Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN)

Seminar: FRTR Spring 2026 General Meeting: Characterizing Groundwater/Surface Water Interfaces for Effective Site Remediation Decisions and Contaminant Cleanup (Session 1), May 20, 2026

Thu, 2 Apr 2026 13:51:38 GMT

The FRTR 2026 Spring General Meeting, conducted as two web-based virtual sessions, provides an opportunity to share best technical practices and results of recent technical advances in understanding and characterizing contaminant fate and migration across the GSI. The first virtual session explores current scientific understanding of key hydrological and biogeochemical processes affecting contaminant distribution and transport across a GSI. This session also explores available methods and tools for characterizing contaminant migration across a GSI. The second virtual session provides an overview of recent advances in development of innovative technologies for GSI characterization. The session ends with a discussion of needs for further technological development.

Seminar: FRTR Spring 2026 General Meeting: Characterizing Groundwater/Surface Water Interfaces for Effective Site Remediation Decisions and Contaminant Cleanup (Session 2), May 21, 2026

Thu, 2 Apr 2026 13:51:38 GMT

Courses and Conferences Section Update for April 2, 2026

Thu, 2 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on April 2, 2026. There are 2 new entries, for a total of 9 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

Federal Contract Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Update for March 23-29

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The latest Federal Contract Opportunities update has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. It contains summaries of procurement and contract award notices issued between March 23-29 that pertain to hazardous waste, solid waste, underground storage tank remediation, and other environmental topics.

Technology Innovation News Survey for February 1-15, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The February 1-15, 2026 Technology Innovation News Survey has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. The Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development.

Seminar: "ITRC PFAS & Biosolids: Sources, Occurrence, Transport, and Treatment" from February 26, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Tue, 3 Mar 2026 20:21:00 GMT

This ITRC training will provide information on the current understanding of PFAS and biosolids, focusing on land application. It builds on the earlier topics covered in the PFAS 101 training.

This training will provide information on potential sources of PFAS in biosolids, the implications of PFAS associated with land-applied biosolids, including leaching and associated risks, and a conceptual site model. It will also cover the nature and extent of PFAS, field and laboratory considerations when assessing land application sites, factors controlling PFAS mobility, PFAS treatment options for biosolids, and PFAS uptake by plants and animals in these settings, along with approaches to modeling that uptake.

Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are available in the ITRC PFAS-1 guidance document, specifically in Sections 1.7, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17.3, as well as in the Regulatory Programs Table.
Key topics will include:

Understanding the Sources and Types of PFAS
Considerations for Evaluating Nature & Extent of PFAS Contamination at Land Application Sites
Evaluating Fate and Transport of PFAS in the Environment from Land-Applied Biosolids
Evaluating and Modeling Risk from PFAS in Agricultural Settings
Evaluating Treatment and Management Options for PFAS in Biosolids

CLU-IN Spotlight: Brownfields 2027 Call for Ideas

Mon, 2 Mar 2026 18:22:20 GMT

The 2027 National Brownfields Training Conference Call for Ideas is open through May 31, 2026. Submit your ideas for dynamic educational sessions that explore the latest and greatest tools, methods, trends and case studies in brownfields redevelopment and revitalization. The Conference Topic Areas (Tracks) are: Brownfields Financing, Healthy and Resilient Redevelopment, Future Economic Trends and Transformation, Community Involvement and Public Participation, Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Approaches, and Tribal Brownfield Programs.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for March 2, 2026

Mon, 2 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on March 2, 2026. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 9 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

RemTech Europe 2026, Sep 14 - 18, 2026, Ferrara, Italy

Seminar: ITRC ITRC: Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Identification Framework, May 7, 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:26:44 GMT

In 2023, the ITRC Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Framework was published to help environmental regulatory agencies and other stakeholders identify, evaluate, and manage CEC's while acknowledging uncertainties in their environmental fate and transport, receptor exposure, and/or toxicity. Such an approach can be conducive to improved allocation of regulatory response resources and provide a foundation for communicating potential risk to stakeholders.

The ITRC framework is comprised of a white paper and four associated fact sheets. In the white paper, CEC are defined as: "substances and microorganisms including physical, chemical, biological, or radiological materials known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified risks to human health or the environment." The framework is meant to help environmental regulatory agencies and other stakeholders by providing examples of CEC monitoring programs and guiding the user through the process of identifying CEC key characteristics, how to communicate real and perceived risk from CEC to the public, and how laboratory analytical methods can be used in the identification process.

The ITRC CEC training presents this entirely new framework for identification, prioritization, and communication of CEC. This course includes the following topics:

An overview of the framework, how and why it was developed, the factors that influence the creation of CEC management units at the state level, and a listing of existing CEC monitoring programs.
A discussion of key variables that may be used as criteria to identify and prioritize CEC for response actions. This portion of the course includes a case study that illustrates how the identification and prioritization process works with an "unknown" chemical CEC.
Practices and methods for stakeholder messaging and how to share incomplete information on CEC that could impact human health and the environment. This portion of the short course builds upon the ITRC Risk Communication Toolkit by providing additional detail addresses communications plans, message maps, and audience identification.
A paradigm for how laboratory methods can be used to identify CEC ranging from:
- "Is compound X in the sample and at what concentration?" (i.e., known knowns) to
- "Which compounds from the list are in this sample?" (i.e., known unknowns) to
- "What is in the sample?" (i.e., unknown unknowns).

CEC are typically compounds or substances whose occurrence or effect is unknown but may or may not be understood through similar compounds or substances. This module includes a discussion of the use of targeted and untargeted analysis to identify a CEC.

Participants will learn the elements of the CEC framework and gain an understanding of the framework application from case studies. Participants are encouraged to review the ITRC CEC Framework prior to the class.

Seminar: ITRC ITRC: Introduction to Hydrocarbons, May 19, 2026

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 18:59:20 GMT

Petroleum is a complex mixture of many compounds. Regulatory and technical guidance documents commonly focus on the hydrocarbon components of that mixture, or perceived risks that they present. However, focusing on a specific area of concern often causes practitioners to overlook other aspects of a release. For example, concerns related to exposure to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) risks may be overlooked while pursuing concerns related to light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) recovery or petroleum vapor intrusion (PVI).

This class is designed to provide a basic overview of hydrocarbon behavior in the subsurface and how to scientifically assess concerns arising from the release of petroleum products into the environment. It will highlight key issues that help identify and manage TPH, LNAPL, and PVI risks together. Key concepts will include:

Fundamentals of petroleum hydrocarbons

Petroleum chemistry
How TPH, LNAPL, and PVI are related

Building an integrated conceptual site model (CSM)

What is a CSM…what is its purpose?
When is a CSM complete?

Identifying and managing the risks from petroleum hydrocarbons

Defining LNAPL risks based on acute, saturation, composition, or aesthetic concerns
Emphasize the importance of biodegradation in risk management decision making
How to select remedial goals and remedies that align with your goals

This course is based upon three separate Guidance Documents developed by ITRC that address the course content in detail:

Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL), LNAPL Site Management: LCSM Evolution, Decision Process, and Remedial Technologies (LNAPL-3)
Petroleum Vapor Intrusion (PVI), Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management (PVI-1)
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), TPH Risk Evaluation at Petroleum-Contaminated Sites (TPHRisk-1)

Seminar: ITRC ITRC: PFAS Chemistry Explained, June 9, 2026

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 19:09:53 GMT

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) is presenting a training on the basics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemistry. This training supplements the ITRC PFAS Introductory training and ITRC Beyond the Basics Training sessions. You can find ITRC PFAS training resources online at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/pfas-training/.

PFAS are an emerging group of contaminants that present unique challenges in many areas including: widespread use and presence in the environment, sampling and analysis, fate and transport, and remedial approaches. This training session will provide PFAS practitioners with an understanding of the unique aspects of PFAS chemistry that guide fate and transport, treatment, regulations, and decision-making on PFAS sites.
Key focus areas of the training include the following:

Why are PFAS different from other organic chemicals?
How are PFAS defined?
How are PFAS manufactured and why does that matter?
What are the differences between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances?
What are the naming conventions used for the different types of PFAS?
How are short-chain and long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) defined?
What are precursors and why are they important?
What are some of the unique chemical properties of PFAS and why do they matter?

Resources and further details included in this training are in the ITRC Guidance Document (PFAS-1).

Courses and Conferences Section Update for February 3, 2026

Tue, 3 Feb 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on February 3, 2026. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 9 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

2026 ITRC Annual Meeting, Apr 20 - 22, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT

CLU-IN Spotlight: Reuse Considerations for Potential Data Centers at Superfund and Brownfields Properties

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:46:29 GMT

The Superfund Redevelopment Program, and the Brownfields Program, have assembled information, tools and resources to help interested parties assess the viability of Superfund and Brownfield properties as possible locations for data centers in response to the Executive Order on Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure. Superfund and Brownfield sites often already have infrastructure and industrial zoning that can make building data centers appealing. EPA�s new information clarifies important factors for interested parties to consider when planning AI data centers at Superfund and Brownfield sites, including compatibility with site conditions and cleanup, legal responsibilities, community input, and access to infrastructure. Along with existing guidance for redevelopment and land revitalization, this information can help speed up the process of returning contaminated sites to productive use and help stakeholders assess the viability of data centers as an option for reuse.

CLU-IN Spotlight: Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) FY 2027 Solicitation

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:55:45 GMT

The Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) released a solicitation on January 8, 2026, requesting proposals that address energy security, infrastructure resilience, and sustainment challenges. The due date for all pre-proposals is March 12, 2026.

Publication: In Situ Chemical Oxidation

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 22:56:49 GMT

The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council's ISCO team is no longer active, but guidance documents can be accessed at this link.

Seminar: Federal Facilities Academy: Community Involvement at Federal Facilities, April 22, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:07:56 GMT

Community Involvement at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that focuses on community involvement requirements, resources, and techniques available for Federal Facilities being cleaned up at National Priorities List (NPL) sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Learn about community involvement requirements under CERCLA;
Understand the roles of the lead federal agency and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in public involvement at Federal Facilities;
Discover resources and tools available for community involvement activities;
Explore community involvement techniques and approaches that can be used at Superfund sites; and,
Identify community involvement opportunities throughout the Superfund process at Federal Facilities.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and group discussions. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the CERCLA process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Federal Facility Five-Year Review, May 13, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:08:24 GMT

Federal Facility Five-Year Review Webinar is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) five-year reviews. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Understand Five-Year Review purpose and regulatory context
Learn how to prepare and conduct a five-year review
Identify the information and data needed to support a protectiveness statement
Address emerging contaminants and options available to ensure that the federal agencies address these contaminants
Identify the different scenarios when EPA makes an independent finding of the protectiveness of the remedy
Learn about similarities and differences between federal and private site five-year reviews

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and quizzes. There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. The target audience for this course are federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding the CERCLA process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Resolving Issues before Formal Dispute, June 10, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:08:56 GMT

Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute is a two-hour webinar course that identifies less formal options to address conflict before going to dispute under a federal facility agreement. This webinar provides project management tips and techniques to address disagreements early in the process . By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Identify factors that contribute to conflict when working with team members from different agencies;
Learn how to prepare a team to handle conflict;
Explore tips and techniques to improve communication and come to resolution; and,
Understand when formal dispute should be considered.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Academy: Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations, July 22, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:09:29 GMT

Determining Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of land use determinations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Reasonably anticipated future land use at CERCLA sites is important in determining the appropriate extent of remediation. Onsite and offsite determinations impact the need for permits and offsite transfer of CERCLA wastes. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Identify factors that influence land use determinations under CERCLA;
Explore Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance and policy related to land use determinations;
Learn about onsite permit requirements and exemptions at Federal Facilities; and,
Understand off-site determinations and the Off-Site Rule and how these differ from on-site determinations.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and group discussion. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of land use and the CERCLA process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Groundwater Policy Overview, August 26, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:10:15 GMT

Groundwater Policy and Federal Facilities Overview is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) groundwater policies and guidance with emphasis on cleanups at federal facilities. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Identify EPA groundwater policies;
Understand groundwater classification and beneficial use in restoration objectives;
Understand nature and extent considerations from groundwater contaminant plumes;
Explore applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) commonly associated with groundwater remedies;
Identify groundwater considerations for monitored natural attenuation (MNA), institutional controls, and technical impracticability waivers; and,
Discover information on major groundwater policies from other federal agencies, such as Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE).

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: RCRA/CERCLA Integration, September 23, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:10:43 GMT

RCRA and CERCLA Integration at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that will provide an overview of how the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) can be integrated at Federal Facilities through use of Federal Facility Agreements, regulator coordination, and lead regulator approach. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Learn about Federal Facility Agreements and how they identify RCRA and CERCLA roles and responsibilities;
Explore relevant memos and policies addressing RCRA and CERCLA coordination; and,
Become familiar with some RCRA policies that apply to CERCLA wastes.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of RCRA and CERCLA. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Role of Superfund Performance Measures, October 28, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:11:13 GMT

Role of Superfund Performance Measures is a two-hour webinar course that will identify the role of performance measures, including environmental indicators, how to justify their status, and how to achieve an under-control status at Superfund sites. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Discover the origin and role of Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Measures;
Explore the different types of internal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) planning targets reported through the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMs) database; and,
Learn about Environmental Indicators for Human Exposure and Groundwater Migration and how they are determined.

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussion, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities, November 18, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:11:48 GMT

Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that will provide an overview of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy on consultation and coordination with Indian Tribes at federal facilities. This webinar will also provide tips on how to work more collaboratively during this process. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Identify EPA processes and policies for interacting with the Tribes;
Understand the roles of EPA and tribal governments in Federal Facility clean ups;
Learn about the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO); and,
Discover EPA resources and tools available to assist Federal Facilities in building partnerships with the Tribes;

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, and case studies. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Seminar: Federal Facilities Online Academy: Determining Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) in RODs, December 2, 2026

Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:12:14 GMT

Determining ARARs at Federal Facility Sites is a two-hour webinar course that will highlight how to determine Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) in decision-documents based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, identify commonly used ARARs, and when to involve partners. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Understand the general procedures for ARAR identification, analysis, and documentation;
Learn about ARARs under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 121(d) and associated EPA guidance;
Identify the three types of ARARs and how they are determined; and,
Explore CERCLA ARAR waiver criteria and the six waivers identified under CERCLA 121(d).

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of ARARs and the CERCLA process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).