Society of Women Environmental Professionals

The summer SWEP meeting is Tuesday July 22 entitled “Sustainability Reporting: An Overview of CDP and GRI Reporting” by Kimberlee Rankin.  Ms. Rankin works for the Cadmus’ Energy Services Division specializing in carbon accounting, sustainability reporting, and energy-efficiency program planning and evaluation.  The meeting will be held at the Broomfield location of The Egg & I (799 U.S. Highway 287, Broomfield, CO 80020).  Please contact us if you have any questions at [email protected].  You can review the meeting information here: SWEP Invitation_July 22 2014.

Do you think it is time for a networking event?  We sure do!  A time to get together and mingle with other environmental professionals in a relaxing atmosphere.  Space is reserved at Vita near downtown Denver on Wednesday May 14th from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm.  SWEP will provide light appetizers, and a cash bar will be available.  Please email [email protected] to RSVP.  We ask that you do this no later than Friday May 9th.  You can review the event announcement here: Happy Hour_May 14 2014.

Have you wanted to improve your writing?  Could you or your business use a little assistance in the written word department?  The first SWEP meeting of 2014 could be just the thing to help you.  The next meeting entitled “Writing Well to Improve Your Business” is Wednesday February 12 to be presented by Vicki Kraus.  Ms. Kraus works for Environmental Technical Writing Company, LLC.  Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc. has offered the use of their facility for the meeting (2650 E 40th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205).  Please contact us if you have any questions at [email protected].  You can review the meeting information here.

Jenny McClister, Environmental Attorney, McClister Law, LLC and Kristen Dickey, Environmental Manager, WSP presented Environmental Diligence 101 and the New ASTM Standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments at our December SWEP luncheon.

Click here to download the presentation slides: FINAL_SWEP Presentation Dec 2013

Summary:  On November 6, 2013, ASTM issued an updated standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, ASTM E 1527-13.  ASTM Phase Is are the industry standard for environmental diligence in real estate transactions namely because EPA has incorporated the ASTM standard into its rule for achieving “all appropriate inquiry” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”).  A prospective purchaser must perform “all appropriate inquiry” prior to purchasing a property if it wants to establish any of the three diligence-based defenses to CERCLA liability.

This discussion covered what “all appropriate inquiry” is and the defenses to CERCLA liability; the principal differences between the new ASTM standard and its predecessor; how the new standard will impact transactions (e.g., cost considerations and timing); and the status of EPA’s approval of the new ASTM standard.  

Please visit the SWEP Jobs Page for more information about this job opening with Walsh Environmental.

The speaker from our August luncheon, Elaine Porter (Tetra Tech/COGA Wildlife Subcommittee Chair) has graciously offered to share her slides from the presentation, Wildlife Hot Topics in Colorado.

Click here to download: Wildlife_SWEP_Porter

Our next meeting will be August 1st with a presentation on “Wildlife Hot Topics in Colorado” by Elaine Porter.  Ms. Porter is the co-chair of Colorado Oil and Gas Association’s (COGA) Wildlife Subcommittee.  URS is graciously hosting the meeting at their Denver Tech Center office (8181 East Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80237).  Please contact us if you have any questions at [email protected].

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at Geotech’s Field Days June 20th and 21st!  We asked people to drop their business cards in a bowl for a chance to win a gift card from Beau Jo’s pizza.  We mixed up the cards, drew out two, and  Margot Rode of Running-rabbit and Susan Carter of ECC are the two winners!  Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

The SWEP Steering Committee will be meeting at the GeoTech Field Days, from 3:30 to 4:30 in the small conference room. We will discuss the current budget, feedback on recent events, and plans for future luncheons. Please let us know if you would like to be part of the Steering Committee: [email protected].

We are pleased to announce the upcoming 5th Annual Field Days at Geotech Envrionmental Equipment, Inc. on June 20 – 21.  This is a free event, so make sure you pass the word of this great event!  SWEP will have a table set up, so feel free to stop by and say hi!  Check out Geotech’s website for more information, including registration information:

http://www.geotechenv.com/field_days.html