The Louisiana Section of the Air & Waste Management Association is now accepting abstracts for presentations at its 2024 Annual Conference. The conference will be held on October 29th and 30th at L’Auberge Hotel and Casino in Baton Rouge. Selected presentations will compliment presentations made by invited speakers. The deadline for abstracts is August 1, 2024.

The conference planning committee has several exciting sessions in development that are felt to be of interest to the regulated community. We invite you to submit an abstract on any topic within the session of your choosing below. Please keep in mind that the audience is generally composed of attorneys, regulators, environmental managers, and consultants.

Sessions and topics:

*EPA Updates – Potential session topics could include:

• New air regulations and policies
• Rescission of prior air regulations and policies
• New and proposed regulations relating to upstream oil and gas emission, methane rules
• New enforcement initiatives relating to air, such as the National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives and examples of enforcement actions / initiatives
• New air permitting guidance incorporating Biden Administration priorities, such as climate and environmental justice, and examples of the implementation of the new guidance
• Recent case law impacting or implementing the new regulations and/or policies
• Use of ‘citizen science’ and monitoring and how it may impact facility emissions

*LDEQ and or TCEQ Updates relating to air and waste

• PM 2.5

*Use of next gen monitoring/inspection tools

*PFAS – Potential session topics could include:

• A primer on PFAS, including chemistry, prior use, toxicology, fate and transport, and risk- / health- based exposure levels
• New and anticipated regulatory actions
• Site Investigation and remediation
• CERCLA Listing Impacts

*Inflation Reduction Act / Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill – Potential session topics could include:

*Environmental justice

*ESG

*Waste Management/Contaminated Site Investigation and Remediation

• Update on RECAP revisions
• Voluntary Remediation Program case studies
• Emerging constituents of concern (PFAS)
• Hazardous waste:  recent revisions to regulations, compliance issues
• Solid waste: recent revisions to regulations, compliance issues
• Impoundments and landfills
• Contaminated site remediation options
• Case studies of contaminated soil/groundwater investigations & remediation
• Case studies of industrial fires including waste management post-fire
• Wastewater
• Waste minimization panel including LQG, TSDF and consultant
• Brownfield site identification, investigation & remediation

*Leadership Development/Soft Skills – Potential session topics could include:

• Communications
• Use of social media to promote career development
• Presentation skills
• Influencing change

*Young Professional Technical/Regulatory Skills – Potential session topics could include:

• Permitting 101, based on LDEQ’s Air Permit Guidance Memo which may include an introduction to the forms, estimating / calculating emissions, and permitting pitfalls
• Introduction to AP-42 and its use in air permitting
• Stack Testing 101
• Regulatory Permits 101

Once again this year, we will also be accepting abstracts for delivery of a 1 hour Continuing Education Professional Engineering Ethics PDH course. Neither Texas or Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Survey Boards pre-approve courses for PDH qualification. Therefore, A&WMA is requesting abstracts from a Licensed Professional Engineer only for this course. The Conference will provide proof of attendance and the presentation will be included in the conference proceedings.

Abstract length cannot be more than 500 words and a title is required. The presentations should last no longer than 30 minutes, including time for questions and answers. We are trying to ensure that all sessions end at the same time to facilitate moving from room to room. Long form papers are not strictly required, but some form of written materials (PowerPoint presentations are certainly acceptable) must be submitted in advance and approved by the Conference Committee. The conference committee will also entertain submissions for topic specific panel discussions. A bio should also be submitted at the time of abstract submission and may be refined upon selection.

We cannot accept abstracts that are submitted late. Our review schedule is too tight to accommodate late submissions so, please get your abstract in on time. Please note that, in accordance with A&WMA guidelines, speakers selected on the basis of an abstract submittal will only receive a one day complimentary conference registration. Speakers would be required to pay the daily conference fee for attendance on days other than the day that includes his/her presentation.

The Conference Committee is currently planning space for 10-12 papers to be selected for presentation from among the abstracts submitted. Abstracts will be graded by an independent review committee composed of DEQ staff and/or industry environmental professionals. No outside attorneys or consultants will be on the abstract review committee. Papers will be selected based on quality, interest level and timeliness of topic and appropriateness for the target conference audience.

Industry, consultants, and attorneys are all encouraged to submit abstracts. This message is being sent to the LA Section members who have e-mail addresses on file with Headquarters, so feel free to forward the Call for Abstracts to others who might be interested.

If your abstract is selected for presentation, you will be notified and will receive further information about the requirements for the presentation, including the use of the A&WMA style guide and the September 30th final deadline for submission of complete and final presentations.

Abstracts should be submitted below. You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your abstract is received. If you have any questions about the call for papers or online submission issues, please contact Allyson Morales, Abstract Chair.