Posts Tagged ‘Bob Vitale’

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4 die in Afghanistan military air crash due to dust brownout

Posted in Afghanistan, Dust Control, International by Bob Vitale

and we here at home can do something about it!

This is not about selling product or making profits. I am a proud American, and with our troops still committed to the war overseas, everyone, including the people here at our company, should be doing everything possible to assure their safety.

Reading about the April 8 crash of a CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that killed four; two Air Force Special Operations Command airmen, a US soldier and a civilian, when there are theater solutions that could prevent it, bothers me to the core. The report identified “brownout conditions” caused the crash. (A brownout happens when the dust caused by the rotor wash from a helicopter raises dust which is so extreme that it impedes pilot vision and safety.)

Why am I so bothered? Because there’s no reason for a brownout condition. There are chemical solutions that can be applied to helipads in these remote and tactical locations that will eliminate dust and assure pilot visibility. My company, Midwest Industrial Supply, manufactures such products, as do other companies. And whether I believe we have the best product is not the point; it’s that there are solutions. There’s also new avionic technology in the field to help pilot visibility in brownout conditions but it will take time to fully deploy this technology. In the meantime, our chemical solutions working hand-in-hand with technology would enhance pilot safety.

The Army Corp of Engineers has worked exhaustedly to find effective tools and already tested Midwest solutions and today all branches of the Service use our products. We need to step up, and find ways to quickly treat these helicopter landing pads in theater conditions so we never again read a story like this. I know this is unacceptable to our military leaders, and it’s their goal as well.

View a brief demonstration of our solutions:

Go to our website to learn more about helipad dust control.

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Solar Guidelines released in Arizona

Posted in Dust Control, Environmental Services Industry, Soil Stabilization by Bob Vitale

Environmental Solutions will support the building and maintenance of these important projects.

Great to read about the detailed research that is taking place to develop best practices for Solar Energy Developers, which is so important to the energy alternative solutions this country so desperately needs. The Dust Control, Soil Stabilization and Erosion Control Industry will play a major role in helping our country not only build these new energy plants with a commitment to mitigating negative environmental impact during this process, but maintaining these plants as well with a focus on “green” and safety.

Building these projects requires construction roads, service roads, heavy equipment movement as well as post construction maintenance to keep Solar panels and wind farms in optimum condition. It is critical that these projects use best green practices during the construction and maintenance process and do not overlook unintended consequences which could harm the environment if not planned properly.

Guidelines for Solar Development in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, March 12, 2010

On March 12, 2010, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (“AGFD”) released finalized guidelines for solar development in Arizona (“Solar Guidelines”), the objective of which “is to assist energy developers in identifying potential impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitats from their proposed development and potential alternatives to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate for these negative impacts.” The AGFD encourages local governments and permitting authorities to integrate the recommended study proposals described in the Solar Guidelines. The document is organized around five basic project development steps:

  • Wildlife Protection Regulations
  • AGFD Regulations and Review
  • Gather preliminary information and conduct site screening
  • Identify potential impacts to wildlife
  • Mitigation

The Solar Guidelines were compiled by the AGFD employees and have not undergone any external public review or input from the solar energy industry. It should be noted that some of the information contained in the Solar Guidelines was taken from the AGFD’s wind guidelines. In light of the fact that county officials often defer to the AGFD in matters of wildlife concerns, special attention should be given to the section of the Solar Guidelines focused on “Avoiding or Minimizing Impacts” and the recommendations contained therein.

In addition, AGFD identified several areas in which information regarding the impacts of utility-scale solar development on wildlife and habitats is lacking. Specifically, AGFD believes that research is needed on the following topics:

  • Determine the “effective footprint” of utility-scale solar development so mitigation strategies can be implemented at the spatial extent of the impact.
  • Need to determine the potential effects of a proposed solar project on the demographics of
    select wildlife species.
  • Evaluate the alteration of vegetation and micro-climate adjacent to solar facilities.
  • Identify the impact that utility-scale solar development has on wildlife corridors.
  • Evaluate the movement and behavior patterns of select wildlife species (e.g., ungulates,
    grassland passerines, raptors) pre- and post construction
  • Examine the impacts to migratory birds and bats.
  • Develop mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of water impoundments associated with
    solar facilities.

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It’s time to reduce import duties and non-tariff barriers

Posted in Dust Control, International, Soil Stabilization by Bob Vitale

on Environmental Goods and Services

The time right for this effort. I know first hand how the international market is seeking solutions to environmental challenges regarding dust control and soil stabilization for a multitude of major projects around the world. We track the visitors to our website and international visitors have become a significant percentage of traffic. These visitors are not only spending time on our site learning about our products and services, but also requesting for quotes on a variety projects that need environmentally-friendly solutions. We have active projects in India, Egypt, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UK to name a few, so the time is certainly right to help both US companies and international markets expand their relationships and help provide environmental goods and services at lower costs and efficiencies.    

Below is a recent article outlining the process the US Trade Representative is moving on.

Investigation into the Economic Effects of Reducing Import Duties and Non-Tariff Barriers on Environmental Goods Ordered by US Trade Representative

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We Need Our Environmental Reporters!

Posted in Environmental Services Industry, Industry Watchdog by Bob Vitale

Tyler Hamilton is dead-on. Environmental journalism cannot be allowed to become a victim to the political theater that had denigrated so many of the topics which are so vital for each of us individually and worldwide.

Unfortunately, that does not mean that environmental reporters will become any less of an endangered species within the world of mainstream media. But the medium may need to change; specifically it’s future could be in the business community where large and small businesses devote most or all of their efforts into improving air quality, water quality, wildlife and natures habitat.

The message from those with the expertise, companies both large and small, may best be delivered in the actions they take. These companies can explain the complex issues and more importantly make the case for the solutions. Their value will be in solving the air and water quality issues, not just talking about them.

Midwest for example, is a small company specializing in environmental services, able to provide many valuable solutions; that’s almost the easy part. The hard part is being able to communicate the value in a way that actually argues the case that the solution does not “cost” but pays dividends in the overall quality of life.

This communications expertise is needed by those of us in business who have great solutions. Maybe we need to hire the Tyler Hamilton’s of this world to help tell our stories.

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How to Control Air Pollution…Safely

Posted in Dust Control, EK35, EnviroKleen, Environmental Certification/Independent Testing by Bob Vitale

Reports in recent weeks confirmed that oil sands are adding carcinogens to Canada’s Athabasca River. The good news in the bad news is that the carcinogens are being carried in the air, and air pollution can be controlled.

Given the importance of the oil sands to our economy and our future, the needed solution must absolutely stop dust clouds carrying airborne particulates. Reportedly, the particulates travel 50 kilometers, depositing possible contaminants on melted snow and in the Athabasca River. Dust blowing off the surfaces of big expanses at mines can be controlled – better yet, prevented – but stopping airborne particulates must not create any unintended consequences as those reported about the Athabasca River. That is why it is critical that agencies and businesses trying to control the air pollution that develops at their sites verify the effects the dust suppressants they use can have on the environment.  Today we have certified and verified environmental technologies (EnviroKleen® and EK35®) available that can stop airborne particulars.

Oil sands development located on the west bank of the Athabasca River. 28 February 2008. Photographs courtesy of Erin Kelly, published in Mongabay.com

Oil sands development located on the west bank of the Athabasca River. 28 February 2008. Photographs courtesy of Erin Kelly, published in Mongabay.com.

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The Threat of Unpaved Roads in Afghanistan

Posted in Afghanistan, Community Roads, Dust Control, EK35 by Bob Vitale

This CNN Q&A regarding the war in Afghanistan struck a chord with me.  The environmental difficulties our troops encounter is really unimaginable for most of us. Just reading this list of questions and answers caused me to stop and pause, almost tasting the “choking sandstorms” soldiers weather in the summer. In just a few sentences regarding their challenges, you cannot but be affected by the condition of unpaved roads and the threat they pose to our troops; much is being done and much more needs done to counter these conditions.  Midwest has helped the military in the past with similar dust issues, as illustrated by Major Steven A. Baker in this article published in Engineer – The Professional Bulletin of Army Engineers.

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We Listened To You

Posted in Dust Control, Earth Armour by Bob Vitale

What I love about this business is that even after 35 years, you learn something new every day.

We took a look at the business we had not won this last year and realized that even though we knew we were proposing the best damn dust control solution for the given problem, customers had financial and budget issues, wanted a lower-cost alternative and were willing to forgo the longer-term cost savings for shorter term relief.

So we went and developed the best basic dust control solution at the most competitive price – Earth Armour™. Now our customers have an economical dust control solution in situations where temporary dust control is the objective rather than significant long term stabilization of the surface.

Earth Armour also fulfills our pledge to live our Midwest Values; “we will understand our customer’s requirements and deliver on our commitments.” I mention this in this blog because it does no good at all to have values if they are not actively practiced, everyday. So Earth Armour fits into our portfolio of products because it represents living a Value which is the foundation of everything we do as a company.

If you have a chance, learn more of exactly how Earth Armour does this by learning more on our website.

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The Best Choices Will Not Cost, They Will Pay

Posted in Dust Control, Environmental Services Industry, Erosion Control, Soil Stabilization by Bob Vitale

ReGeneration Productions is a company whose mission is to “create educational media that communicate the ideals and practice of urban sustainability.”  Their first endeavor, Mission:Sustainable, gives a “green” makeover to individuals needing to integrate sustainable practices into their lives. In a recent blog post titled “Working soil so that soil works for us,” ReGeneration states that they believe that “sustainability comes down to knowing that each choice we make has a ‘cost.’ The true ‘cost’ is a combination of the economic, social and environmental costs set against the offsetting benefits associated with each choice we make.”   This concept has interesting value to the commercial and industrial segment of our earth community.

As stewards of clean air, clean water and human health, our mission is to help make improvements in the work processes used by industrial customers that deliver economic, social and environmental benefits that exceed the cost of those improvements.  The main areas of our work revolve around dust control, especially pm10 and pm2.5 health risks; sediment and erosion control, which pose risks to water and aquatic life; and stabilization that provides the social benefit of smooth, pothole free roadways for area residents while delivering improved business results and operating performance.

The amazing thing is that this is absolutely, positively doable today. There is so much improvement possible with the choices we make in the commercial and industrial arena while providing significant economic and social and environmental returns that we often say, “the best choices will not cost, they will pay.”

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How to Be the Steward of Your Ash Pond

Posted in Coal Ash Ponds, Soil Sement by Bob Vitale

There certainly is a lot of attention being devoted to coal ash ponds in the media today from the 60 Minutes broadcast to all the recent print coverage. The media of course uncovers a few bad eggs, but we know that the industry itself has been dealing with ash pond management for decades. At Midwest, we have helped utility customers be stewards of their ash ponds for over 30 years. In our company lore and history, everyone at Midwest recalls the phone call we received from a customer on Super Bowl Sunday, January 31, 1993. The Dallas Cowboys played the Buffalo Bills (Dallas won 52-17!), and our utility customer had major problem; their very large ash pond surface had dried and frozen, resulting in it becoming a major source of dust for the local area. I said “we will be there in six hours with at least one crew and equipment and more will follow. And we will not leave until the pond is secure.” For two weeks in sub-zero conditions, our team sealed the pond surface and stopped any and all dust from blowing from it.

Ashpond Puzzle

So what does it take to continually manage and monitor your ash pond to avoid emergencies like this and those mentioned in the media?

-Spray a surface sealant on the pond that penetrates to the desired depth, creating a bonded matrix consisting of the sealant and the ash.

-This bonded matrix locks all fines and particles into the surface matrix and eliminates the root cause, free particles,  from becoming airborne and a nuisance or hazard to the local area.

-Maintain this application cycle on a yearly basis.

We can provide product and guidance for coal ash pond issues or do a complete turnkey installation.


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Buyer Beware

Posted in Dust Control, Environmental Services Industry, Industry Watchdog, Soil Sement, Soil Stabilization by Bob Vitale

I would like to share an interesting story with you. It represents an example of why I believe independent testing of company claims is very important for the purchasers of products from companies within our industry – during the bidding stage, and then again during the delivery stage.

For many years we have been supplying a customer with their requirements for a dust palliative and soil stabilizer. Our multi-year contract just expired and the user has issued a notice of solicitation for current bids to fulfill their requirements. Their solicitation included a detailed performance requirement for the product to pass CBR lab testing for a specific soil type to meet the standards for the customer’s needs. The specification matched our specific product, which they have been using for many years.

In the bidding, a competitor quoted a price approximately 20% below our quoted price. Part of the competitive vendor’s bid information included marketing and test data to prove that their product was equal to the product called for in the specification.

Shortly after the competitor was awarded the new multi-year contract for the delivery and installation of their brand name product, based on being the low bidder, they began communicating with producers of the basic raw materials stating they had just received a multi-year contract and needed to source significant volumes of a non-prime polymer emulsion. Within these communications there was no product chemistry specification that might indicate that what they were trying to source would meet the requirements as called for by the purchaser’s specification.

So here is the issue; since testing and documentation for the specification requirements is typically only required at the bidding stage, and product sampling is NOT required at the delivery stage to assure the exact product specified in the bid is being delivered, the bait and switch can take place and the customer will never know.

It will take due diligence on the part of the customer to catch this bait and switch activity. It will also take significant due diligence to confirm that the environmental soundness of whatever is actually delivered and installed on public roadways is in fact what was represented.

We know that price is an issue and customers need to assure their constituencies that they have done everything possible to obtain the best product solution for the lowest price. We also know customers do not want to “buy price” and close their eyes to product deficiency and possible environmental issues.

This is why it is in the best interest of both the community of users and principled industry leaders to expose such bait and switch activities. This is needed for both the protection of people and the environment in which these products might be used.

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