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ENV SP Spotlight: Carly Shannon of C&S Companies

9-December-2019

Carly Shannon is a Director for C&S Companies where she has worked for nearly a decade. Carly leads the company’s aviation sustainability and resilience practice. She is an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and also a LEED Accredited Professional with specialization in building design and construction (LEED AP BD+C). Carly holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geoscience and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in sustainability. She is originally from Syracuse, New York but now lives in Los Angeles, California.

ISI had an opportunity to connect with Carly to learn more about her work and experience using Envision.

Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI): Please tell us about yourself and what you enjoy most about your career.

Carly Shannon (CS): Although I’m based on the West Coast, I have the opportunity to work with airport clients across the country on everything from sustainability planning and strategy development to integration into design and construction, and even maintenance and operations. Every project I do is different from the last, which keeps me enthralled with the work. I also participate in several industry organizations including the Transportation Research Board (TRB), serving as co-chair of the Aviation Climate Change and Sustainability Sub-Committee, and Airports Council International – North America, serving on their Sustainability Integration Advisory Council that aims to bridge the various disciplines of an airport to identify collaborative solutions. Internally at C&S, I am working with my teammates to propel our own commitment to sustainability. Recently, we committed to purchasing carbon offsets for all air travel through The Good Traveler Program and have made a major investment in professional development focused on sustainability. For example, we have held in-person training sessions to help employees receive their Envision Sustainability Professional credential.

Professional Experience

ISI: What drew you to your field of work?

CS: A general passion for the environment, perhaps from growing up with the Adirondack Mountains in close range. My parents brought us on many camping trips as kids and I always felt connected to our surroundings. Once I learned more about sustainability and how this could be applied to all facets of our society and economy, I was hooked.

ISI: What has been your biggest career challenge?

CS: Saying “no”. Sustainability presents so many opportunities and there are always new areas to explore. Obviously, it’s not quite sustainable to do everything!

ISI: What has been your proudest career moment to-date?

CS: I’ve had the pleasure of celebrating many successes at C&S and with our clients. However, I feel most proud when I walk out of a productive sustainability charrette or workshop after engaging a range of people from different disciplines and perhaps some “non-believers” to embrace sustainability for what it really is—whole-systems, balanced thinking and strategically approaching projects to avoid missed opportunities.

Envision Experience

ISI: How did you first learn about Envision?

CS: I was fortunate to have a very devoted colleague at C&S introduce me to the Envision framework and rating system years ago. He was aware of my passion for sustainability and had come across the framework thanks to his role leading our civil engineering practice. I was immediately drawn to Envision thanks to its holistic approach to sustainability and resilience. It also came at a perfect time when many of our clients were seeking guidance for infrastructure projects to fill the void left by LEED. After learning about Envision, I subsequently decided to pursue my ENV SP credential.

ISI: How are you using Envision? / How is your organization using Envision?

CS: How aren’t we?! Initially, I used Envision specifically for projects with the first one being the T.F. Green Airport Runway 5 Extension that achieved Envision Gold in 2016. I was the Envision administrator and sustainability coordinator for the project and it was an excellent experience. Since then, we’ve worked with a number of airports in different regions to pursue verification (including the first five airfield projects). Simultaneously, we are collaborating with airports to integrate Envision and sustainability into decision-making, planning, and airport-wide guidance for development and improvements, among other activities.

ISI: You mentioned one project in particular – the T.F. Green Airport Runway 5 Extension in Providence, Rhode Island. Can you share some highlights from another Envision project to show how you’re putting your ENV SP credential to use?

CS: Absolutely! I recently celebrated an exciting milestone that I’m happy to share. A couple of years ago, we worked with the Wayne County Airport Authority to pursue Envision verification for one of their major runway reconstruction projects at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). It was an incredibly fulfilling process thanks to the Airport’s commitment to sustainability. We received Envision Silver on that project, but the rating system presented much more value than simply demonstrating leadership. It helped us maintain commitment to the sustainability integration from start to finish, serving as a beacon throughout the process. When we kicked off another runway reconstruction – this time in a more central location at the Airport and with numerous complexities – we sought to not just replicate successful measures from the past project but elevate our game. This involved robust efforts by the entire team and, just last month, we proudly announced our Envision Gold award for the Reconstruction of Runway 3L/21 R and Associated Taxiways project at DTW.

ISI: What does sustainable infrastructure mean to you?

CS: In addition to much of what I’ve already expressed, sustainability means adding value while balancing economic, operational, environmental, and social priorities; and ensuring seamless integration with the surrounding systems.

Fun Facts

ISI: What are some of your favorite hobbies and interests?

CS: Although I don’t do any of them enough, I love camping, hiking, and paddle boarding. Southern California is a great spot for all of the above!

ISI: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

CS: I completely fell into the aviation world while looking for work in sustainability, and – like many others with similar experiences – have never looked back.

Reconstruction of Runway 3L/21R and Associated Taxiways at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Earns Envision Gold

15-November-2019

The ongoing reconstruction of Runway 3L/21R and associated taxiways at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) received the Envision Gold award for sustainable infrastructure. Previously, the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) achieved Envision Silver for another major airfield project—the reconstruction of DTW’s Runway 4L/22R and associated taxiways—in 2016. The project team built on past successes and lessons learned to expand the sustainability objectives and initiatives throughout the recent Runway 3L design and construction.

This $180 million project is reconstructing Runway 3L/21R and parallel Taxiway M and partial parallel Taxiway P. These facilities were originally constructed in the 1950’s and had deteriorated to a point where full reconstruction was necessary. As part of this project, decommissioned pavement is being removed, geometry is being updated to current design standards, bypass taxiways are being added, and Taxiway P is being extended. These measures are expected to improve safety by reducing acute angle intersections, adding shoulder pavement, and improving the operational flow throughout the completed area.

“Incorporating sustainable measures into two large runway projects, including the reconstruction of our primary runways, has been a fulfilling experience for the Airport Authority,” said Deputy Director Theresa Samosiuk, the WCAA project manager for both the 4L and 3L runway projects. “While reconstructing Runway 3L/21R and its associated taxiways, we will maintain nearly all materials on site. We are also reducing future maintenance through LED lighting and other measures, contributing to the Airport Authority’s overall sustainability goals – which includes a target for 100% LED airfield lighting at DTW. It’s exciting to have a direct and positive impact on how we deliver infrastructure projects across the airports.”

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Applications Now Open for New ISI Trainers

10-October-2019

ISI is looking for a few more hands to help our programs grow. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences and sharpening your skills, submit your application to become an ISI Trainer!

Please note: the deadline to apply is December 31, 2019.

ISI Trainers bring the Envision framework to life and enhance ISI’s educational programming. Qualified candidates must be active ENV SP credential holders and have relevant professional experience. Successful candidates will be invited to join an in-person training course in Los Angeles, California in March 2020.

ISI Trainer Job Description

ISI Trainer Application Form

Please contact Lindsey Geiger, ISI’s Director of Education for more information and to apply!

ISI Launches Live Webinar Series

13-September-2019

New Educational Opportunities that Qualify for ENV SP Credential Maintenance

ISI is pleased to announce the launch of a new live webinar series as a way to engage with the Envision user community and to help Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs) maintain their credentials. (Each webinar qualifies as one elective education hour towards the annual ENV SP credential maintenance requirements.)

All webinars will be hosted live. Registration is free and those wishing to participate must register in advance.

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing important information about joining the meeting.

Webinar Schedule

Strengthening New York City DEP’s Sustainability Through Programmatic Application of Envision

Presented by Erika Jozwiak, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Wednesday December 18, 2019 at 1:00 PM Eastern
As the largest combined water and wastewater system in the nation, New York City is in a unique position to advance sustainable infrastructure. Envision has been adopted to assist designers in placing a quantifiable value to the “intangibles”. Several case studies will be presented using both versions 2 and 3 of the Envision framework.

REGISTER

 

Application of Envision to the Ship Canal Water Quality Project

Presented by Richard Fernandez, Seattle Public Utilities and Jennifer Ninete, HDR
Tuesday January 14, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
This webinar describes the process for implementing the Ship Canal Water Quality Project, a large-scale CSO tunnel solution. It focuses on sustainable components and will show how Envision was used to influence design, implementation and policy.

REGISTER

 

Reaching Platinum: Examples of Two Large Scale Wastewater Infrastructure Projects

Presented by Lorraine Moreno, City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering, Environmental Engineering Division
Wednesday January 29, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
The City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering Clean Water Infrastructure Program has completed construction on two large-scale multi-million-dollar projects: the Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWPF) at Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant (TIWRP) and the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (HWRP) Digester Gas Utilization Project (DGUP). This webinar will discuss the process for achieving Platinum and share some of the lessons learned and the City’s approach to using Envision at a program level.

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Applying Envision Retroactively – PANYNJ’s experience with the Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Project

Presented by: Melissa Targett, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Wednesday February 12, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern
The Envision Rating system provides public agencies with a distinguished method to gather and document efforts to develop Sustainable Projects.  This webinar will discuss the types of policies and processes conducted within public agencies that contribute to the documentation needed for Envision credits and present the Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Project Envision verification with a category by category review. 

REGISTER

 

Envision the Westminster Way

Presented by Julie Koehler, City of Westminster
Wednesday December 4, 2019 at 1:00 PM Eastern
This webinar will focus on how the City of Westminster, Colorado has taken active steps to increase knowledge of and practice using the Envision framework as we define what it means to Westminster to be sustainable.

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED; EVENT HAS ENDED.

 

Advocating for the Use of Envision by Local Public Infrastructure Agencies

Presented by Michael Bloom, R.G. Miller Engineers, Inc. and Liz Parent, 5engineering, Inc.
Wednesday November 13, 2019 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Have you ever wondered how you or your firm can help advocate for expanded use of Envision? This webinar will provide a summary of the advocacy work conducted in the Houston and Harris County area of Texas since 2013. 

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED; EVENT HAS ENDED.

 

11 Tips for Preparing Envision Documentation

Presented by Jennifer Ninete, HDR
Tuesday October 29, 2019 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Preparing to submit for Envision verification is as much of an art as a science.  The presentation is intended to provide high-level lessons learned that can be applied to developing documentation packages for any Envision project.

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED; EVENT HAS ENDED.

San Antonio River Authority’s Martinez IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Earns Envision Silver Award

9-September-2019

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) announced today that the Martinez IV Wastewater Treatment Plant in Saint Hedwig, Texas is the recent recipient of the Envision Silver award for sustainable infrastructure.

The Martinez IV Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a new facility built to accommodate the significant projected population growth of the surrounding communities. Without this facility, the increased raw sewage would need to be pumped and hauled by truck on a daily basis to other facilities for treatment, causing significant impacts to soil, watershed quality, air pollution, and carbon dioxide emissions.

Operated by the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority), the plant has a treatment capacity of 250,000 gallons per day (GPD) with potential to expand to two million gallons per day (MGD). The project consists of headworks, biological treatment, clarifiers, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, and dewatering with final solids being composted. In addition, a new sanitary sewer collection line and associated lift station will connect new residential developments to the wastewater treatment plant. The collection line will consist of approximately 17,000 linear feet of gravity and force main and one lift station.

The River Authority worked in close collaboration with Freese and Nichols and MGC Contractors to deliver this award-winning sustainable project.

<a href=”http://sustainableinfrastructure.org/project-awards/martinez-iv-wastewater-treatment-plant/”>Learn more about this project.</a>

LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building Replacement Project Earns Envision Platinum

22-August-2019

The LaGuardia Airport CTB Replacement Project is the first project to earn Envision recognition under Envision v3 – the latest iteration of the Envision sustainable infrastructure framework developed and managed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. Owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), the LaGuardia Airport CTB Replacement Project earned Envision Platinum, indicating the project delivered a heightened range of social, environmental, and economic benefits to the host and affected communities.

The LaGuardia Airport is vital to the regional economy. It employs approximately 10,000 people on-airport and contributes more than $13 billion in economic activity to the region, generating an additional 100,000 jobs and nearly $5 billion in annual wages and salaries. The airport is located on 680 acres in the New York City Borough of Queens. It is a large commercial airport hub that primarily serves domestic markets. Located only a few minutes from Manhattan, LaGuardia Airport serves more than 19 million people.

PANYNJ embarked on an innovative Public-Private Partnership (P3) to replace the aging and outdated Central Terminal Building (CTB) at the LaGuardia Airport which has been operational since its dedication in 1964. It was most recently modernized and expanded in the 1990s. This is the most ambitious P3 ever undertaken in the region and is the largest P3 ever in the United States. Under the P3, LaGuardia Gateway Partners will design, build, operate, and maintain a new Central Terminal Building (New CTB) facility. The P3 contract includes taking over the operations of the existing CTB and designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the New CTB through 2050. The project will be financed using equity, debt, passenger facility charges, retail, and airline revenues.

Learn more about this project and why it earned Envision Platinum.

Westside Subway Extension (Purple Line), Section 1

20-August-2019

Rendering of the Wilshire/La Brea Station currently under construction [rendering courtesy of Skanska]

LA Metro’sWestside Subway Extension (Purple Line), Section 1 in Los Angeles received the Envision Platinum award for sustainable infrastructure. To reach Platinum status, a project must demonstrate that it delivers a heightened range of environmental, social, and economic benefits to the host and affected communities.

Section 1 of the Westside Subway Extension, also known as the Purple Line Extension, is one of the most significant infrastructure programs in the region. The 3.92-mile segment, comprised of twin bore tunnels, will add three new stations to LA Metro’s rail system. The three additional stations will be located at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cinega. The project will extend the current Purple Line from Koreatown through Miracle Mile and is expected to be operational in 2023.

Located beneath some of Los Angeles’ most heavily traveled boulevards, this $1.6 billion subway line extension will provide a high-capacity, high-speed, and dependable transportation alternative for commuters to alleviate congested roadways. This project will also deliver significant economic and environmental benefits to the area.

Learn more about the project.

ENV SP Spotlight: Erika Jozwiak of NYC DEP

19-June-2019

Erika works in New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) as the Sustainability Section Chief for the Bureau of Engineering, Design & Construction. NYC DEP is the largest combined water/wastewater agency in the United States, and Erika’s role is to incorporate sustainability into all of the department’s capital projects. She started working for NYC DEP in 2015. Prior to her current role, Erika worked in Pennsylvania as an environmental consultant. She has a degree in Environmental Science from Franklin & Marshall College.

We had an opportunity to connect with Erika to learn more about her work, and how she puts her Envision Sustainability Professional credential to good use.

Professional Experience

Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI): What drew you to your field of work?

Erika Jozwiak (EJ): Water and wastewater are critical services to everyone. The opportunity to work in this high-impact sector to incorporate the triple bottom line was, and continues to be, really exciting to me. I love the opportunities and challenges that each unique project brings. Working for the city is great because NYC is making big strides towards City-wide sustainability and it’s incredible to be a part of the solution.

ISI: What has been your biggest career challenge?

EJ: My previous company was 5 people total. Making the transition from a small company to an agency with 6,000 people serving a population of 8 million (and growing) was a major and exciting shift!

ISI: What has been your proudest career moment?

EJ: The example I’d like to use is less of a moment, and more of an observation. Sustainability has become a major driver for NYC DEP’s work. NYC DEP has always invested in the long-term sustainability of our critical infrastructure and has taken this commitment a step further. Now, we analyze greenhouse gas emissions, and consider climate resiliency, waste reduction, and material selection among other aspects. It has been a true honor to be a part of this shift towards a greater commitment to sustainability.

On a personal level, I also had the honor of representing NYC DEP at the International Conference for Sustainable Infrastructurein Shenzhen, China where we showcased our sustainability program’s approach and impact. The presentation received an award, and the whole experience was incredible.

 

Envision Experience

 

ISI: How did you learn about Envision?

EJ: When I started at NYC DEP in 2015, the agency had begun to incorporate Envision analysis into our capital projects. As I joined the team I learned of its value and have since worked to expand the use and implementation of Envision.

ISI: Why did you decide to pursue an Envision credential?

EJ: The perspective Envision offers to infrastructure projects are unique in the sustainability field and fits well with our water/wastewater work. I pursued the credential to make sure I was an expert in applying Envision to projects and was able to best take advantage of the opportunities the system provides.

ISI: How are you using Envision?

EJ: NYC DEP uses Envision as a tool on all of our capital projects to ensure opportunities to incorporate the triple bottom line are pursued, whether or not the project goes through full third-party verification. This process takes place in the early design phase to maximize the impact. Additionally, using Envision helps the agency meet certain regulatory criteria for third-party sustainability rating systems, and is a good fit for our industrial projects.

ISI: Can you share some highlights from an Envision project?

EJ: NYC DEP’s Bowery Bay Electrical Upgrade project recently became the first electrical project to receive recognition for sustainability from ISI. The project earned Envision Silver and the agency is so proud of the team for the work they performed to attain this achievement!

 

Fun Facts

 

ISI: We’d like readers to get to know you outside of work a bit better. Could you share with us some of your favorite hobbies and interests?

EJ: I love to hike, bike, and volunteer in my neighborhood.

ISI: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

EJ: Maybe it’s not a ‘surprise’ given my line of work, but I’m extremely interested in how different countries manage waste – it’s something I genuinely look forward to learning about when I travel to new places.

Saudi Aramco’s Ajyal Community Development Project is First in Middle East to Earn Envision Award

30-May-2019

Saudi Aramco’s Ajyal Community of Excellence project located in South Dhahran, Saudi Arabia is the first infrastructure project in the Middle East to earn an Envision award for sustainable infrastructure. This project is the recent recipient of the Envision Silver award—an award that signifies the project delivers a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits to the host and affected communities.

The Ajyal Community of Excellence project, known locally as the South Dhahran Home Ownership Program, includes site planning, selection, preparation, environmental monitoring; and design and construction of the infrastructure for the new Ajyal community.

The overall goals of the Ajyal Community Development project include:

  • Promoting a high quality of life by including pedestrian and bicycle paths, attractive landscaping, and public open spaces for residents;
  • Demonstrating leadership in environmental design by optimizing land use and balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations;
  • Smartly locating and constructing utilities and infrastructure to serve the needs of the community today, while also planning for future growth;
  • Creating opportunities for significant commercial and residential development in an area that was previously barren; and
  • Utilizing resources efficiently—including energy, water and materials—during construction and over the operational life of the project.

Saudi Aramco worked in close collaboration with Nesma & Partners, HOK and IBI to deliver this award-winning sustainable project.

Visit the PROJECT PAGE to learn more.

ENV SP Spotlight: Michael Bloom

29-May-2019

 

Michael Bloom, PE, ENV SP, BCEE, CFM is the Sustainability Practice Manager at R. G. Miller Engineers, Inc., in Houston, Texas.  He is responsible for wetlands, natural resources work, nature-based stormwater management, and surface water quality management projects. He has 28 years of experience in environmental consulting.

ISI staff had the chance to connect with Michael, and he provided the following insights from his career:

Professional Experience

What drew you to your field of work?

I have always had a keen interest in “making a difference” while applying science and engineering knowledge and skills.  I’d read articles in the late 1980s about Superfund clean-ups and a company called Roy F. Weston, Inc. doing projects like that. This piqued my interest, and I got to work for Roy F. Weston, Inc. back in the early 1990s.

What has been your biggest career challenge?

One one project I needed to deliver a complex information technology (IT) solution to a state agency on time, on budget, and while meeting client expectations about how the system would function.  A working IT solution was ultimately delivered, but the client was dissatisfied, the budget was overrun, and the technology team was exhausted. I learned that information technology projects are extremely challenging to deliver and that every consultant sometimes has a project that fails to make a profit.

What has been your proudest career moment?

I organized and conducted a pre-conference workshop at a national conference on watershed management.  It was particularly rewarding to have the workshop sell out and generate lots of positive feedback from attendees.

Envision Experience

Why did you decide to pursue an Envision credential?

I saw that it was backed by ACEC, APWA, and ASCE – all large, well established organizations. I thought that adoption would take off and I felt that I needed to get credentialed or I would be left behind.

How are you using Envision?

I have been advocating for its use in the Houston region since 2010.  I helped secure resolutions of support for its use by Houston Wilderness, the North Houston Association, and the West Houston Association.  As an ISI trainer, I’m now among those training private sector practitioners as well as people who work for the Harris County Engineering Department, after the department announced they would be moving forward with its use on projects.  As an ISI trained Verifier, I’ve reviewed two large projects that have completed the entire process.

Could you share some highlights from an Envision project?

I helped teach a class in Advanced Sustainable Design at Rice University. We had the class use Envision to evaluate the sustainability of three different storm surge protection options for the Houston metropolitan area. The total Envision credit score was determined for all three options.  Through this evaluation, the students discovered that the net embodied carbon of all three barrier systems were not insignificant. Student groups used the entire Envision credit system to evaluate the three barrier options and present their findings in a report and in a presentation.

Fun Facts

What are some of your favorite hobbies and interests?

I enjoy science fiction, helping my wife in the garden, the ancient eastern board game of “GO.”

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a sucker for almost any type of cat or dog. We currently have 3 cats and 1 dog at home. I drive my wife to a particular garden-supply place in town — that usually has rescue kittens and puppies for adoption – just so I can pet them.