Professional Resumes

TIMOTHY R. MINNICH, QEP

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Mr. Minnich is a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist with nearly 30 years experience specializing in the design and implementation of air toxics investigations. He is a recognized expert in the application of optical remote sensing (ORS) to a wide range of air-related problems. In addition to having co-founded Minnich and Scotto, he has held significant positions with other organizations, including vice president of Blasland, Bouck & Lee and president of ETG Services.

EDUCATION

MS Meteorology, 1978, Rutgers University

BS Meteorology, 1975, Rutgers University

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Air & Waste Management Association American Meteorological Society

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Landmark Education, Curriculum for Living, 2006
Instructor for two A&WMA ORS courses, 1993-96
Qualified Environmental Professional, 1994
USEPA Air Pathway Analysis Workshop, 1989
40-Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Site Training, 1986
Superfund Field Training Certification, 1984

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPERIENCE

Past chairman of the A&WMA EO-3 Committee, Air Quality and Atmospheric Studies, to promote the application of appropriate dispersion meteorology principles, methods, and models to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of open-path ORS data.

Designed and managed more than 25 ORS field investigations since 1988. Lead author for preparation of USEPA’s draft document, “Field Standard Operating Procedure for Use of Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy at Hazardous Waste Sites.” Conceptualized and directed development of SPECTRAMET-1, a commercially available air dispersion model software package to predict downwind pollutant concentrations in the field based on ORS measurements and on-site meteorological data. Conceptualized development of PICMET-1 and PICMET-2, Minnich and Scotto’s proprietary data-management and reporting software for the continual, real-time assessment of Community exposure during the cleanup of former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites.

Project manager for the Gas Technology Institute’s (GTI’s) 2-year ORS methods-development initiative for perimeter air monitoring during the cleanup of former MGP sites. This project involves field testing of an open-path FTIR spectrometer, open-path UV spectrometer, and Minnich and Scotto’s proprietary data-management and reporting

software (PICMET-2), as well as the development of a standard operating procedure (SOP) in concert with the Project Evaluation Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the five funding utility companies, the law firm of Baker and McKenzie, the USEPA, the Illinois EPA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the New York State Department of Health.

Project manager for ongoing CEQR (City Environmental Quality Review) air quality analyses associated with the upgrade of two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) in New York City. For each facility, this work involves estimating pollutant emission rates from all process and building sources for subsequent use in dispersion modeling to assess compliance with air quality standards at offsite receptors. Hydrogen sulfide is the most problematic pollutant, as significant exceedances were shown, thus requiring emission controls to be included in the upgrade. We continue to work with engineers from Hazen and Sawyer, the City’s engineering consultant and our client, to identify the precise combination of controls for each source sub-area minimally necessary to achieve compliance. In this manner, huge cost savings will continue to be realized by avoiding the over-engineering of emission controls.

Project manager for all phases of the highly publicized radiological soil and indoor air investigation in residential Montclair/Glen Ridge/West Orange, New Jersey. More than 22,000 hours were spent by 30 field and support personnel involving: radon grab sampling in over 500 homes; gamma radiation exposure-rate assessment via downhole gamma logging and soil characterization; and installation, development, and quarterly monitoring of 16 groundwater wells. Soil volume estimates for removal were made based on a correlation model developed to estimate the relationship between radium-226 activities and corresponding depth-averaged gamma readings.

Project manager for a $300,000 air quality engineering assessment for a municipal solid waste incinerator in Rutland, Vermont. The project involved detailed engineering studies in support of the Clean Air Act and Vermont’s Hazardous Most Stringent Emission Rate (HMSER) regulation, and included a comprehensive assessment of ambient air quality involving dispersion modeling in complex terrain. Work included negotiations with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and participation at numerous Agency meetings.

Designed and managed a 2-year intensive air quality investigation for 17 VOCs in a residential area downwind of the Lipari Landfill site, formerly No. 1 on USEPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) for cleanup. This is considered to be the most extensive air quality investigation conducted anywhere in the US under Superfund. USEPA’s TAGA6000E (Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer) was used to conduct continuous road segment, backyard, and neighborhood monitoring. Results were used in an air dispersion model to estimate residential air toxics exposure.

Project manager for design of a remedial investigation / feasibility study (RI/FS) for a New Jersey site characterized by widespread dioxin and high levels of pesticides in the soil, and which included buried World War II munitions.

Principal investigator for a 2-year regional acid rain study in and around the New York metropolitan area, and coinvestigator in the 1978 USEPA Northeast Summer Oxidant Study to develop a layered urban ozone model. Coinvestigator in a sulfate/visibility study to characterize long-range pollutant transport, and a co-investigator in a joint project with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to assess the diurnal nature and transport of ozone and reactive hydrocarbons at various heights in New York City. Coordinated 24-hour field response team for odor complaints in New York/New Jersey/Connecticut. Participated in 1976 Great Lakes Summer Research Project to test the photostationary state theory for ozone. Designed and directed development of a computer-based graphics system for hazardous chemical emergency spill response and contingency planning.

Managed or reviewed and approved more than 200 preliminary assessments (PAs) and site inspections (SIs), and numerous special studies or enforcement-support studies, for the USEPA Region 2 Superfund program.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Innovative Air Monitoring for Mitigating Litigation and Minimizing Risk During MGP Site Remediations: Status of an ORS Methods-Development Initiative. Takach, Stephen F.; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of Electric Power Research Institute MGP 2007 Symposium, Atlanta, GA, January 2007.

Status of ORS-Based Perimeter Air Monitoring Initiatives During the Cleanup of Former MGP Sites. Takach, Stephen F.; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 99th Annual Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA, June 2006.

An ORS-Based, Mass-Balance Method for Estimating Air Emissions from AFO Area Sources. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of the A&WMA/WEF Animal Agricultural Specialty Conference, St. Louis, MO, September 2005.

ORS-Based Air Monitoring During an MGP Site Cleanup: A Case Study. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 98th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN, June 2005.

Cleanup of Former MGP Sites: Community Exposure, Responsible Party Liability, and Optical Remote Sensing. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 97th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Indianapolis, IN, June 2004.

Identification of Odor-Control Needs for a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade: A New York City Success Story. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of WEF/A&WMA Odors and Air Emissions Specialty Conference, Bellevue, WA, April 2004.

Use of Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy to Support Development of Refined Estimates of H S Emissions from a New City Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Minnich, Timothy R. et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 95th Annual Conference and Exhibition , Baltimore, MD, June 2002.

Use of Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy to Address Air Monitoring Needs During Site Remediations. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. pp. 79-92 of Remediation Journal (invited article), Summer 1999, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

CAA and Open-Path Spectroscopy. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. pp. 14-16 of Environmental Testing & Analysis (invited article), Volume 5, Number 4, May 1996.

Use of Optical Remote Sensing and Flux Chamber Technologies for Determining Emission Rates from a Pulp Mill Wastewater Treatment Facility. Schmidt, Charles E.; Barton, Douglas A.; Hasegawa, Mark; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 87th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH, June 1994.

The Role of Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy in the Development of a Successful Accidental Release Detection Program. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA/CMA International Symposium on Optical Sensing for Environmental Monitoring, Atlanta, GA, October 1993.

Remote Sensing of VOCs: A Methodology for Evaluating Air Quality Impacts During Remediation of Hazardous Waste Sites. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. pp. 247-255 of Sampling and Analysis of Airborne Pollutants, Winegar,

E.D. and Keith, L.H., editors, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL, 1993.

Air Monitoring During Site Remediations Using Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of HMC/Superfund Conference and Exhibition, Washington, D.C., December 1992.

A Practical Methodology Using Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy to Generate Gaseous Fugitive-Source Emission Factors at Industrial Facilities. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA/CMA Symposium on Optical Remote Sensing and Applications to Environmental and Industrial Safety Problems, Houston, TX, April 1992.

Measurement of Methane Emissions in the Plume of a Large Coal Strip Mine Using Long-Path Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Piccot, Stephen; Chadha, Ajay; Kirchgessner, David; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 84th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C., June 1991.

A Software Package for Assessing Downwind Air Quality Impact in Real-Time Based on Open-Path FTIR Measurement Data. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of USEPA/A&WMA International Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants, Durham, NC, May 1991.

Determination of Site-Specific Dispersion Coefficients in Support of Air Monitoring at Lipari Landfill. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. ProceedingsofUSEPA/ A&WMA International Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants, Durham, NC, May 1991.

Interpretation of ppm-meter Data from Long-Path Optical Monitoring Systems as Used at Superfund Hazardous Waste Sites. Pritchett, Thomas H; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of Second International Symposium on Field Screening Methods for Hazardous Wastes and Toxic Chemicals, Las Vegas, NV, February 1991.

Special Report: Air Monitoring - Optical Remote Sensing Ready to Tackle Superfund, RCRA Emissions Monitoring Tasks. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. HAZMAT WORLD, May 1990.

Remote Optical Sensing of VOCs: Application to Superfund Activities. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of USEPA/A&WMA International Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants, Raleigh, NC, May 1990.

Air Toxics Monitoring: A Comparison Between Remote Sensing and Point Monitoring Techniques. Bath, Raymond J.; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of American Chemical Society National Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, September 1989.

Remote Sensing of Air Toxics for Pre-Remedial Hazardous Waste Site Investigations. Minnich, Timothy R., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 82nd Annual Conference and Exhibition , Anaheim, CA, June 1989.

The Pre-Remedial Air Toxics Program: A Case Study Using Remote Sensing. Grupp, David; Rojek, Gary; Bath, Raymond J.; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Proceedings of USEPA/A&WMA International Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants, Raleigh, NC, May 1989.

The Distribution and Transport of Sulfate “Species” in the New York Metropolitan Area During the 1977 Summer Aerosol Study. Lioy, Paul J.; Samson, Perry J.; Tanner, Roger L.; Leaderer, Brian P.; Minnich, Timothy R.; et al. Atmospheric Environment, 14, 1980, pp. 1391-1407.

ROBERT L. SCOTTO

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Mr. Scotto is a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist with nearly 30 years experience in the design, management, and execution of a variety of air quality investigations. He is a specialist in Clean Air Act permitting, and is expert in a broad range of CERCLA-related QA/QC issues. Mr. Scotto is highly skilled air dispersion modeler, and has extensive experience in customization and validation of AERMOD – USEPA’s most recent guideline air dispersion model. In addition to having co-founded Minnich and Scotto, he has held significant positions with other organizations, including vice president of ETG Services and zone-wide QA manager for NUS Corporation, USEPA's Field Investigation Team (FIT) contractor. In this latter capacity, Mr. Scotto was responsible for QA program implementation in all four USEPA Zone I FIT offices (Regions 1 through 4). The total value of that contract was $300 million.

EDUCATION

MS Meteorology, 1978, Rutgers University BS Meteorology, 1975, Rutgers University

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Air & Waste Management Association
American Meteorological Society

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

USEPA Air Pathway Analysis Workshop, 1989
USEPA HRS-2 Superfund Workshop, 1989
AMA Project Management Workshop, 1985
40-Hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Site Training, 1985
Superfund Field Training Certification, 1984

EXPERIENCE

Managed comprehensive H2S emissions-measurement programs to support CEQR air quality analyses for the upgrade of two municipal water pollution control plants in New York City. For each facility, this involved coordination and oversight of subcontractors for meteorological system installation and open-path FTIR spectrometer operations in support of program execution. Jerome meters were used for the collection of approximately 3,000 individual samples at each facility to support emission-rate estimation. Also performed dispersion modeling to assess compliance with air quality standards at offsite receptors. To date, these projects represent the only two facility upgrade CEQR air quality analyses which the NYCDEP, Bureau of Environmental Planning and Assessment (BEPA) has fully accepted.

Managed development of PICMET-1 and PICMET-2, Minnich and Scotto’s proprietary data-management and reporting software for the continual, real-time assessment of Community exposure during the cleanup of former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites.

Project manager for all perimeter air monitoring during the cleanup of a former Atmos Energy Corporation MGP site in Bristol, Tennessee. This involved the use of open-path FTIR spectroscopy, together with the development and application of PICMET-1.

Managed turnkey air permitting projects in support of several cogeneration projects. A major accomplishment involved completion of a $1.1 million “benchmark” air permitting study in support of a gas-fired cogeneration plant in Brooklyn, New York. Work entailed addressing the requirements of the Clean Air Act (as amended in 1990) and applicable New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) air pollution control regulations. Procurement of PSD (prevention of significant deterioration) and NAA (nonattainment area) permits were required pursuant to the applicability of USEPA New Source Review (NSR) regulations. This involved detailed BACT (best available control technology) and LAER (lowest achievable emission rate) reviews, and assessment and subsequent procurement of required emissions offsets. Other cogeneration projects involved preparation, submittal, and procurement of RACT (reasonably available control technologies) noncompliance plans for existing sources, and ensuring their subsequent implementation pursuant to CAA Title I regulations as implemented by the NYSDEC.

Provided periodic consulting support to Sadat Associates, Inc. concerning the cleanup of a contaminated elementary-school construction site in Trenton, New Jersey. This included reconstructive air dispersion modeling to demonstrate insignificant past Community exposure, as well as air monitoring consulting support.

Managed a model validation study involving use of open-path FTIR spectroscopy for a confidential client in Texas in support of a litigation case. A tracer gas was used to simulate normal facility operations, and downwind path-integrated monitoring results were compared to path-integrated concentrations as predicted by the ISCST Model.

Managed a $1 million special field study for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company Avon Lake Power Plant to investigate the impact of the Avon Lake upon dispersion of air pollutants from the facility in support of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision to allow use of higher sulfur-content coal. The project involved use of LIDAR for in situ air dispersion coefficient determination to develop a less-conservative site-specific air quality model which was approved for use by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

Managed a $250,000 air quality modeling study for Central Illinois Light Company (CILCO) to determine the extent to which the SO2 emission standards for the Edwards Station could be revised upwards, and still ensure attainment of all National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and PSD increments. All sources (33 stacks) in the Peoria area were modeled at each of 398 prediction locations based on 5 years of meteorological data. Results of this study allowed CILCO burn the higher sulfur-content coal, and led to a cost savings of more than $1 million per year.

Managed all air investigation activities in support of site-wide remedial activities at an industrial facility in New Jersey. Work included a baseline air monitoring program to estimate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from an on-site wastewater lagoon, comprehensive assessment of contaminant migration via the air pathway from more than 10 on-site sources in support of a baseline endangerment assessment, and preparation of all necessary NJDEP air permit applications for pilot- and full-scale waste solidification equipment.

Re-wrote the corporate Quality Assurance Manual for NUS Corporation’s Waste Management Division and Superfund Division, and developed and implemented a comprehensive QA/management training program for staff. Provided management and training to project managers to ensure all work was performed using a planned, systematic approach in conformance with applicable guidelines and procedures. Also, developed and implemented procedures for monitoring project activities to verify compliance with QA and contractual requirements and to assess QA program effectiveness. Conditions adverse to quality were routinely evaluated to ensure the effectiveness of corrective actions, and to ensure that appropriate measures were taken to preclude recurrence.

Developed USEPA Region 2 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the design and execution of air monitoring studies using open-path FTIR and UV techniques.

Conducted meteorological tower siting study in support of emergency preparedness plan development for a nuclear power plant located in complex terrain in western Pennsylvania.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Perimeter Air Monitoring for Litigation Avoidance During the Cleanup of Former MGP Sites. Schulz, Stuart P.; Scotto, Robert L.; et al. (unpublished manuscript)

Air Pathway Analysis Using Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy at a Repository for the Disposal of Salt Cake Fines. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 86th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Denver, CO, June 1993.

VOC Emission Rate Determinations Using Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy During Pilot-Scale Site Disturbance and Remediation Activities: A Case Study Using the Ratio Technique. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 85th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Kansas City, MO, June 1992.

Air Pathway Analyses Using Open-Path FTIR Spectroscopy During Waste Removal and Solidification Activities at a Large Industrial Lagoon. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 85th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Kansas City, MO, June 1992.

Validation of a Gaussian Plume Dispersion Model Based on Data from the Kansas Open-Path FTIR Intercomparison Study. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 85th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Kansas City, MO, June 1992.

Air Pathway Monitoring for a Land Ban No-Migration Petition. Lupo, Mark J.; Magnuson, Charles E.; Scotto, Robert L.; et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 84th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C., June 1991.

A Method for Estimating VOC Emission Rates from Homogeneous and Non-Homogeneous Area Sources Using Remote Sensing. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of USEPA/A&WMA International Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants, Durham, NC, May 1991.

Emissions Estimation and Dispersion Analysis Using Path-Integrated Air Measurement Data from Hazardous Waste Sites. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 83rd Annual Conference and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA, June 1990.

Remote Sensing Data Quality Objectives and Quality Assurance for a Pre-Remedial Hazardous Waste Site Program. Scotto, Robert L., et al. Proceedings of A&WMA 82nd Annual Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, CA, June 1989.