar #dualuse #colocation #allthehashtags

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Recent solar industry bankruptcies have left more than just an economic imprint—they've sparked a pivotal realignment within the sector. With companies like Titan folding, countless homeowners are stranded mid-installation or grappling with malfunctioning systems, posing a stark reminder of the necessity for robust support networks and dependable service. We are not witnessing a "downturn" in the solar industry amidst these bankruptcies; we are seeing a necessary correction. This phase is refining our approach, prioritizing sustainability over speed and quality over quantity. At GreenBrilliance, we're stepping up to aid those affected, ensuring that solar remains a reliable and empowering energy solution. Because the future isn't just about having solar power—it's about having a solar power system that lasts. #sustainabilityviasolarpower #PoweringASolarFuture #solarindustry #cleanenergy #solarmovement #sustainability

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A recent article that my PFAS network may find interesting about the problem of PFAS impacted water at schools right here in Maine and what some districts are doing for treatment including the costs to install. There's a pretty good interactive map Tracking PFAS levels in Maine's public water systems as of April 2024. Some of my colleagues and family friends are in some of these areas and I know this is close to home for some of us. Of particular interest in the article, one school district drilled a new well for "PFAS free" water and then identified a radon issue in the new well showing how complicated addressing environmental contamination can be overall and why a holistic approach is needed in addressing environmental contamination including PFAS treatment. Here in Maine, the average residential radon level in air slightly exceeds the action level (i.e. mitigation is recommended) and this your friendly reminder to have your home tested if you haven't. https://lnkd.in/euwzV9xN https://lnkd.in/eirWUBWb

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Press Release: Opinion Dynamics to Support Vermont in Developing a Groundbreaking Clean Heat Standard Opinion Dynamics is pleased to announce we have been selected by the Vermont Public Utility Commission to support the development of the Vermont Clean Heat Standard. As the technical consultant to the Commission, Opinion Dynamics will be responsible for developing clean heat measure characterizations and aiding the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and the Vermont Public Utility Commission in designing and implementing the standard. The Affordable Heat Act, passed in 2023, aims to reduce Vermont’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from heating fuel while simultaneously providing all Vermonters equitable access to clean heating technologies and the benefits of clean heat measures. Developing a heating fuel performance standard is a keystone of this act, and Opinion Dynamics will be contributing expertise garnered from more than a decade of partnering with clients in the development of technical resource manuals (TRMs) across the US to support the initiative. “It is our privilege to play a part in developing one of the nation’s first operational Clean Heat Standards,” said Erin Kempster, Director of Decarbonization at Opinion Dynamics. We applaud the efforts of the Vermont stakeholders who brought the state to this point and recognize that this Standard represents an example of what promises to be many similar efforts across the nation. With eight US Climate Alliance members pledging to explore such development in September 2023, we look forward to future collaboration.” An industry leader in electrification and decarbonization analysis, Opinion Dynamics has helped clients across the country develop zero-carbon solutions that benefit customers, reduce GHG emissions, and provide beneficial grid impacts. This opportunity is a testament to our exceptional level of project management and industry-leading experience developing fuel-agnostic TRMs, working closely with, and on behalf of, our clients in collaboration with key stakeholders, including regulatory advisory groups and technical expertise. We have assembled an impressive team of diverse and highly qualified research and evaluation professionals and are excited to bring this diverse skillset and team to this unprecedented effort. Media Contact: Keri Bailey, Senior Manager, Brand Strategy [email protected]

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All the Chatter About "Made in America" – Here's My Take There's a lot of talk in the solar industry about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., and I'm all for it. We've even seen legislation aimed at supporting this. But when you look closely—at conferences or in conversations—foreign products still dominate. Why? It's easy to choose speed and cost over long-term sustainability. But at GreenBrilliance, we've spent over a decade proving that taking the long view and building in America is worth it. We owe it to ourselves, our customers, and our country to take this approach. #sustainabilityviasolarpower #PoweringASolarFuture #solarindustry #cleanenergy #solarmovement #sustainability

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100 Days Until EPA Deadline. And, according to insiders water systems will have a minimum of 3 years to turn all their UNKNOWNS into specific pipe materials, including Copper, Galvanized Requiring Replacement, and Lead water services. The problem with visual inspection of the meter box and house bib, not to mention predictive or estimating water service pipe materials is that homeowners will still not know whether their buried pipe has lead. That's what Electro Scan Inc.'s SWORDFISH does. The industry's only machine-intelligent solution that can certify a water service as lead-free, while determining pipe material from the main to the house. #gettheleadout #swordfish #lcr #lcrr #lcri https://conta.cc/3XVsiR1

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In a historic move, our government has made a tangible commitment to ensure all people in this nation have access to water that is free of lead. The EPA has released its newest Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which require drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.    We celebrate the Biden-Harris Administration's unprecedented infrastructure funding, Radhika Fox's leadership at the EPA in shaping this rule, and the Office of Water's resolve to see it implemented. These new improvements to the rule both reduce current risk and mitigate future harm by:    Mandating water systems to begin lead replacement now and replacing all lead pipes within 10 years; Requiring systems to update inventories on an annual basis, create lead service line replacement plans, and identify/verify all materials in unknown areas; Requiring full replacement of lead service lines, mitigating the risk of lead exposure from partial service line replacement; Lowering the lead action level to 10 µg/L, so that systems take action sooner; and Requiring systems with multiple exceedances to conduct active outreach and provide lead-reducing filters.    I am thrilled to see this rule implemented. This is a critical step towards advancing a future where all can flourish.    Read more about this critical government step for racial & economic justice in our water systems: https://lnkd.in/gRQy9TUf

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Water Management on Green Roofs: Stormwater Benefits by GreenGrid Roofs (Weston Solutions, Inc.) #climatechange #greeninfrastructure #greenroofs #stormwatermanagement #sustainability https://lnkd.in/ew_e3WhH

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