Northwest Environmental Business Council’s Post

My piece on what US government scientists can do to prepare for the Trump administration is featured in this list of the Revelator's top environmental commentaries of 2024. https://lnkd.in/ec6Yw2ci 

During a 30-day public comment period, EM’s Hanford Field Office (HFO) hosted its annual Hanford Site 5-Year Plan public meeting this fall to engage the public about Hanford Site cleanup work to be completed or initiated during fiscal years 2025 to 2029. HFO representatives provided an overview of Hanford’s goals and objectives in major areas, including tank waste treatment, risk reduction and site infrastructure. Representatives with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State Department of Ecology also shared their perspectives, followed by a Q&A session with meeting attendees. HFO will use feedback collected during the comment period to better understand the public’s project priorities as it develops future budget submissions! 👍

🌍✨ Exciting news: the budget and funding interactive map for the HEAL Act is here! 🎉 This interactive map will track funding for projects benefiting our environment. It will specifically highlight how much funding goes to overburdened communities, ensuring transparency and accountability in our environmental justice efforts. The HEAL Act aims to uplift all communities, especially those most affected by environmental challenges. This new tool will empower you to see where investments are being made and help advocate for equitable distribution of resources. Check it out today!

📣 Read all about it! 🗞 Several of our experts – from our Environmental Justice, Site Solutions, and Health Sciences practices – have co-authored an article in the Environmental Bankers Association Journal’s Summer issue. Elizabeth Sherwood Krol, PG, EP, MBA, CRE, Kun Zhao, Leo Rebele, Sofia Leotta, Alma (Cardenas) Feldpausch, Elizabeth Miesner The article, entitled Navigating the Complex Community Engagement Requirements as Part of Site Cleanups, presents the challenges often associated with brownfield cleanups through three case studies from Lynnwood, California. “Brownfield sites are frequently located in communities already burdened by environmental and socioeconomic factors such as poor air quality, high traffic impact, low household income, and high unemployment rates. These factors often overlap with high populations of people of color and communities that primarily speak languages other than English. Thus, the long-term success of any brownfield cleanup project often hinges on how the proponents of the projects approach environmental justice issues.” ➡ Read the full article (https://lnkd.in/ebUPxu7R starts on page 24) #EJ #proactiveEJ #brightminds #DEI #environmentaljustice #sitesolutions #healthsciences

How does Washington promote environmental justice? The HEAL (Healthy Environment for All) Act is transforming how we strengthen our communities. It ensures that all Washington residents, especially overburdened communities and tribes, are equitably considered in the development and implementation of environmental laws, rules and policies. Curious to see where investments are making an impact? Explore the HEAL Act Dashboard for transparent insights: https://lnkd.in/gn-GbThB What steps do you think are crucial for advancing environmental justice in your community?

Jordan Ramis PC will be a bronze sponsor of the 2024 Business & The Environment Conference presented by Northwest Environmental Business Council, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. David Rabbino will be moderating a panel on “Managing Environmental Liabilities in Transactions.” This session will discuss the risks to be aware of when dealing with environmental liabilities, ways to mitigate those risks, including how to minimize future liability with the government and/or potentially effectuate a transfer of cleanup liabilities.

Science, data, and research are critical to advancing #EnvironmentalJustice by showing how disparities in environmental quality and health outcomes happen— and to help identify ways to reduce environmental inequities. It is why we have the Center for Environmental Justice at Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum and helped contribute to https://lnkd.in/dGavfGai

An excellent blog about #citizenscience and #environmentalpolicy! “By integrating citizen science with traditional methods, environmental review processes can become more comprehensive, transparent and defensible." #SciComm #DialogicModel https://lnkd.in/etgsGjNZ

🌿 Needing some assistance with environmental planning and permitting? Our team at Summit is here to help you every step of the way. From wetland delineations to managing species at risk, we're have experts to see you through to the end. Check out our website for more information on how we can make sure your project is covered in all it's environmental needs! 🌍 #EnvironmentalPlanning #Permitting #SummitEarth

Here’s a blog post to learn a little about me and what I do for INHS and IDOT!