News and Insights

USEPA Proposes Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for PFAS compounds in Drinking Water On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposed to amend the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)  for the PFAS compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt), 4.0 ppt for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and...

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If your business or facility emits pollutants (including greenhouse gases) to the air, has storm water flows, manages hazardous waste, or stores or otherwise uses certain toxic substances, then these regulatory reporting deadlines may apply to you.   Air emissions. Massachusetts Air Source Registration emissions reporting is required for certain triennial filers to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP)...

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Updates In Environmental Site Assessment For Commercial Real Estate In December 2021, by the  American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) released an update to the “Standard Practice For Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process” on commercial real estate.  The new Standard (1527-21) included clarifications over the old Standard (1527-13).  Notable updates under...

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SAK Environmental LLC completed the field phase of a statewide solid waste characterization study for Massachusetts’s five regional waste-to-energy plants. These facilities process 60% of the state’s solid waste, converting it to electricity. With the help of MSW Consultants Inc., the 2nd sampling season was completed in November where a composite sample of solid waste was sorted into...

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In accordance with MassDEP’s final 2030 Solid Waste Mater Plan and updated regulations, the following new waste ban limits will go into effect: Lowering the threshold on commercial organic/food waste to include facilities generating more than one-half ton (0.5) of these materials per week; and Adding mattresses and textiles to the list of materials banned from disposal or...

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The 2017 RGP expired on April 8, 2022. The draft General Permit for Dewatering and Remediation Activity Discharges – the DRGP (Draft 2022 DRGP) in Massachusetts (MAG910000) and New Hampshire (NHG910000), federal facilities in Vermont (VTG910000), and Indian country lands in Connecticut (CTG910000) and Rhode Island (RIG910000) was published on April 26, 2022. Public comments will be accepted until...

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The USEPA issued their new 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater discharges from construction activities on February 17, 2022. Active construction projects which received coverage under the 2017 CGP prior to February 16, 2022 have until May 18, 2022 to apply for coverage under the new CGP. Coverage under the new permit requires submittal of a new Notice of...

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SAK Environmental (SAK) is excited to announce that we are now licensed in Massachusetts to conduct on-site phase contrast microscopy (PCM) analysis of air samples for asbestos abatement projects, including air clearance sample testing and background air quality monitoring at both traditional and non-traditional abatement projects. This license was only possible after successfully demonstrating continued proficiency in four AIHA...

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Planning a Building Renovation or Demolition and have Asbestos Containing Materials? The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) recently revised asbestos regulations, 454 CMR 28.00: The Removal, Containment, Maintenance, Or Encapsulation Of Asbestos, effective April 2, 2021. These regulations primarily govern licensing, training, worker protection, and records retention. The revisions include a variety of changes, but most notably clarifying...

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SAK Environmental LLC (SAK) is pleased to announce that Stephen Sakakeeny, Principal, has joined the Site Selection Committee at the Essex County Habitat for Humanity (ECHfH) to assist the organization in searching for, and acquiring property for affordable housing development. A volunteer position, Stephen will help ECHfH navigate environmental challenges associated with property redevelopment, minimize the organization’s risk...

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