News & Blog

Assessment Funding available through LSSI

The Low-Scored Site Initiative (LSSI) provides up to $30,000 of assessment funding to assess low scored sites that are eligible for the petroleum cleanup program. The purpose is to sample sites that have not had State-funded work in many years to determine if the contamination file can be closed. Most low scored sites have not… Read More...

Increased Options for Underground Storage Tank Closures

By Steve Hilfiker In 2012, the FDEP has emphasized their desire to help facilitate the closure of regulatory files on impacted sites.  This is a great opportunity for many impacted property owners, lenders and prospective purchasers.  The focus on regulatory closure will open opportunities for redevelopment, and enable more cost-effective solutions for parties responsible for… Read More...

Petroleum Cleanup Program Bill is now Law

By Steve Hilfiker Petroleum Cleanup Program After unanimous approval through both houses last spring, a veto in the summer, and an override in the fall, House Bill 1385 has made it to law. The Florida Legislature voted to override the Governor’s veto of the bill in a Special Session on November 16, 2010. The law… Read More...

Lender Defenses, Tenant Operations, and Transfers to Third Parties

Florida Statutes (FS) Section 376.308 pertains to the liabilities and defenses of facilities at contaminated sites. This article emphasizes lender defenses as outlined in paragraph 3 of the statute. The language in 376.308(3) is similar to the federal language in the 1996 Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit Insurance Protection Act and is designed to… Read More...

Steve Hilfiker Named Chairperson of the ASTM Subcommittee to Help Design ASTM Standards

Steve Hilfiker was elected chairperson of the newly formed ASTM subcommittee for Forensic Environmental Investigations.  The committee is designated E50.06 and was organized to define the ASTM standards for forensic environmental investigations.  Anyone with an interest in contributing to this process is encouraged to contact Steve via email at steve@ermi.net. Title: Subcommittee on Forensic Environmental… Read More...

New Subcommittee on Forensic Environmental Investigations

The origin of recently established ASTM Subcommittee E50.06 on Forensic Environmental Investigations, part of Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action, is based in Daubert challenges, in which attorneys challenge their opponent’s expert witnesses. In many cases, experts are competent and their scientific methods credible, but due to the lack of professional… Read More...

Forensic Tools Featuring Deconvolution Of Complicated Mass Spectra

Co-Authors: Stephen Hilfiker, MS, CFEA, REPA and Albert Robbat, PhD, MBA Effective Forensic Tools Effective forensic project management should include an evaluation of multiple forensic tools based on site-specific circumstances.  The process of evaluation and the ultimate selection of the forensic tool are critical to a successful outcome.  When project budgets allow, combining forensic methods… Read More...

Environmental Business Opportunities

Prepared By: Stephen F. Hilfiker, President Environmental Risk Management Trends in recent environmental regulation, public perception of contamination, and local government interest in redevelopment provide favorable market conditions for redevelopment of contaminated property. There are approximately 30,000 properties in Florida that have reported contamination to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). An additional, larger… Read More...