The Environmental Transformation Podcast with Sean Grady

Battelle's Chlorinated Conference draws 1,500 environmental professionals from 23 countries, and its division manager explains why PFAS treatment is pushing the industry to its limits.Joe Tarsavage, Division Manager of Environmental Solutions at Battelle, discusses the 30-year history of the Chlorinated Conference, how PFAS contamination has reset treatment standards from two nines to five or six nines of removal, and why that gap is driving rapid innovation across the remediation sector. He also addresses how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape site investigation, data analysis, and client reporting, and why the industry is only scratching the surface of what that technology can do.Tarsavage details Battelle's expanding conference portfolio, including the upcoming Sediments Conference in Austin in January 2027 and the newly rebranded Battelle Bloom Conference in June 2027, which will broaden the traditional bioremediation platform to include critical minerals and land optimization. He also touches on emerging contaminants now appearing on EPA's CCL 6 list, including microplastics and 6PPD-quinone, and what it will take for laboratories and researchers to develop reliable analytical methods for those compounds.The conversation also covers Battelle's student mentoring program, the value of deliberate mentorship in a field where it no longer happens organically, and what Tarsavage is asking conference participants to help shape for future events.#Battelle #PFAS #EnvironmentalConsulting #remediation #technologyCHAPTERS:0:00 Introduction and Joe Tarsavage's Role at Battelle0:58 History and Growth of the Chlorinated Conference2:55 PFAS as the Dominant Industry Topic5:00 Building the Conference Platform and Steering Committee6:05 AI and Digital Technology in Environmental Work8:50 How Reporting Timelines Have Changed Over 30 Years9:45 Poster Sessions, Student Competition, and Mentoring12:45 What Has Changed Most Over the Conference's 30 Years14:45 Vapor Intrusion, PFAS, and Evolving Regulations16:30 PFAS Treatment Challenges and Innovation17:50 Where Battelle and the Conference Are Headed Next19:35 Emerging Contaminants: Microplastics and 6PPD-Quinone21:15 Battelle's Role in Methods Development22:00 Conference Venue Plans and Future Locations23:45 The Value of Networking at Industry Conferences25:30 Closing RemarksReply

ToxiMapp aggregates over 60 geospatial environmental datasets to show users exactly which toxicants are present in the air, water, and soil near any U.S. address, and the platform's founders say most people have no idea what surrounds them.Deb Hordon, Ph.D., founder and CEO of ToxiMapp, built the platform after moving her infant daughter into two separate communities with cancer clusters. Neither location looked dangerous. One was a picturesque seacoast area between Maine and New Hampshire with expensive real estate and top-rated schools. The data told a different story. Peter Cada, chief environmental scientist at ToxiMapp and an instructor at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment, joined to build the underlying data infrastructure, drawing on his prior work contributing to the EPA's EnviroAtlas.The episode covers how ToxiMapp's patent-pending toxin intensity scoring system works across air, water, and land media; why the platform is positioned as a shortcut for Phase I environmental site assessments and NEPA reviews; how partnerships with healthcare providers and diagnostic labs like Mosaic Diagnostics connect environmental exposure data to clinical testing; and what the roadmap looks like as the platform approaches 1,900 tracked toxicants and adds surface water and expanded air quality datasets.The conversation also addresses PFAS contamination, the ethics of publishing environmental data near residential properties, crowdsourcing as a future data collection strategy, and the platform's current pricing model starting at $19.99 per address search.#EnvironmentalHealth #ToxiMapp #toxins #data #mapping #environment #riskmanagement #pfas TAGS:environmental toxins map, toxic neighborhood score, environmental site assessment tool, PFAS tracking, EPA ECHO alternative, EnviroAtlas, Mosaic Diagnostics, cancer cluster, environmental intelligence platform, geospatial environmental data, phase one ESA, brownfield sites, Superfund sites, environmental consulting tools, air water soil contamination, environmental health podcast, GIS environmental analysisLearn more at https://www.toximapp.com/Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank & E-Pump, and WASTELINQ

The U.S. Department of Energy spends roughly $8 billion annually cleaning up nuclear waste from Manhattan Project-era sites like Hanford, Washington and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. On this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady sits down with Steve Moore, president and CEO of Veolia Nuclear Solutions Federal Services Group, to discuss the agency's most pressing environmental liabilities and innovative remediation technologies.Moore describes the scale of the challenge: 56 million gallons of high-level radioactive waste currently stored in above-ground tanks at Hanford alone. He explains how Veolia's patented GeoMelt vitrification technology transforms reactive metals and radioactive waste into stable glass, and discusses the company's operations of two of the largest radioactive waste landfills in the nation.The conversation covers emerging opportunities to revitalize federal sites as data centers and advanced reactor facilities, the "competetition" model where contractors collaborate on complex projects, and why the nuclear remediation field offers meaningful careers for young professionals seeking challenging environmental work.

Host Sean Grady talks with Kevin Lavezzo of CHEMTREC about the side of the chemical world most people never see, but responders rely on when accurate information matters. They unpack what CHEMTREC actually does, including how its Emergency Operations Center triages calls, uses tools like the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), and connects callers with product experts.Lavezzo explains a common misconception: first responders can call CHEMTREC for help without paying a fee, and the team will still work to support a response even when company information is incomplete. The conversation also covers how CHEMTREC supports compliance for shippers, manages safety data sheets, provides hazmat and regulatory training, and coordinates parts of incident response through partners.They also dig into real-world challenges, from language barriers and global response complexity to responder skill gaps with monitors and interpreting SDS details, plus emerging trends like lithium-ion battery incidents and severe weather impacts on transportation.Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank & Pump, and WASTELINQ.

On the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Charlie Sellars, author of “What We Can Do, a Climate Optimist Guide to Sustainable Living” and a director of sustainability at Microsoft. Topics include:• Why “crisis language” can burn people out, and how Sellars frames “pragmatic” climate optimism. (“crisis language kind of burns people out”; “The optimism language is a pragmatic language.”)• Carbon accounting basics and early carbon footprint labels in food. (“we’re kind of at day one of carbon accounting”; “Sweet Green will actually put the, uh, carbon footprint of your meal”)• Life cycle assessment and the “make it, move it, use it, lose it” framework. (“It’s called lifecycle assessment”; “make it, move it, use it, lose it framework.”)• Right to repair, product longevity, and the power of buying signals and reviews. (“right to repair movement”; “voting with their, uh, their wallets”; “leaving a positive review”)• Clean energy debates on nuclear, solar barriers, and how AI is driving data center energy demand. (“discouraging nuclear power generation”; “preventing people and companies from installing solar panels”; “what they’re used for is now ai”; “AI obviously takes a lot of energy.”)

Alan McKim, founder of Clean Harbors, joins the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss how he grew the company from a four-person startup in 1980 into one of North America's largest environmental and industrial services providers. McKim reflects on early emergency response work, major acquisitions including Safety Kleen, going public during the 1987 crash, and building a nationwide network of 20,000 employees, 10,000 vehicles, 700 service centers, and 100 permitted waste facilities. He also shares insights from his Undercover Boss experience, the role technology plays in Clean Harbors operations, and lessons from his book, “Doing the Doing.”Thanks to our Sponsors: WASTELINQ, E-Tank, and Cascade Environmental

Dr. Slava Libman, co-founder and CEO of FTD Solutions, joins host Sean Grady on the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss how digital twin technology is transforming industrial water and energy use. Libman shares FTD’s origin story, explains how digital twins help facilities optimize performance and reduce costs, and explores their impact on sustainability and ESG goals. He also covers real-world applications in semiconductor manufacturing, collaboration through SEMI and IRDS, and how AI and data analytics are shaping the future of industrial efficiency.Thanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

Sourgum co-founder and CEO Joe DiNardi-Mack shares how his team is using technology, AI, and data analytics to modernize the waste and recycling industry. He discusses scaling a nationwide waste management platform, supporting local haulers, improving routing and diversion rates, and offering enterprise waste solutions. Topics include waste management software, recycling technology, sustainability strategies, startup growth, Series A funding, and building an operating system for waste services across the U.S.Thanks to our Sponsors: WASTELINQ, E-Tank, and Cascade Environmental

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Meaghan Colligan Hembree, Environmental, Compliance & Disputes Partner at Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. She counsels Fortune 500 companies and global brands on chemical risk, environmental compliance, and high-stakes disputes.Hembree explains extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, how they affect packaging, plastics, recycling, and supply chains, and what companies must do to prepare for compliance across states and globally. The discussion also covers the China waste import ban, circular economy challenges, and the future of recycling infrastructure.00:00 Why Recycling Needs a National Approach01:13 Meet Megan Colligan Hembry: EPR Legal Expert02:25 EPR Explained: Extended Producer Responsibility04:54 The 2018 Turning Point & Policy Responses07:19 Industry's Struggle: Adapting to China’s Ban11:39 How Companies Organize for EPR Compliance13:38 Packaging, Supply Chains, and Regulatory Complexity16:14 Operational Challenges Inside EPR Programs18:46 EPR’s Impact on Product and Package Design21:24 Data Collection & Reporting Complexities24:50 Making Packaging Truly Recyclable28:12 Beyond Packaging: Tires, Batteries & Other EPR Products32:48 Does EPR Drive Innovation and Sustainability?35:47 Federal vs State EPR: Who Should Take the Lead?40:19 RCRA, Universal Waste, and Circular Economy Paths45:47 Will EPR Raise Prices? Costs, Consumers & Fairness50:03 Will EPR Actually Improve Recycling for Consumers?52:00 Why Systematic Recycling Education Matters54:34 Making Recycling Trendy & Accessible55:40 Closing Thoughts & Outlook on EPR and SustainabilityOpvTDfEuhQpfjN4UpcG5

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA). Roberson shares insights from over 34 years in water policy, including how ASDWA supports state drinking water agencies, challenges of PFAS regulation, and the impact of federal funding shortfalls on public health protection. The discussion covers drinking water regulations, the role of state labs, infrastructure funding, workforce shortages, and more.Chapters with Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background02:12 – What Is ASDWA and Its Mission04:33 – ASDWA’s Role in Federal Rulemaking07:05 – PFAS Regulation Updates and Compliance Timelines13:42 – State Data Sharing and Collaboration18:20 – Concerns Over GenX and Short-Chain PFAS22:01 – Cost of Compliance and Affordability26:44 – Federal Funding Gaps and SRF Limitations31:10 – Holding Polluters Accountable34:40 – State-Level PFAS Standards and Support38:02 – Lab Testing Capacity and State Limitations42:35 – Lead Pipe Inventories and Replacement Challenges46:10 – Regulatory Burdens and Ratepayer Equity49:20 – Infrastructure Needs and Workforce Challenges54:00 – ASDWA’s Top Priorities for 202557:30 – Final Thoughts and ClosingPFAS drinking water rule, Safe Drinking Water Act, lead pipe replacement, Alan Roberson, ASDWA, EPA drinking water standards, public health and water utilities, SRF funding, UCMR5, GenX chemicals, state drinking water labs, water infrastructure, environmental policy, clean water initiatives, water workforce shortage, environmental transformation podcast

Emily Donovan of Clean Cape Fear returns to the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss the EPA’s proposed rollback of the PFAS drinking water rules and how it potentially could impact contaminated communities like hers in North Carolina. Host Sean Grady explores the legal, regulatory, and public health stakes behind the EPA’s May 14 announcement, with Donovan providing on-the-ground insight into the movement to hold polluters accountable, protect public drinking water, and stop PFAS exposure. Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ📍 Chapters:0:00 - Intro and Emily Donovan returns2:05 - Clean Cape Fear’s 8-year mission6:40 - PFAS origins and EPA rule rollback10:10 - Anti-backslide concerns and regulatory uncertainty17:15 - Public health risks of short-chain PFAS22:00 - Who pays for clean water? Utilities, polluters, or the public27:50 - Legal action and transparency challenges32:10 - National awareness and the role of media38:45 - Partnerships with advocates like Mark Ruffalo and Keen43:10 - Final thoughts: Doing what’s right for communities🎧 Listen, learn, and join the “little army of goodness” working to end PFAS contamination.

In this episode, host Sean Grady sits down with Jim Galligan, Senior Vice President at TerraTherm, to discuss advanced thermal remediation technologies. Jim, an industry veteran with over 34 years of expertise, dives deep into thermal conduction heating (TCH), electrical resistance heating (ERH), and steam-enhanced extraction (SEE)—powerful techniques used to remediate recalcitrant contaminants like PFAS, chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE), PCBs, dioxins, and petroleum hydrocarbons.Learn how thermal remediation effectively targets complex contaminant source zones, even beneath buildings or challenging infrastructure, and discover why depth and geology are no longer barriers. Jim dispels common myths about thermal technologies, addresses lifecycle costs compared to traditional methods like chemical oxidation, and explains critical factors such as power infrastructure and hydrogeological site characterization.Ideal for environmental consultants, remediation engineers, and project managers looking for proven strategies to achieve rapid and reliable cleanup goals. Join us as we uncover how TerraTherm is driving innovation in environmental remediation, offering sustainable solutions and unparalleled performance in treating soil and groundwater contamination.#EnvironmentalTransformation #ThermalRemediation #TerraTherm #SoilCleanup #GroundwaterRemediation #PFAS #environmentalengineering 00:00 – Introduction to the Environmental Transformation Podcast01:15 – Meet Jim Galligan: 34 Years in Thermal Remediation03:25 – Overview of TerraTherm and Its Mission06:40 – What Is Thermal Remediation? Key Technologies Explained10:55 – Thermal Conduction Heating (TCH) Deep Dive13:45 – Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) Explained16:05 – Steam-Enhanced Extraction (SEE) Use Cases18:10 – Ideal Site Conditions for Thermal Remediation22:30 – Treating Deep Contaminant Zones: Why “Deeper Is Cheaper”25:00 – Real-World Project Examples and Case Studies29:15 – Site Selection and Design Considerations33:45 – Comparing Lifecycle Costs of Thermal vs. Chemical Treatments37:20 – Power Infrastructure Needs and Utility Coordination41:50 – Debunking Common Myths About Thermal Remediation50:10 – Regulatory Cleanup Goals and Treatment Effectiveness54:20 – Remediation of PFAS, Dioxins, PCBs, and VOCs59:30 – Thermal’s Impact on Soil and Microbial Recovery1:03:00 – Thermally Enhanced Bioremediation and Future Innovations1:06:40 – How to Design an Effective Thermal Treatment System1:10:00 – How to Contact TerraTherm and Learn More

Join host Sean Grady as he welcomes Jim Sullivan, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services (ESS) group. In this insightful conversation, Jim discusses his extensive career journey at Veolia, detailing how his roles in sales, operations, and strategic leadership have shaped the company’s sustainability vision and innovation strategy.Discover how Veolia’s ESS group is driving significant advancements in hazardous waste management, recycling solutions, and circular economy initiatives across North America. Jim shares insights into the upcoming launch of the groundbreaking Gum Springs facility, a cutting-edge project set to redefine sustainable waste management through innovative energy recovery and zero-discharge operations.This episode dives deep into key industry trends, including the challenges and strategies around managing PFAS, regulatory shifts, leveraging AI and data analytics for improved customer experience, and the critical role of mergers and acquisitions in expanding Veolia’s environmental capabilities.If you're interested in environmental sustainability, waste management innovations, or the future of the environmental services industry, don't miss this episode! Thanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ