Waste Site Program
GEC is skilled at addressing Oil and Hazardous Material Releases at state-listed Waste Sites. We conduct investigations and assessments to identify, characterize, and, if necessary, remediate releases of oil, and/or hazardous material (OHM). GEC’s Licensed Site Professionals follow state and federal regulations, using innovative and creative remedial techniques, combined with expert risk assessment. We also complete the response actions required for both simple and complex OHM releases, and have emergency response experience.
GEC has extensive experience working alongside developers interested in revitalizing brownfield sites. We conduct site investigations, evaluate the nature and extent of historic releases of OHM, and develop strategies for managing remediation waste and historic fill while optimizing the full use of the property.
GEC specializes in risk-based cleanup focused on mitigating those contamination problems that pose the greatest risk to public health, safety, welfare or the environment. Regardless of the size or complexity of the contamination problem, GEC develops a cost-effective and innovative approach to investigations and remediation while keeping an eye towards the possible outcomes of the investigation, regulatory implications, current and potential future site use, and the clients’ resources.
Oil and Hazardous Materials Release Response
GEC conducts investigations and assessments to identify, characterize, and, if necessary, remediate oil and/or hazardous material (OHM) contamination. Investigations and assessments are designed and implemented in accordance with state and federal regulations, policies, and MCP guidelines.
GEC completes a broad range of response and remediation actions required for OHM releases. Our innovative, cost-effective approach keeps in mind the possible outcomes of the investigation, regulatory implications, current and potential future site use, and client resources throughout the process.
GEC's oil and hazardous material services include:
- Underground storage tank (UST) assessment, closure, and remediation;
- Release or spill investigation and removal action;
- Imminent Hazard Evaluations;
- Determination of regulatory reporting requirements;
- Response to notices of enforcement by regulatory agencies;
- Phase I-Limited Site Investigations; site inspection; subsurface investigation; agency review to identify environmental resource areas, sensitive receptors, land use, site history, and evidence of OHM use, storage, and release;
- Phase II - Comprehensive Site Assessments; hydrogeological investigation, determining source, extent and magnitude of contamination, contaminant fate and transport modeling, risk characterization with respect to public health, welfare, safety, and the environment;
- Contaminant fate and transport modeling (air, soil, groundwater); and
- Remedial system design, installation, oversight, and operation and maintenance.
Site Remediation
GEC has extensive soil and groundwater remediation experience. Standard spill response and traditional remediation techniques, including contaminant excavation and removal, are used. Our team recognizes that remediation technology is in constant development and implements new technology when appropriate. GEC’s staff of professional engineers, geologists, toxicologists, and other scientists determine if remediation is necessary, and, if so, how much remediation is necessary. They then implement the most cost-effective way to remediate, tailored to the client’s planned future use of the property. GEC‘s capabilities include remedial system design, purchasing, installation oversight, operation, and maintenance.
Massachusetts Contingency Plan /Licensed Site Professional (MCP/LSP)
The Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) (310 CMR 40.0000) describes how environmental cleanup is conducted in Massachusetts. GEC has the staff necessary to complete your MCP project. Our Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs) were instrumental in the development of the original MCP, recent revisions, and the initial LSP program design in Massachusetts. GEC’s risk assessment capabilities are well respected as thorough, rigorous, and most importantly, defensible. We go to great length to assure that assessment and remediation are completed in accordance with current regulations, policies, and guidance for regulatory compliance while assuring clients’ interests are uncompromised.
MCP Response Actions
GEC maintains a thorough understanding of the MCP, which describes how environmental cleanup is to be conducted in Massachusetts, through a set of regulations that require: identification and notification of OHM releases; determining whether the release is subject to the provisions of the MCP; and establishing how releases should be investigated and remediated.
GEC’s LSPs are highly qualified to oversee MCP activities and provide waste site cleanup opinions. We provide all MCP services from Limited Removal Actions (LRA) through Permanent Solution Statements; Activity and Use Limitations; filing for Downgradient Status protection; Post-Closure Operations, Maintenance and/or Monitoring; and Public Involvement Activities. GEC specializes in risk-based cleanup, assuring that remediation is focused on addressing contamination that poses the greatest risk to public health, safety, welfare or the environment.
Brownfields
GEC knows brownfields and the opportunities and challenges they present. We conduct site assessments and remediation in support of brownfield acquisition and redevelopment for buyers, developers, lenders, and borrowers. Brownfield investigations range from assessments as part of corporate divestiture, to asset disposal and liability quantification; to remediation design and implementation; to risk characterization and site closure and redevelopment. GEC understands brownfield regulations and the unique challenges and opportunities that these properties represent. We work with our clients to transition contaminated properties so they can again be useful. We also evaluate whether brownfields tax credits are available and assist clients in maximizing their potential tax credit opportunities.
Litigation Support
GEC provides litigation and mediation support services throughout the Northeast. Services include trial preparation and mediation preparation assistance, expert witness testimony, deposition preparation, depositions, mediation testimony, and courtroom testimony. GEC’s senior staff, including our Licensed Site Professionals, Professional Engineers, Risk Assessors, and Certified Hazardous Materials Managers, uses their collective experience to assist clients in negotiations, investigations, and cost recovery to support plaintiffs or defendants in environmental litigation.
Risk Assessment
GEC conducts risk assessments and risk characterizations to support a range of environmental regulatory programs. Risk assessment is used to support brownfield redevelopment, regulatory negotiations, purchase and sale decisions, and other business decisions. The complexity of GEC’s risk assessments range from simple screening level comparisons, to chemical-based numerical standards, to complex, site-specific human health risk assessments considering a wide range of oils and hazardous materials (OHM), environmental media, and human and environmental receptors. Our risk assessment services include site-specific risk characterizations for hazardous waste sites, Imminent Hazard Evaluations, Substantial Hazard Evaluations, indoor air risk assessments, risk assessments in accordance with CERCLIS / SARA and various state programs, Level I Environmental Screening and Level II Environmental Risk Assessment, and Ecological Risk Assessments
Related Projects
Brownfields
GEC knows brownfields and the opportunities and challenges they present. We conduct site assessments and remediation in support of brownfield acquisition and redevelopment for buyers, developers, lenders, and borrowers. Brownfield investigations range from assessments as part of corporate divestiture, to asset disposal and liability quantification; to remediation design and implementation; to risk characterization and site closure and redevelopment. GEC understands brownfield regulations and the unique challenges and opportunities that these properties represent. We work with our clients to transition contaminated properties so they can again be useful. We also evaluate whether brownfields tax credits are available and assist clients in maximizing their potential tax credit opportunities