Veteran environmental attorney Phil Comella joins host Sean Grady on the Environmental Transformation Podcast to break down the EPA’s proposed rollback of PFAS drinking water regulations. With over 40 years of experience, Comella offers expert legal insight on how the delayed compliance deadlines, potential MCL reductions, and CERCLA implications could affect municipalities, water utilities, waste management companies, and communities already exposed to PFAS. The conversation covers legal risks, scientific uncertainty, and the regulatory gaps that complicate cleanup and accountability.

Thanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

📍 Chapters:0:00 – Introduction and Phil Comella’s background2:42 – What the EPA’s PFAS proposal actually means6:30 – Delays, politics, and public health impact10:10 – Why the proposed changes matter for communities14:50 – Legal risk for utilities, ratepayers, and manufacturers19:25 – Superfund and the challenge of hazardous substance listings24:40 – The case for a dedicated PFAS statute28:35 – Wastewater treatment, landfills, and managing leachate33:45 – PFAS in household products and regulatory blind spots38:50 – Exposure, science, and tort law consequences44:25 – Thoughts on the path forward for EPA regulation50:00 – Dark Waters, science-based policy, and legal legacy🧪 Get expert legal context on one of today’s most pressing environmental health challenges.

Emily Donovan of Clean Cape Fear returns to the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss the EPA’s proposed rollback of the PFAS drinking water rules and how it potentially could impact contaminated communities like hers in North Carolina. Host Sean Grady explores the legal, regulatory, and public health stakes behind the EPA’s May 14 announcement, with Donovan providing on-the-ground insight into the movement to hold polluters accountable, protect public drinking water, and stop PFAS exposure.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

📍 Chapters:
0:00 - Intro and Emily Donovan returns
2:05 - Clean Cape Fear’s 8-year mission
6:40 - PFAS origins and EPA rule rollback
10:10 - Anti-backslide concerns and regulatory uncertainty
17:15 - Public health risks of short-chain PFAS
22:00 - Who pays for clean water? Utilities, polluters, or the public
27:50 - Legal action and transparency challenges
32:10 - National awareness and the role of media
38:45 - Partnerships with advocates like Mark Ruffalo and Keen
43:10 - Final thoughts: Doing what’s right for communities

🎧 Listen, learn, and join the “little army of goodness” working to end PFAS contamination.

Welcome to the Environmental Transformation Podcast with your host, Sean Grady. In this high-impact episode, we’re joined by Sam Goodman, also known as The HOP Nerd—a leading voice in Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), safety culture innovation, and host of The HOP Nerd Podcast.

🎙️ In This Episode:
Sam breaks down what HOP (Human and Organizational Performance) really means, why traditional safety programs often fall short, and how organizations can shift from blame-based models to system-level improvements that foster real operational learning, psychological safety, and frontline employee engagement.

🧠 Topics We Cover:

• What is Human and Organizational Performance (HOP)?

• How HOP differs from traditional safety programs

• The dangers of TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate) obsession

• Why blame, shame, and retrain doesn't work

• Moving from “who failed?” to “what failed?”

• How leadership response shapes safety culture

• Using comedy and storytelling to drive cultural change

• The origins and mission of The HOP Nerd

• Downloadable video resources for safety meetings

🔑 Key Takeaways for Safety Professionals & Leaders:

• Stop focusing on just injury metrics—start listening to workers.

• Safety isn’t the absence of incidents—it’s the presence of capacity to fail safely.

• Silence in an organization is dangerous—learn how to create environments where truth-telling is encouraged.

• Good safety culture starts with curious, calm leadership responses.

🔥 Whether you're in EHS leadership, a frontline worker, or just tired of meaningless checklists, this episode gives you the tools and mindset shift you need to create sustainable safety transformation.

📌 More from Sam Goodman — The HOP NERD:
🌐 https://www.thehopnerd.com
🎧 The HOP Nerd Podcast – Available on all major platforms
📺 Safety satire videos & learning tools: The HOP Nerd YouTube Channel

👷‍♂️ Who is Sam Goodman?
Sam is a HOP practitioner, speaker, consultant, and podcast host who brings humor, insight, and real-world experience to the conversation about modern safety systems. His work is deeply influenced by leaders like Todd Conklin and Sidney Dekker, but his approach is distinctly his own—bold, funny, and transformative.

🔎 SEO Keywords:
Human and Organizational Performance, HOP safety, Sam Goodman HOP NERD, modern safety leadership, safety culture podcast, TRIR criticism, safety differently, safety improvement strategies, frontline safety communication, operational learning, leadership response safety, psychological safety in the workplace, HOP tools, safety performance podcast, environmental transformation podcast

📣 Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help more safety and environmental professionals discover practical strategies that make a difference!

In this episode, host Sean Grady sits down with Jim Galligan, Senior Vice President at TerraTherm, to discuss advanced thermal remediation technologies. Jim, an industry veteran with over 34 years of expertise, dives deep into thermal conduction heating (TCH), electrical resistance heating (ERH), and steam-enhanced extraction (SEE)—powerful techniques used to remediate recalcitrant contaminants like PFAS, chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE), PCBs, dioxins, and petroleum hydrocarbons.Learn how thermal remediation effectively targets complex contaminant source zones, even beneath buildings or challenging infrastructure, and discover why depth and geology are no longer barriers. Jim dispels common myths about thermal technologies, addresses lifecycle costs compared to traditional methods like chemical oxidation, and explains critical factors such as power infrastructure and hydrogeological site characterization.Ideal for environmental consultants, remediation engineers, and project managers looking for proven strategies to achieve rapid and reliable cleanup goals. Join us as we uncover how TerraTherm is driving innovation in environmental remediation, offering sustainable solutions and unparalleled performance in treating soil and groundwater contamination.#EnvironmentalTransformation #ThermalRemediation #TerraTherm #SoilCleanup #GroundwaterRemediation #PFAS #environmentalengineering

00:00 – Introduction to the Environmental Transformation Podcast01:15 – Meet Jim Galligan: 34 Years in Thermal Remediation03:25 – Overview of TerraTherm and Its Mission06:40 – What Is Thermal Remediation? Key Technologies Explained10:55 – Thermal Conduction Heating (TCH) Deep Dive13:45 – Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) Explained16:05 – Steam-Enhanced Extraction (SEE) Use Cases18:10 – Ideal Site Conditions for Thermal Remediation22:30 – Treating Deep Contaminant Zones: Why “Deeper Is Cheaper”25:00 – Real-World Project Examples and Case Studies29:15 – Site Selection and Design Considerations33:45 – Comparing Lifecycle Costs of Thermal vs. Chemical Treatments37:20 – Power Infrastructure Needs and Utility Coordination41:50 – Debunking Common Myths About Thermal Remediation50:10 – Regulatory Cleanup Goals and Treatment Effectiveness54:20 – Remediation of PFAS, Dioxins, PCBs, and VOCs59:30 – Thermal’s Impact on Soil and Microbial Recovery1:03:00 – Thermally Enhanced Bioremediation and Future Innovations1:06:40 – How to Design an Effective Thermal Treatment System1:10:00 – How to Contact TerraTherm and Learn More

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady welcomes Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA). Hoffman shares his 37 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, discusses NWRA's advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels, and outlines his vision for improving safety, membership engagement, and industry innovation. He also explains the challenges surrounding packaging EPR, PFAS regulation, battery recycling, and workforce development. Learn how technology, policy, and collaboration are shaping the future of waste and recycling.

Thanks to our Sponsors for their support of the podcast: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WasteLinq.

Join host Sean Grady as he welcomes Jim Sullivan, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services (ESS) group. In this insightful conversation, Jim discusses his extensive career journey at Veolia, detailing how his roles in sales, operations, and strategic leadership have shaped the company’s sustainability vision and innovation strategy.

Discover how Veolia’s ESS group is driving significant advancements in hazardous waste management, recycling solutions, and circular economy initiatives across North America. Jim shares insights into the upcoming launch of the groundbreaking Gum Springs facility, a cutting-edge project set to redefine sustainable waste management through innovative energy recovery and zero-discharge operations.

This episode dives deep into key industry trends, including the challenges and strategies around managing PFAS, regulatory shifts, leveraging AI and data analytics for improved customer experience, and the critical role of mergers and acquisitions in expanding Veolia’s environmental capabilities.

If you're interested in environmental sustainability, waste management innovations, or the future of the environmental services industry, don't miss this episode!

Thanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

In this episode, Energy expert Robert Bryce breaks down the global energy crisis, the impact of rising electricity costs, and the realities of renewable energy. He explains why energy policies are hurting the working class, how wind and solar energy face major challenges, and why nuclear power could be a key solution. Bryce also discusses electric vehicles (EVs), the expansion of data centers, and the politics of energy regulations. Get the facts on energy affordability, infrastructure challenges, and the role of fossil fuels in the world’s energy future.🔔 Subscribe for more insights on energy, climate policy, and economic impacts!📌

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to Energy Policy Issues

1:30 - Rising Energy Costs and Their Impact on Businesses

3:10 - Why Energy Policy Matters to Everyday People

4:45 - Climate Policy vs. Energy Realism

6:20 - The Challenges of Renewable Energy (Wind & Solar)

8:55 - The Truth About Land Use Conflicts & Solar Rejections

10:30 - Data Centers and the Growing Energy Demand

12:15 - Supply Chain Issues and Infrastructure Delays

14:40 - How Energy Policies Are Shaping the Future

17:50 - Energy Costs: A Class Issue?

19:25 - Indiana’s Energy Future and Policy Shifts

20:30 - Pro-Nuclear Energy Policy and Its Challenges

22:10 - Gas Appliances, Regulations, and Political Shifts

23:45 - Energy Poverty: 47% of the World Lacks Reliable Energy

25:15 - The Human Cost of Energy Scarcity

28:00 - How Global Energy Policies Are Impacting Industry

31:15 - The Role of China, India & Global Coal Usage

32:50 - Why Nuclear Energy Is Stagnant in the U.S.

34:10 - Will the U.S. See a Surge in Solar and Battery Storage?

36:45 - The Political Roadblocks to Nuclear Energy Growth

38:10 - Hydrogen vs. Fossil Fuels: What's the Future?

39:45 - The Real Cost of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

42:35 - The Lithium Battery Problem & EV Production Emissions

44:10 - Industry Retreat from Net Zero Commitments

46:50 - Are Energy Policies Hurting the Middle Class?

48:20 - The Politics of Energy & Shifts in Voter Trends

50:00 - Balancing Clean Energy and Economic Growth

51:35 - The U.S. as a Natural Gas Superpower

54:15 - Final Thoughts: The Importance of Energy Realism💬

What do you think about current energy policies? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, an d CEO of Business with Impact. Jasper specializes in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate sustainability into their business models—profitably.

Learn how to make sustainability profitable with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, and CEO of Business with Impact. In this episode, we explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can integrate sustainability into business models while increasing profitability. Discover key strategies in the circular economy, how to overcome the misconception that sustainability is costly, and why business leaders must adapt to stay competitive. We also discuss climate change, risk management, and sustainable innovation in manufacturing and beyond. If you're interested in green business strategies, corporate sustainability, and reducing waste while maximizing impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

🔗 Learn more about Jasper Steinhausen and Business with Impact: https://bwimpact.com/

📖 Get a copy of Making Sustainability Profitable: [https://bwimpact.com/resources/book/

Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ

#Sustainability #CircularEconomy #SustainableBusiness #BusinessWithImpact #SMEs #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalTransformation #Profitability #GreenBusiness #SustainabilityLeadership