John Shea moderated the October 3, 2017 EBC Program Series with MassDEP Leadership: Commissioner Martin Suuberg and the Southeast Region Leadership. The Commissioner was frank and affable in his keynote remarks, sharing MassDEP’s noteworthy achievements, top priorities, and the challenges from recent retirements and federal budget cuts. Using “A Day in the Life” motif, the SERO leadership showcased the breadth, depth and volume of its work in numerous programs, amazing success stories, and ambitious projects on the horizon. A large audience of environmental professionals enjoyed insightful and sometimes humorous presentations from Regional Director (RD) Millie Garcia-Serrano, Deputy RD of Water Resources Dave Johnston, Deputy RD of Waste Site Cleanup Gerard Martin, Deputy RD of Air and Waste Maria Pinaud, and Deputy RD of Administration Jennifer Viveiros.
Tom Mackie moderated the September 19, 2017 EBC Solid Waste Management Program: Update from the MassDEP Regional Solid Waste Section Chiefs. A standing room only crowd heard about facility permitting, enforcement, changes and developments and top priorities from Greg Cooper, Division Director at the MassDEP Bureau of Air and Waste, and from the four regional Section Chiefs: Mark Fairbrother (NERO), James McQuade (CERO), Mark Dakers (SERO), and Daniel Hall (WERO). There was a lively Q&A session.
As a member of the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) Legislative Committee, John reviewed comments in opposition to a Rivers Alliance Petition to condition water withdrawal registrations (which MassDEP denied), to EPA on proposed aluminum limits in water treatment plant discharges in NPDES General Permits, and on proposed legislation for lead in school drinking water. He attended the Summer Expo at Wachusett Mountain.
Peter Durning, as co-chair of the Boston Bar Association Energy and Environmental Section, is overseeing the development of robust and interesting education programs for 2017-2018, including a presentation by former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
Tom undertook a family pilgrimage to ancestral lands in Ireland and Scotland. Peter enjoyed a family vacation in Seattle and on the shores of the frigid Pacific.
Tom, Peter, and Gail attended the Boston Bar Association Annual Meeting in October.
Alum Carson M. Shea, Esq. is a litigation associate at Cornell & Gollub, was sworn into the RI Bar, and co-authored an article in the Professional Liability Defense Quarterly (v. 9, #3).
The law firm enjoyed a summer celebration at Pier 6 in Charlestown arranged by Denise Green.