ecoSPEARS Receives EPA Comfort Letter
In a groundbreaking development for remediation technology, ecoSPEARS has received an EPA Comfort Letter, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey to redefine environmental cleanup efforts. In this post, we’re sharing what the Environmental Protection Agency – EPA Comfort Letter signifies, its historical significance, and why ecoSPEARS’ accomplishments should matter to all of us.
Background: What is an EPA Comfort Letter?
In 1969, Congress passed the Environmental Policy Act, creating a Council on Environmental Policy that reviewed federal activities affecting the quality of life. This signaled a commitment to responsible environmental practices and rigorous standards for processes and methodologies.
The EPA’s Comfort Letter, also known as a status letter, is critical in validating the methods for reuse and redevelopment of contaminated, potentially contaminated, and formerly contaminated properties, often referred to as “impacted properties.”
It is a formal assurance from the EPA to interested parties that the project complies with environmental standards. In essence, it’s a formal assurance that what a company is doing, or promises to do, is approved. However, it should be noted that receiving an EPA Comfort letter is not legally binding and could still result in repercussions should a company act unfavorably.
How ecoSPEARS Earned the EPA Comfort Letter
Securing an EPA Comfort Letter is a formidable feat, reserved for companies exemplifying an unwavering commitment to environmental excellence in their processes. ecoSPEARS’ receipt of this recognition underscores the company’s determination to revolutionize the environmental remediation landscape.
Approved remediation methodologies for soil washing, prior to this, involved transferring large volumes of contaminated media to incinerators or landfills. This creates additional CO2 emissions and, with the burn process, transfers POPs (persistant organic pollutants) into the air.
In addition, with contaminated media left in landfills, there is still a risk of pollutant leakage being reabsorbed back into the environment. In short, today’s remediation methodologies are a financial liability that trades in one pollutant area (dirt and sediment) for another.
ecoSPEARS’ Additive Desorption System (ADS), known as eco?INA soil washing technology, is done on-site. It greatly reduces the volume of contaminated media for bulk PCB waste remediation. This eliminates the potential for contaminant reabsorption/leakage, as well as eliminating CO2 emissions from hauling to a new location.
This new clean technology makes ecoSPEARS soil washing solution the best new, sustainable choice for soil remediation.
Why ecoSPEARS’ Achievement Matters
In an EPA Region 9 pilot program, eco?INA successfully cleaned three tons of soil down to 300 lbs of contaminated Granulated Active Carbon (GAC), reducing the contaminant volume of what would have been transferred to a landfill by 90%. This contaminant reduction and throughput will be even greater once the process is expanded past the pilot phase for larger sites.
By treating contaminants on-site, ecoSPEARS provides companies with an affordable solution that not only removes toxins but also eliminates the additional risk, liability, and expense of hauling contaminants to landfills.
Now, companies can trust that ecoSPEARS will clean up toxins and reduce their remediation expenses by up to 50% (compared to traditional remediation methods).
With an exclusive license for these NASA-developed technologies, and international recognition of Best Available Technology, ecoSPEARS is ideally positioned to become the gold standard in environmental remediation for PCB’s and other persistent toxins.
ecoSPEARS’ EPA Comfort Letter represents a significant achievement in environmental technology and demonstrates the company’s commitment to environmental excellence, assuring clients (and investors) that these solutions are both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
EPA PCB Coordinators can rest assured that our innovative technology is the answer to cleaner and more sustainable forever chemical remediation. As we confront environmental challenges, ecoSPEARS’ accomplishment is a beacon of hope that innovative and sustainable solutions are within our reach.