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Environmental Consultant

No two days at ONE Environmental Group are the same for Eric Krouse, who could be wearing a hard hat and reflective vest inspecting a solar array on one morning and at his desk the next, producing maps in GIS. Eric’s diversified skillset includes:

• Spatial data capture, management, analysis and presentation using GIS software
• Field data collection
• Site inspections for photovoltaic power plants
• Sediment and erosion control inspections

“I’m a jack of all trades,” said the Environmental Scientist, who is based in ONE’s Raleigh office. “I’ve worked for several companies since 2006, from little mom and pop shops to 1,000-plus employee engineering firms. My consulting work has ranged from wetland delineation and restoration in Yuma, Arizona, to stream studies in Baltimore to dam release impact studies in the Catskills of New York.”

Eric joined ONE as a GIS Analyst two years ago, and in addition to the variety of projects, he also enjoys the company’s flexibility. “We’re not in our own silos,” he said “Everyone talks to one another and coordinates with one another. If you don’t have a skill, they’re more than willing for you to take a class and pay for the training, and that’s incredible. I appreciate that ONE invests in their people.”

Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Brevard College. He completed additional coursework in GIS Systems at North Carolina State University and Levels I and II of Rosgen Fluvial Geomorphology at Wildland Hydrology in Asheville, North Carolina.

When not working, Eric is happiest hanging outdoors with his partner, Lyndsey, and their Labrador, Jack, his favorite subject as a photographer. Eric captures pictures of dogs as part of a pet photography hobby that’s morphed into a small business. He’s also the drummer in a nine-piece band, Restless Carolina. Reviews refer to the group as the undisputed heavyweight champion of wedding bands.

Created in 1995, the federal Universal Waste program outlines a mechanism for collection and recycling Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste. Four waste streams were added to the federal Universal Waste program between 1995 and 2018.

Some states began adding hazardous waste aerosol cans to their state universal waste programs during that time. In March of 2018, the EPA proposed adding aerosol cans to the federal universal waste list, using state programs as a model for their own Aerosols as Universal Waste Rule.

Having a universal waste classification is important for waste generators, as they can be less stringent in how aerosols are managed and packaged than if such items were classified as hazardous waste.

Over the past couple of years, dozens of states adopted the EPA’s Aerosols as Universal Waste Rule or a similar rule.

The EPA published a Final Rule, Increasing Recycling: Adding Aerosol Cans to the Universal Waste Regulations, on December 9, 2019. Virginia adopted this regulation on October 28, 2022. On December 14, 2022, Virginia published their adoption of the revised federal regulations in their annual update for 2022. Virginia’s rule then went into effect on January 18, 2023.

Virginia’s rule addresses spent aerosol cans that are generated by any business, government facility, school, or religious organization, and many other institutions. It details requirements related to puncturing, draining and recycling aerosol cans, as well as how they must be stored and handled.

The team at ONE Environmental stands ready to help waste generators in Virginia assess how aerosol waste regulations might impact their waste management practices and help ensure compliance with all state and federal requirements.

Environmental Consultant II 

Dave Valentine joined ONE Environmental Group’s Richmond office in January 2023, and as an Environmental Consultant II, he focuses on stormwater management and sustainability solutions. The Virginia Tech alumnus will complete his Executive Master of Natural Resources (XMNR) along with a Graduate Certificate from Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability this December. 

“I’m excited to learn from the team at ONE to develop new skills and transition from the construction to the industrial side of environmental compliance,” he said. “The cohort-based graduate program focuses on practicing systems leadership, applying social science theory, targeting personal development and understanding the technical components of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance). It’s a lot of collaborative teamwork to solve complicated problems with effective system-based solutions. I want to apply some of that back internally to the team at ONE.” 

Dave grew up next to Great Falls Park in Potomac, Maryland, “where I can honestly hike the Billy Goat Trail with my eyes closed because I’ve done it so many times,” he said. 

After two summers working in environmental consulting in Washington, D.C., he moved out west to try something new. He found a niche in outdoor recreation, and for 10 years, coached an Alpine Ski Program at a Lake Tahoe resort. He also dabbled in environmental restoration and stormwater management and went on to become a Certified Personal Trainer, managing a luxury fitness club. 

Dave is happy to be back east where he’s closer to family and excited about working at ONE. “It’s a small company that is doing big things,” he said. “There is an authenticity that I’ve gotten from the people I’ve worked with, and it’s nice being in a culture where people say what they mean and do so respectfully. I see a synergy with their knowledge and knowing where I’m coming from and looking to go. It seemed like a great fit.” 

Dave met his wife, Danica, playing beach volleyball in Lake Tahoe. They have one daughter, Delaney, 19 months. They love being outdoors together where they enjoy hiking, skiing and paddleboarding.  

A generation ago, conventional wisdom said things should be built to last. But with the explosion of technology ever the past couple of decades, businesses of all types are learning they must be built to change.

This includes the environmental consulting and services industry. Leaders in this industry have learned to adapt their high-touch business model to incorporate technology in ways that strengthens client relations and elevate the client experience.

ONE Environmental has strategically embraced a variety of technology, putting the latest software and hardware to use in our everyday work environment. For us, collaboration and transparency are table stakes. We deliver on our mission by effectively collaborating and communicating across geographies, both in-house and with our clientele.

More than five years ago, we started transitioning to cloud services, making our mission-critical apps available anywhere from our laptops and wireless cards. With satellite offices spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, these devices gave us a streamlined approach to keep everyone connected, mobile, and with secure access to important files.

The satellite office strategy further extended our ability to recruit and retain talent in local markets. In-house messaging and file sharing applications also supported our collaborative nature, particularly when teams in two separate locations work on shared projects.

Today, ONE Environmental continues to use the latest technology to enhance our valued employees’ work/life balance and further define of our technical prowess. For our clients, this ultimately translates into faster turn-around times and more cost-effective deliverables.

ONE’s usage of mobile apps and cloud services also leads to streamlined communication, file sharing, and collaboration externally with clients. Large files are seamlessly transferred and living files are set up so clientele can follow progress in real time – from the field to the office. 

Here are a few examples of applications the ONE Environmental team currently uses:

• XForms – A powerful field data collection tool.
• Airtable – For cloud collaboration.
• Quire – Great project management tool for remote teams.
• Microsoft Teams – The business communication platform built into Microsoft 365.
• Slack – The messaging platform designed for business.
• QNOPY – A mobile data collection app that takes, stores, and validates environmental field data.
• TeamGantt – A cloud-based Gantt chart and project planning tool.

And we’re just getting started. As technology continues to evolve, we’ve positioned ourselves to change with it and take full advantage of it for clients. We’ve solidified relationships with application developers who can build custom apps for clients to track compliance, field services, decommissioning, commissioning, and other activities, to name a few.

More than ever, technology is crucial in our day-to-day operations, ensuring our clients get maximum value and results from their relationship with ONE Environmental.

Facility operators are subject to a dizzying array of environmental reporting requirements. Many are waste and chemical related, some focus on water impacts, and still others target air emissions. Navigating the ins and outs of the various reports is a daunting task, even for the most adept operators.

It’s not just a matter of what goes into each report, it’s also important to understand when those reports must be submitted. Penalties and fines can be steep for operators who lose track of reporting deadlines and let their programs slip out of compliance.

Following is a brief summary of just a few of the major reporting requirements and deadlines that the ONE Environmental team can help operators manage, prepare for, and submit:

EPCRA Reporting: Tier II (Section 312) Due March 1 annually, TRI (Section 313) Due July 1 annually.

Passed in 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) addresses chemical-related safety and environmental concerns, specifically around how hazardous chemicals are stored and handled. In general, Tier II reporting is required under Section 312 of EPCRA for any facility with 10,000 pounds or more of a hazardous chemical at any one point in a calendar year. Note that certain chemicals may have lower thresholds. Also, other sections of the EPCRA have different reporting requirements. For example, Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting is due annually on July 1^st, Section 302 notifications are due within 60 days after receiving a chemical shipment or producing a hazardous substance and Section 304 release notifications must be made immediately

RCRA Biennial Reporting for LGQs: Due March 1 of even years.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has its own set of reporting requirements related to hazardous wastes. All RCRA Large Quantity Generators (LGQs) of hazardous waste in most states must file a Biennial (every other year) Report. This report is due each even year for the previous odd year’s hazardous waste generation. Keep in mind that this is a biennial report, and it is only required for Large Quantity Generators. Facilities that are generating within Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) or Small Quantity Generator (SQG) limits are exempt from this particular reporting requirement.

EPA Refrigerant Reporting: Due March 1 annually.

The EPA requires facilities to document and retain service and maintenance records for certain appliances containing refrigerants, depending on the unit type and refrigerant capacity. Facilities are also required to submit a report to the EPA by March 1st of each year for specific types of units, if in the calendar year 125% of the unit’s capacity is added to the appliance.

EPA Air Reporting Requirements: Due annually.

The EPA’s Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) authorize state and local agencies to collect and submit emissions data each year. This includes Air Emissions Inventories that are due to state agencies usually by March 1^st. Most states require these to be submitted electronically or online. Some facility operators must submit reports under the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) that cover emissions from the prior calendar year that are due by March 31st of each year. In addition, Annual Compliance Certification (ACC) under the EPA’s Title V air quality requirement must be submitted to many state agencies and the EPA by March 1^st of each year.

It’s easy to lose track of the myriad of annual environmental compliance report submittal requirements. The ONE team is highly skilled in providing guidance and assistance throughout the entire reporting process. Contact us to discuss your specific environmental reporting requirements and how we can help you keep your programs compliant and give you some valuable reporting peace of mind.

A class of emerging containments known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, has been getting an increasing amount of attention at all levels of government and the media lately. These human-made substances are described as “forever chemicals” given the way they can linger in the environment for decades without breaking down.

Unfortunately, they can also persist in the human body for long periods of time and are linked to several types of cancer, infertility, thyroid problems and other ailments. In June of 2022, the U.S. EPA issued guidance indicating that PFAS chemicals pose a greater health threat than originally thought.

Chemical companies have been using PFAS compounds to create a variety of products including nonstick cookware, cosmetics, moisture-repellent fabrics and fire-fighting foam. As reported by local media, PFAS was in the foam that was used to suppress the fire on the doomed Spirit of Norfolk harbor cruise ship near ONE Environmental’s Tidewater, Virginia location.

Until recently, PFAS was not necessarily a material issue for those performing due diligence during property transactions. Things began to change in late 2021, when the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) issued a new Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) standard that included guidance on considering PFAS in completing an ESA. The new standard, ASTM E1527-21, officially took effect on January 1, 2022.

In March of 2022, the EPA published a direct final rule to incorporate ASTM E1527-21 into “all appropriate inquiries” (AAI) procedures. However, the EPA did not change reference to the previous standard, ASTM E1527-13, nor did it amend AAI regulation. This means that for now, a commercial property stakeholder can follow either standard depending on their tolerance for risk, past property use, and other factors.

For example, buyers of property where there is low likelihood of historical PFAS use may be willing to assume more risk and follow the faster, less costly ASTM E1527-13 standard. Risk-averse purchasers, especially at properties where PFAS was potentially used at the property, may choose to follow the ASTM E1527-21 standard.

The rules can be confusing, since technically, the inclusion of PFAS in in ASTM E1527-21 is not quite a requirement yet. But the writing is on the wall, and prudent stakeholders would do well to start considering PFAS in their due diligence practices immediately.

ONE Environmental has vast expertise in due diligence processes, supporting clients all over the United States. Our team stands ready to help stakeholders navigate the complexity of the various standards and make the best possible decisions for their requirements.