EMRTAI: Advancing Technological Innovation and Supporting Informed Decision-Making in Critical Minerals Recovery from Mine Waste
Archived: Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Sponsored by: U.S. EPA Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains
The U.S. EPA Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains has launched a new initiative - the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI) - that is focused on innovative technologies to recover critical minerals from waste materials at Superfund legacy hard rock mine and mineral processing sites. The goal of EMRTAI, which is being developed to support stakeholders across the mining industry, is to generate credible data through a quality-driven technology assessment program to promote advancement of innovative technologies and informed decision-making. At present, there are nearly 100 mining or mine-related sites on EPA's Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), and many more sites throughout the U.S. in variable stages of remediation. EMRTAI will advance EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment by assisting technology developers and vendors with performance assessments that target site clean-up and critical minerals recovery technologies as part of sustainable materials management. Environmental justice is critical to the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers. EMRTAI will assist public entities such as non-profit organizations, Tribes, industries, businesses, states, individuals, and communities in making better informed decisions when selecting new or existing environmental technologies for use at contaminated sites. A stakeholder group to support EMRTAI will be forming in July 2024. Please join this webinar to learn more about EMRTAI and how to become involved.
John McKernan, Sc.D., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Capt. John McKernan, Sc.D., CIH is the Supervisor for the Contamination Analysis & Innovative Solutions Branch in the U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) in Cincinnati, OH. With over 25 years of experience, he integrates environmental health assessment and engineering solutions to manage environmental and human health hazards. Dr. McKernan has led national and international efforts in contaminated site characterization, assessment, and remediation, particularly focusing on mining and mineral processing sites. His current research interests include developing practical science and engineering solutions to mitigate metal contamination in various environmental media associated with mining and mineral processing.
Dr. Jana Heisler-White, Battelle (heislerwhite@battelle.org)
Dr. Jana Heisler-White is the Project Manager for EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI). Jana is a senior scientist with Battelle Memorial Institute, where she focuses on how climate change, environmental contaminants, and human activities affect environmental quality.
As an ecologist and biogeochemist, Jana has led research programs and supported commercial and federal clients on projects promoting sustainability, environmental remediation, and habitat restoration for more than two decades.
Ben Simes, U.S. EPA (Simes.Benjamin@epa.gov)
Paul Randall, U.S. EPA (Randall.Paul@epa.gov)
Moderator:
Michael Adam, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (adam.michael@epa.gov or 703-603-9915)
As a Triad advocate, Mike directed the final production of the Management and Interpretation of Data Under a Triad Approach. For the Technology Innovation Program (TIP), Mike serves as POC for various issues and initiatives such as Vapor Intrusion, Decision Support Tools, and the Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century initiative; and is part of the CLUIN management team. Mike has graduate degrees in Plant Physiology (2000, Iowa State) and Environmental Engineering (2003, Nebraska-Lincoln), and was a staff Research Assistant in Environmental Soil Science at Nebraska-Lincoln before joining the Technology Innovation Program at the EPA in late 2004.
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- These materials will be available by Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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