2026 Program
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Federal/State Update
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Details to be Announced
Breakfast/Networking/Visit Exhibit Booths
Time: 9:00 – 9:30 AM
Session 4A
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Revitalizing the Former Woolrich Woolen Mill: Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Through PFE and Tracer-Guided System Design
Jason Floyd, PG, Mountain Research, LLC, Altoona, PA
The former Woolrich woolen mill and associated office/design buildings are located in Woolrich, Pine Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Established in 1860, the Woolrich mill became one of the nation’s most prominent wool textile manufacturing facilities and played a vital role in American textile history. For more than a century, the mill served as both an industrial anchor and community center, contributing significantly to the economic development and cultural identity of rural north-central Pennsylvania. The facility remained active until 2018.
Wool processing operations included scouring, weaving, knitting, washing, and drying. During portions of the facility’s operation, dry cleaning was incorporated into the textile process, and trichloroethylene (TCE) was used extensively. Improper storage, handling, and/or disposal practices led to chlorinated-solvent–impacted soil and groundwater. Additionally, construction of building foundations, installation of subsurface utilities, the presence of a shallow groundwater table, and the use of dewatering systems created preferential migration pathways that contributed to vapor intrusion in both the mill and adjacent office/design buildings.
To evaluate and mitigate vapor intrusion, sub-slab depressurization (SSD) and sub-slab venting (SSV) vapor mitigation systems were proposed. Feasibility and diagnostic testing included pressure field extension (PFE) studies to measure the extent of differential pressure propagation from extraction points. However, negligible pressure responses were observed at select locations due to complex site conditions, including foundation design, subsurface utilities, and high porosity fill materials. To supplement PFE results, tracer studies using helium and smoke were performed. These studies not only demonstrated effective air movement under minimal vacuum conditions beneath the foundation floors but also identified leakage pathways and areas of short-circuiting at various locations in the building floors.
Integration of PFE and tracer testing data guided the vapor mitigation system design, specifically the number, placement, and configuration of extraction points. Following installation and operation of the SSD and SSV systems, post-remediation indoor air and sub-slab vapor sampling results confirmed a 95–100% reduction in chlorinated solvent concentrations, demonstrating the effectiveness of this combined approach to mitigating vapor intrusion at a historic industrial site.
Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
Jim Cinelli, P.E., BCEE, Liberty Environmental, Inc., Reading, PA
Vapor intrusion (VI) presents a significant challenge in the redevelopment of brownfield sites, where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated soil or groundwater can migrate into buildings, posing risks to human health and project viability. Effective vapor intrusion mitigation strategies are critical for ensuring safe, sustainable redevelopment. This presentation will provide an overview of current best practices and commonly employed technologies when mitigating VI risks on brownfield properties.
Key topics include the assessment of site-specific factors such as subsurface conditions (including the potential for short-circuiting), building construction, and land use. Attendees will gain insight into mitigation technologies including sub-slab depressurization systems (SSDS), vapor barriers, and building ventilation systems. The presentation will explore the advantages, limitations, and cost considerations of these approaches, with case studies illustrating successful implementation.
Through real-world examples and practical guidance, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to identify VI risks early, avoid common design pitfalls, integrate VIM into the redevelopment process, and implement cost-effective, compliant solutions that support both environmental and economic revitalization goals.
The presenter, Jim Cinelli, P.E., BCEE, is a licensed professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in investigating and remediating brownfield sites in Pennsylvania.
Session 4B
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Revitalization Playbooks – Holistic Approach to Redevelopment
Vincent Carbone, PG, HDR Engineering, Inc., Bethlehem, PA
Over the years, the redevelopment of brownfields has matured. In fact, in some cases the process of acquiring funding, characterizing sites, remediating and finally redeveloping them has become somewhat routine. For those fortunate enough to have received funding from federal or state agencies and through economic incentives, redevelopment has been a success.
Now more than ever the need is fixed on those communities that do not have the means or the expertise to manage a portfolio of smaller properties impacting a community.
It’s time to move to another level of maturity, to make brownfield redevelopment accessible to a less equipped type of community. But they need help. They need vision. They need a Brownfields Redevelopment Playbook, which provides a holistic summary of the three key factors that make for successful property community redevelopment: Economics, Power/ Infrastructure, and Environmental Stewardship. This is the first step to helping communities with limited resources prioritize their diverse and unique blend of many properties into a workable vision and plan.
This presentation will present, using case study examples, what a Redevelopment playbook may be for smaller communities, provide a pathway to receive and fund these services for their brownfield or community redevelopment.
Session 4C
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Unlocking Redevelopment Opportunities: A Practical Guide to the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for Brownfield Projects
Nina Gabbidon, Tetra Tech, Blue Bell, PA
Many industry professionals are aware of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), the Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of, among others, economic development projects. Recognizing that not every organization’s economic development staff has the same level of experience with the program, the session’s content to include an introduction to the basics of the program (i.e., summary, eligible uses of funds, key players, etc.), an overview of the application process (i.e., Capital Budget Itemization Act, eRACP, award, application and business plan, etc.) and compliance requirements and time for Q&A.
Session 4D
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Reuse Planning Primer 1,2,3 – Join us at the Interactive Planning Studio
Sean Garrigan and Jill Schoenfeld, Stromberg Garrigan & Associates, Inc., Wyncote, PA; Jill Gaito, Gaito & Associates LLC, Carlisle, PA; Joe Kraycik, Environmental Standards, Inc., Valley Forge, PA
During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to apply smart planning and creative design to help your community revitalize brownfield sites in ways that align with the local market conditions and community goals and vision. You will work with other participants during two breakout sessions to discuss how planning plays a role in brownfield site assessments, remediation, and reuse and the issues that are most important to the various stakeholders involved in a reuse planning project. Along the way, you will learn how to best prepare sites for reuse through various planning, community engagement, and site design activities. In addition, you will learn key aspects of undertaking a market analysis, developing project pro forma, and preparing financing strategies to address site clean-up and make redevelopment happen. The session will advance participants existing planning knowledge to demonstrate how planning activities can help communities prepare to safely reusing brownfields and specific planning activities that are eligible under EPA brownfields assessment and multipurpose grants with a goal of having more Pennsylvania communities taking advantage of the eligible planning elements of EPA brownfield grants.
Networking/Visit Exhibit Booths
Time: 10:30 – 11:00 AM
Session 5A
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Finding PFAS In Groundwater Doesn’t Have to be a Deal Killer
Eliot Cooper, Cascade Environmental LLC, Denver, CO
With PFAS ubiquitous in the environment, it is highly likely it will be found in groundwater of potential brownfield sites. The first reaction would be to run, but their are technologies that can help manage the risks of redeveloping these sites.
This presentation will discuss cost effective options for remediating PFAS including offsite and onsite options, which should not add a considerable financial burden on the project economics.
Offsite options typically are the same as managing hazardous wastes, including incineration, landfill and deep well injection.
On site options for groundwater include in situ carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and thermal treatment. Ex situ options include mobile supercritical oxidation, PFAS volume reduction through air fractionation, and many other destructive technologies.
Relative costs of these approaches will be compared to the extent of PFAS contamination so that a quick comparison to overall site redevelopment costs can be made to support a go/no-go decision.
PFAS Fate and Transport in the Context of Act 2 and Regulatory Trends
Russell Abell, Sanborn Head & Associates, Horsham, PA
PFAS continue to be a focal point of regulatory agencies including the USEPA and the PADEP and contaminants of concern at many sites including Brownfield Sites. With the 2024 changes to the media specific concentrations (MSCs) in groundwater including to 4 parts per trillion or nanograms per liter for PFOA and PFOS, addressing leaching to groundwater concerns at Brownfield sites with PFAS impacts can be a challenge. As the soil MSC is presently 100 times the groundwater MSC, but listed as 7 parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per kilogram, it the PADEP is currently working on an alternative approach. Since USEPA has indicated they are moving to update the Federal MCL to 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, it is likely that the soil MSC will eventually be lowered to 4 ppb for these constituents. Additionally, USEPA recently decided to move forward and defend the CERCLA hazardous substance designation for PFOA and PFOS, cementing these compounds to the Brownfield Site scope of investigation and response actions. The lower soil MSC may be challenging to meet at Brownfield sites in urban areas even if a PFAS release has not occurred and likely impossible to meet where a PFAS release to soil has been documented. Therefore, PFAS will continue to make assessment and clean ups at Brownfield Sites in PA challenging. This presentation will provide background regarding PFAS fate and transport characteristics that make their migration different from other typical Brownfield Site contaminants. The presentation will also include a review of background soil data including a recent NJDEP study that looked at differences in urban settings for PFAS background that may be more relevant to Brownfield Sites generally. Finally, the presentation will also share site-specific data and investigation techniques that may be used to better understand site-specific complexities related to PFAS, taking into account some of the unique fate and transport properties of PFAS.
Session 5B
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Data Center Redevelopment Opportunities for Large Industrial Brownfield Sites
Robert Dlugos, and Mike Archer, P.E., Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., Monroeville, PA; Ben Clapp, Babst Calland, Washington, DC
Large former heavy industrial properties with access to water and industrial electrical infrastructure are great sites to evaluate for potential data center development. Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., in partnership with Babst Calland, Attorneys at Law, has navigated the process of evaluating and developing remedial approaches to make data center development possible. With the demand for data centers to continue to increase, knowing which sites to look for and then the legal and environmental hurdles to expect and how to overcome them is key to helping data center developer clients identify and redevelop sites. Our idea is to have a panel of both environmental consulting and legal experts to discuss the process and have an interactive discussion with the audience so that attendees can be educated on what data centers are, what the data center developers need in regards to site features and infrastructure, the significant demand for data centers, and the process of addressing legacy brownfield/environmental issues as part of the redevelopment process.
Session 5C
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pennsylvania’s Underutilized Opportunities – Coal Fields
Vincent Carbone, PG, HDR Engineering, Inc., Bethlehem, PA
Sources estimate more than 250,000 acres of abandoned mines are located across approximately 45 counties in Pennsylvania with an approximate 1.4 million people living within one mile of abandoned mines. Estimates indicate over 5,000 miles of streams are impacted by acid mine drainage tied to abandoned mines. Some estimates go as high as 5 billion dollars needed to reclaim and restore an estimated 9,900 sites with environmental or health and safety issues.
Growing attention at the federal and state levels provide opportunities to improve the condition of coal lands, clean soil and surface water from legacy coal mining operations and improve the habitat of abandoned mine lands. Although Brownfields cannot be the sole source of rehabilitation, this panel discussion provides a road map and perspective on some of the challenges and opportunities for redevelopment. Panelists will be from economic development and grant funding, regulatory, and community perspective to provide insight to coal land redevelopment.
Funding Plenary
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Details to be Announced
Luncheon Buffet
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Grant Writing Workshop
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
This interactive workshop will provide information on preparing early for the next round of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Grants. At this training, representatives from Mid-Atlantic TAB, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and EPA will be available to answer questions on the application, assessment, and cleanup process; getting your AAI in order now; the power of a debrief; and tips on building a compelling story that will lead to a successful redevelopment project.