Posted on February 19, 2025
We are pleased to announce the application process for the 2025 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship is open! Recognizing the potential of our next generation in helping to build a sustainable future, we are proud to offer scholarships to students who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We’re looking for high school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are pursuing post-secondary education in one of several STEM fields. Please see the application below for additional details and eligibility requirements.
New in 2025: We are excited to announce that we have increased our scholarship award amount this year to $1,000! Also, we are now offering our application completely online – CLICK HERE to access the online application form. Or, you can still download the application via the link below and submit it, along with required attachments, via email or mail. See the application for more details.
Click here to download the 2025 Scholarship Application
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Posted on May 28, 2024
Nobis Group Awards 2024 STEM Scholarships
(Concord, NH) Nobis Group, a 100% employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering and environmental solutions to clients throughout the Northeast, recently awarded scholarships to two 2024 recipients.
Now in its sixth year, the Nobis Group scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school. Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM.
“The students who apply for our scholarship each year are truly impressive. It’s encouraging to see so many young people committed to not only the environmental and engineering fields, but also to bettering their communities,” noted Katie Dillon, Nobis Group Director of Marketing and Chair of the firm’s Scholarship Committee. “It’s always a challenging task to pick the winners, but I know our committee considers it a great privilege to be a part of supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education.”
This year’s recipients include Massachusetts student Janmarcos Espinal-Rodriguez of Abbott Lawrence Academy and New Hampshire student Abhinav Avvaru of Nashua High School South.
About Nobis Group
Nobis Group, founded in 1988, is a leading engineering and environmental services consulting firm providing expertise and solutions for public and private projects throughout the Northeast U.S. Nobis Group offers civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, water supply, and environmental remediation services. Nobis Group is a 100% employee-owned company with a legacy of collaboration, responsiveness, an employee-focused workplace culture, and community involvement.
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Posted on March 27, 2024
Nobis Group is pleased to announce two new Vice Presidents at the firm: Scott Harding, PE has been named Vice President of Business Development and Brett Kay has been named Vice President of Operations.
Harding draws upon over thirty years of experience at Nobis to direct marketing strategies, develop client relationships, and create opportunities that position Nobis for long-term stability and growth in his new role.
With over twenty years of experience in the engineering industry, four of which he served as Director of Civil Engineering at Nobis, Kay is dedicated to actively engaging and understanding the personalities and goals of internal and external team members, bringing teams together to find the best technical and financial solutions for Nobis’s clients and accomplishing the overall company strategy.
In addition to his promotion to Vice President of Operations, Kay has been appointed to the Nobis Board of Directors.
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Posted on July 24, 2023
Nobis Group is pleased to announce a significant recent leadership transition: after 34 years of exceptional service, Ken Koornneef, PE has decided to retire from his position as President and CEO. Together with Koornneef, the company’s executive leadership team and Board of Directors have been preparing for this transition through thoughtful succession planning. Nobis Group expresses deep gratitude for Koornneef’s numerous contributions and unwavering dedication to the organization.
Nobis Group is thrilled to introduce Chris Adams, PE as the firm’s newly appointed President and CEO. Adams is a professional civil engineer with over 24 years of service at Nobis Group, holding multiple positions including, most recently, Vice President of Operations and member of the Board of Directors. Adams has a proven history of success in the consulting and engineering industry and brings this wealth of knowledge and strategic vision to lead Nobis Group into the future. His expertise and leadership acumen will be instrumental in driving Nobis Group, as a 100% employee-owned company, towards growth and continued exceptional client service, maintaining Nobis Group’s commitment to excellence and partnering with our communities into the future.
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Posted on June 12, 2023
Nobis Group recently awarded scholarships to two 2023 high school graduates.
Now in its fifth year, the Nobis scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school. Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM.
“The students who apply for our scholarship each year are truly impressive. It’s encouraging to see so many young people committed to not only the environmental and engineering fields, but also to bettering their communities,” noted Katie Dillon, Nobis Group Director of Marketing and Chair of the firm’s Scholarship Committee. “It’s always a challenging task to pick the winners, but I know our committee considers it a great privilege to be a part of supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education.”
This year’s recipients include Massachusetts student Danny Tran of Lawrence High School and New Hampshire student Calla Kutschke of Nashua High School North. Tran and Kutschke are both at the top of their graduating classes and are pursuing higher education in the fields of Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering, respectively.
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Posted on May 17, 2023
New England’s Affordable Housing Shortage – Don’t Forget Our Seniors!
Authors: Peter Delano, PE – Senior Vice President | Associate & J. Christopher Nadeau, PE – Director of Commercial Services | Associate
We’ve all seen the news reports and articles explaining the need for more affordable housing choices in Massachusetts, and throughout all of New England, for that matter. Over the past several years, Millennials (those born between 1980-1994) have bought up a record number of homes due to year-after-year, ultra-low interest rate mortgage loans; and Generation Z (born 1995-2015) is now faced with greatly increasing housing costs and high rental rates against a low inventory. On top of all this, the Baby Boomer Generation (those born between 1946-1964) are now retiring at a rapid pace and seeking out a wide variety of senior housing options as well.
In Massachusetts alone, a shortage of more than 100,000 housing units was forecasted in 2022. When it comes to the aging “boomer” population’s housing needs, the issues that lie ahead are not “just” affordability and quantity. The challenge is much more complex. We must provide, with urgency, a solution for the very unique housing needs that our seniors will require at an ever-increasing rate: Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).
A CCRC can be defined broadly as a community that offers a full range of long-term housing, healthcare, and essential community services and amenities to its senior residents in a setting where their changing needs over time can be accommodated without having to move to a different facility or community. Also referred to as “aging in place” communities, this is what the majority of senior citizens desire most according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). And these “aging in place” communities are needed in both urban and suburban areas alike.
FIRST, THE NUMBERS:
By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be at least 65 years old. By 2034, the 65+ population will outnumber the number of children in the U.S. and the 85+ population will double from what it is today. Today, the 65+ U.S. population totals about 60 million and, by 2030, this number is expected to reach more than 71 million. These numbers illustrate how critical the need is to provide a massively increased number of CCRCs throughout New England.
Let’s take a look at some important site planning features that Planners, Architects, and Engineers must consider and incorporate into their design of these unique “aging in place” communities:
HOUSING UNIT FLEXIBILITY & CHOICE:
CCRCs should offer a mix of housing options including apartment rentals, condominiums, and detached/attached housing units. First floor and ADA accessible living, small-sized units, covered parking/garages, and additional space for live-in home health care aids, as well as the flexibility to move into different types of housing units within the CCRC as residents age are all critical considerations during planning and design.
AMENITIES:
Key CCRC amenities that must be accounted for in planning and design are access to healthcare, shared dining options, and social/recreational activity areas. Many CCRCs provide on-site healthcare clinics, dining halls, clubhouses, pool complexes, and more. The ability to provide these amenities requires an on-site workforce, workforce parking, and, oftentimes, additional related buildings and structures. Ease of access, wheelchair and mobility scooter access, and proximity to housing within the CCRC must be carefully accounted for during the site planning phase.
WELLNESS:
Promoting resident health and wellness and providing access to natural light with indoor and outdoor spaces for socialization and exercise are important site design features for an “aging in place” community, especially with quarantining and social distancing protocols that may still be in effect from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many CCRCs also offer specialized care for seniors affected by Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia including circular winding walking pathways, with a focus on sufficient site lighting, proper fencing, and carefully designing all pedestrian-vehicle interface areas.
SAFETY & ACCESS:
Site design layout for access into and throughout a CCRC must also carefully account for vehicle parking for visitors, employees, care providers, senior van shuttles, ambulances, and other emergency services. Design considerations for community access and exit points, whether to have controlled gated access or not, and having an accessible location and process to safely control and receive visitors are all critical design considerations for CCRCs and their residents.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities are not just a solution to our current “boomer” population’s critical housing needs – these communities are a long-term investment in the future of all generations, providing choice, independence, and dignity when it comes to aging in a safe, affordable, and supportive long-term housing community.
The effort to provide thoughtfully designed aging in place communities requires many key stakeholders to come together: our community leaders, elected politicians, developers, real estate professionals, and, of course, the Architecture & Engineering industry.
So, let’s get going because we’re not getting any younger.
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Posted on March 27, 2023
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the application process for our 2023 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship is open! Recognizing the potential of our next generation in helping to build a sustainable future, we are proud to offer scholarships to students who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We’re looking for high school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are pursuing post-secondary education in one of several STEM fields. Please see the application below for additional details and eligibility requirements.
Click here for Scholarship Application
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Posted on June 1, 2022
Nobis Group recently awarded scholarships to two 2022 high school graduates. Now in its fourth year, the Nobis scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school. Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM.
“The students who apply for our scholarship each year are truly impressive. It’s encouraging to see so many young people committed to not only the environmental and engineering fields, but also to bettering their communities,” noted Katie Dillon, Nobis Group Director of Marketing and Chair of the firm’s Scholarship Committee. “It’s always a challenging task to pick the winners, but I know our committee considers it a great privilege to be a part of supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education.”
This year’s recipients include Massachusetts student Morgan Bellavance of Methuen High School and New Hampshire student Alyssa Graber of Lebanon High School. Bellavance and Graber are pursuing higher education in the fields of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Science, respectively.
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Posted on March 1, 2022
Nobis Group, a 100% employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering and environmental solutions to clients throughout the Northeast, is pleased to announce that Adam Roy, LSP, CHMM has been named an Associate of the firm.
Roy, a Senior Project Manager with Nobis Group, is a credentialed Licensed Site Professional and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager experience with more than 20 years of success leading the investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment of numerous contaminated industrial, institutional, military, municipal, and Superfund sites throughout the eastern United States.
“Adam has proven himself to be expert at guiding clients and their projects through complex environmental regulations and review processes with a focus on delivering solutions that have greatly protected public health and our communities. His leadership and success have played an important role in Nobis’ growth over the years and it’s now very rewarding to see Adam mentoring other Nobis professionals to provide this same high caliber level of service and expertise to our clients,” stated Pete Delano, PE, Senior Vice President at Nobis Group.
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Posted on February 21, 2022
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the application process for our 2022 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship is open! Recognizing the potential of our next generation in helping to build a sustainable future, we are proud to offer scholarships to students who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We’re looking for high school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are pursuing post-secondary education in one of several STEM fields. Please see the application below for additional details and eligibility requirements.
Click here for Scholarship Application
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Posted on January 5, 2022
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Adams, PE and Pete Delano, PE to the company’s Board of Directors.
Adams joined Nobis Group in 1999 and brings 24 years of design, construction, and management related industry experience. He serves as Vice President of Operations where he oversees Nobis Group’s resources with a focus on technical growth, process efficiency, technology integration, and overall project delivery excellence.
Delano joined Nobis Group in 1995 and serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales where he’s responsible for shaping and leading Nobis Group’s overall strategic growth and business development initiatives. Delano brings 36 years of management, executive, and business development industry experience.
“I’m extremely pleased to have both Chris and Pete as new Directors on the Board. Both have played a big part in Nobis’s success over many years. And, as Nobis now aims for further growth as a 100% employee-owned company, their continued leadership will be key,” said Ken Koornneef, Nobis CEO and Board Chairman. Kirk Leoni, CPA and Roseline Bougher, President of A.D. Marble & Company, continue to serve on Nobis Group’s Board, also as Directors.
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Posted on November 29, 2021
Nobis Group is pleased to announce that the firm has achieved its longstanding goal of becoming a 100% employee-owned company. An award-winning engineering and environmental services company, Nobis Group was founded by Nannu Nobis in 1988 and has been providing expertise and solutions for public and private sector clients throughout the United States for over 30 years.
“This is a very exciting and important moment, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Nobis Group,” noted Ken Koornneef, PE, President & CEO of Nobis Group. “As employee-owners, we’re all in it together to continue the growth and success of the company and we’re so proud to be able to carry forward Nannu’s lasting legacy. We’re all very grateful for the vision Nannu had back in 2003 when he first established our employee stock ownership plan, and for his steadfast commitment throughout the years to stay the course towards achieving 100% employee-ownership.”
Nannu Nobis has stepped down as the firm’s Board Chairman, but will serve in an advisory role to assist with the ownership transition.
“The company is now in the hands of a talented and dedicated group of employee-owners and leaders. They’ve built a vibrant workplace culture delivering customized solutions for our clients that improve our communities and benefit our environment,” stated Nobis. “I could not be more proud of or confident in the future of Nobis Group.”
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Posted on August 17, 2021
Author: Alfred Jones, PE – Director of Geotechnical Services
A micropile is a small-diameter, drilled-in-place deep foundation that is generally installed by advancing steel casing with a drill rig and creating a bond zone beyond the depth of the casing. A threaded steel center bar is then installed to the bottom of hole and the entire bar is fully grouted along its length.
Micropiles have been around since the 1950’s, although it is only over the last 20 to 30 years that their use has become extremely prevalent. Micropiles can be used to support large buildings, bridges, and even provide support of excavations. There are several reasons why I like micropiles as a go-to deep foundation alternative.
Reason #1: Load Testing – Load testing is relatively easy to perform on a micropile because tension load tests can be performed by pulling on the threaded center bar. A reaction frame or reaction piles are not required as the ground acts as the reaction. These tests are consequently quicker to perform and much less expensive than compression load tests on other deep foundations where either reaction piles or reaction blocks are necessary. The pile bond lengths can be adjusted depending on the load test results, saving a client unnecessary cost. Additionally, due to the simplicity of the test, proof testing is often performed on production piles to further confirm pile capacities.
Almost half of the static load tests I have monitored on various pile types throughout my career did not attain their expected capacity. This is why I put the ability to easily load test at the top of this list.
Reason #2: Small Equipment – Equipment used to install micropiles can be small enough to allow installation indoors or in low headroom environments such as beneath bridges or beneath overhead utility lines. The drill rigs are also lighter which can help with drilling adjacent to retaining walls or excavations. This versatility allows micropiles to be used in situations that many other deep foundations can’t.
Reason #3: Can Get Through Anything – Micropiles are a drilled foundation that have the capability to penetrate most obstructions including cobbles, boulders, concrete, and even metal in some cases. Obstructions are a concern for the installation of almost all other non-shallow foundation types including driven piles, drilled shafts, and even ground improvement. When utilizing micropiles on a project, you’ll take comfort in knowing that obstructions should not significantly impact your project and you will not be subject to the associated change orders that other foundation systems would when encountering obstructions.
Reason #4: High Capacity – Micropiles can obtain extremely high capacity in certain bearing conditions through skin friction. Capacities of roughly 500 tons can be obtained by micropiles with bond zones that are embedded into a strong rock. High capacities (up to about 100 tons) are also possible in some dense soils like glacial till.
Reason #5: Versatility – Lastly, micropiles are extremely versatile. They come in many different casing sizes and thicknesses, and the threaded center bar can be as large as almost 4 inches in diameter! A smaller casing can be installed within a larger-diameter exterior casing to increase vertical capacity and moment resistance. They can be installed at a batter to increase lateral load resistance and can be used under both compression and tension. They are ideal in areas where vibrations are a concern and can even be installed through existing bridge abutments to increase load capacity. There really aren’t many instances where micropiles cannot be used.
These are five very strong reasons to use (or at least consider using) micropiles on your next project. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the drawbacks of micropiles. First, they tend to be one of the most expensive deep foundation types and sometimes casing sizes and wall thicknesses are not readily available. Also, significant spoil is often generated from the drilling and grouting process that may require special disposal. Finally, they take longer to install than other deep foundation types. Because of these reasons, there are many applications where micropiles don’t make sense, but they are certainly one of my go-to foundation types when evaluating a site for deep foundations.
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Posted on July 20, 2021
Author: Brett Kay – Director of Civil Engineering Services
In this fast-paced, almost-post-pandemic world, creating and maintaining a leadership culture within an organization has never been more important, more challenging, or more rewarding than it is today. Here are ten keys to establishing and maintaining a leadership culture within a group (in no particular order):
1. Empower staff at all levels: Create an environment where staff feel empowered and are willing to take the lead on projects and tasks. Don’t just empower those who report to you, empower your peers and co-workers at all levels within the company.
2. Commit and follow through: Each time we commit and follow through it builds trust and respect with our staff.
3. Delegate, coach, and mentor: Each of these activities is different, but equally important for staff development.
4. Encourage collaboration: Frequent communication and feedback between project team members and throughout the ranks is essential to the success of a project, daily operations, and a healthy team.
5. Trust, but verify: As staff take on new roles, responsibilities, and tasks, it is important to trust, but verify so they don’t get lost in the storm. Managers should conduct frequent check-ins with staff on progress, schedules, and resource needs.
6. Celebrate the wins (all sizes): Don’t wait to receive the permits or for the check to clear before celebrating the successes of a project. Make time throughout the project to celebrate the wins at a smaller level. Everyone likes feedback.
7. Be fair, honest, and consistent: Don’t play favorites – treat all team members equally and fairly. Recognize that you may need to customize your communication method and delivery for each person, but being honest and transparent builds trust and respect. Staff will be more comfortable and open when they know how you are going to respond, so consistency is key.
8. Mistakes are not failures, they are learning opportunities: Take the uncomfortable deep dive into how and why a project or certain tasks were unsuccessful or struggled with and then discuss it openly and honestly so you and your team can learn from it.
9. Build on people’s strengths: We are all different and bring a variety of skills to the table. Identify what people do best and build on it.
10. Last, but not least, practice what you preach: Actions speak louder than words and people are always watching, so do what you say and say what you do.
The old school mentality of leadership being something that can only develop from years of experience is a thing of the past. If we stand around and wait for staff to become great leaders via the timescale then we will lose important members of our staff and fall behind the competition. Play an active role every day to foster growth and leadership throughout your group. Everybody can be a leader at something and recognizing this and understanding how to use an individual’s strengths to help them grow will create a highly functional team that’s happy, productive, motivated to work together, and committed to success.
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Posted on June 30, 2021
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Jennifer Lambert, PG to Director of Environmental Services of the firm’s New Hampshire environmental group. Lambert, a Senior Hydrogeologist and Associate of the firm, offers over 17 years of experience completing complex environmental investigation and remediation projects throughout the Northeast.
In the role of Director, Lambert will ensure that her environmental team is supported with the resources they need to continue delivering valued and exceptional technical solutions to Nobis Group’s diverse and growing set of clients.
“We have a fantastic group of scientists, geologists, and engineers here at Nobis, and I’m looking forward to leading my team and making sure they have the support they need to continue their professional growth,” stated Lambert.
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Posted on May 10, 2021
Nobis Group recently awarded scholarships to two 2021 high school graduates. Now in its third year, the Nobis scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school. Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals who are tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM.
“Reading through each application, we get to see so many different backgrounds and experiences that have inspired these young men and women to become interested in environmental and engineering fields,” said Katie Dillon, Nobis Group Marketing Manager and Chair of the firm’s Scholarship Committee. “It is always a difficult task to pick the winners, but I know our scholarship committee considers it a great privilege to be a part of supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education.”
2021 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship recipients include Massachusetts student Edmire Kabia of Lowell High School and New Hampshire student Neil Kachappilly of Nashua High School South. Kabia and Kachappilly are pursuing higher education in the fields of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, respectively. The students met with Nobis President & CEO Ken Koornneef and Senior Vice President Pete Delano at the firm’s NH and MA offices to receive their scholarships.
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Posted on February 23, 2021
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
We are constantly bombarded with bad news. A pandemic hijacked 2020. We are told our elections were manipulated by sinister powers. With our continued reliance on fossil fuels, the world inches closer to a run-away climate meltdown.
But amongst all this doom and gloom, there are glimmers of hope. Extremely effective vaccines capable of eradicating COVID are currently being administered. And human ingenuity continues to deliver devices capable of creating enormous amounts of clean, carbon-free renewable energy.
The latest entry into this new world of mega-producing energy devices is General Electric’s colossal Haliade-X wind turbine. It has a wingspan of two football fields and produces 13 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough energy from one single unit to power up to 12,000 homes! In comparison, the Haliade-X produces nearly 30 times the amount of power generated by the first commercial wind turbines installed during the early 1990s. And just when you thought this technology had matured, there are already plans to build units that will dwarf this present-day giant. As the saying goes, “success breeds competition”… bring it on!
We New Englanders have an incredible opportunity to make significant reductions in our overall global carbon footprint. Vast amounts of wind energy resources have been discovered off our coastline. How much wind energy? Enough to satisfy all of New England’s electrical needs, and more… a lot more! Most importantly, these offshore wind resources are reliable, meaning they will produce maximum output nearly 70% of the time.
When we’re able to make renewable energy contributions at this scale, there’s real hope that we actually can blunt the effects of climate change. However, the issue remains – will we fast track this technology? Or will we oppose efforts to deploy this significant tool in our arsenal of renewable energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions?
With our self-imposed red tape regulations and “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) judicial challenges, current estimates are that these wind resources will take five to ten years to receive approval. We need to do all we can to speed up our regulatory process and get these renewable resources on-line. We have the technology to save the planet, now all we need is the will to get it done!
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Posted on February 19, 2021
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the application process for our 2021 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship is open! Recognizing the potential of our next generation in helping to build a sustainable future, we are proud to offer scholarships to students who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We’re looking for high school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are pursuing post-secondary education in one of several STEM fields. Please see the application below for additional details and eligibility requirements.
Scholarship Application
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Posted on January 19, 2021
Nobis Group is pleased to announce the selection of two new Associates: Brett Kay, Director of Civil Engineering Services and Jennifer Lambert, PG, Senior Hydrogeologist.
Kay, who has been with the firm for 18 years, leads Nobis Group’s civil engineering team and currently oversees the company’s Elizabeth Copper Mine Superfund Site project in South Strafford, VT – one of the largest historic copper mine sites in New England. “Brett has played an integral part in shaping Nobis’ outstanding company culture. He’s a natural leader and mentor, always focused on the professional growth of his entire team,” notes Christopher Adams, PE, Vice President of Operations at Nobis Group.
Lambert offers 17 years of experience completing complex environmental investigation and remediation projects and currently manages Nobis Group’s On-Call Contaminated & Hazardous Materials Services Contract for the NHDOT. Andrew Boeckeler, PG, Vice President of Engineering and Science at Nobis Group describes Lambert as an outstanding and talented professional committed to delivering technical excellence to the firm’s clients. “Internally, she strives to innovate and improve our technical expertise and offerings as leader of the company’s Technical Development Team. This quality makes her an invaluable addition to the Associates group.”
Pictured: on left – Brett Kay, Director of Civil Engineering Services; on right – Jennifer Lambert, PG, Senior Hydrogeologist.
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Posted on September 22, 2020
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
Over my career in the renewable energy sector, I’ve been to countless public hearings in front of planning boards, zoning boards, and City councils. As I walk around and talk to people before these meetings start, most everyone in the room typically describe themselves as devout “conservationists” and “environmentalists”. They proudly proclaim they want to stop global warming so that they can pass along a better planet to their children and grandchildren. Then the meeting starts and these very same attendees supporting “anything green” transform into opponents staunchly against the development of the proposed renewable energy project in “their” town!
As you listen to public testimony, you often hear stories of how local families have grown accustomed to living beside open fields and wooded lots and how, over the years, they’ve enjoyed hiking, sledding, and walking their dogs – albeit on someone else’s property. And now, because that greedy property owner has the audacity to propose a solar farm, the once cozy relationship between landowner and neighbor quickly falls apart. It’s quite sad to see those who had always pretended to be “good friends” with that property owner get up in public and say things like, “How dare the landowner (who, by proposing a renewable energy project, is actually doing something to combat climate change) take away my rights to continue enjoying open lands just to install silly solar panels!”. And then, the inevitable hypocritical killer line of all time, “I consider myself an environmentalist, but this is ridiculous!”.
The reality is that scenarios like these are no longer an anomaly, they’ve become the norm. Regulatory boards have forgotten that property owners have rights too! Just because locals have become “accustomed” to utilizing someone else’s property for their own pleasure and enjoyment doesn’t mean they get to decide how the actual owner uses it in the future. Or do they?
More often than not, I’m seeing owners’ property rights challenged and renewable energy projects denied. If local residents can’t derail projects via intimidation and aggression towards regulatory boards, they introduce petitions at the ballot box and essentially change laws to stop renewable energy projects.
The bottom line is this. If you “talk the talk” about caring for our environment, then you have to “walk the walk” and support these renewable energy projects. Remember that rallying call, “Think Globally, Act Locally”. Well, now you have an opportunity to make change locally that will have a dramatic, positive global impact. We must support local renewable energy projects and support those landowners who are doing the right thing by allowing their lands to be used to save the planet. If we’re going to leave this world a better place, then we need more clean renewable energy and less hypocrisy!
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Posted on July 22, 2020
Nobis Group has been named New Hampshire’s Business of the Decade in engineering and construction by Business NH Magazine and the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. This prestigious award is bestowed upon companies who exemplify leadership within their industry and contribution to their communities.
“This award belongs to all of us here at Nobis and I am incredibly proud of the dedicated and talented employee-owners that make up our dynamic Nobis team,” said Kenneth Koornneef, President & CEO of Nobis Group.
Having received the Business of the Year Award in 2011, Nobis Group was invited to compete with all other Business of the Year recipients in engineering and construction from 2011-2019. Determined by a panel of nearly 50 judges through two rounds of scoring, Business of the Decade winners were announced in nine categories including Engineering & Construction; Education & Nonprofit; Financial Services & Insurance; Health Care; Manufacturing & Technology; Hospitality & Tourism; Retail & Wholesale; Business Services; and Business Assistance.
“This is an outstanding recognition of the Nobis team’s long and deep commitment to addressing our clients’ challenges and the needs of our local communities,” stated Nannu Nobis, founder of Nobis Group. “It takes many years, yet it happens every day at Nobis.”
Award recipients are featured in the July 2020 issue of Business NH Magazine and will be recognized at a ceremony on October 13th.
Congratulations to all Business of the Decade Award Recipients!
Business Services: McLane Middleton (Manchester, NH)
Education/Nonprofit: Catholic Charities NH (Manchester, NH)
Financial Services/Insurance: Bank of NH (Laconia, NH)
Health Care: Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association (Rochester, NH)
Hospitality/Tourism: Great NH Restaurants (Bedford, NH)
Manufacturing/Technology: Hypertherm (Hanover, NH)
Retail/Wholesale: Palmer Gas & Oil (Atkinson, NH)
Business Assistance Organization: NH Small Business Development Center (Durham, NH)
Read more on Business NH Magazine’s website here.
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Posted on July 16, 2020
Nobis Group recently awarded scholarships to three 2020 high school graduates. Now in its second year, the Nobis scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school.
2020 Nobis Group STEM Scholarship recipients include New Hampshire students Jessica Janinda of Hopkinton High School and Alexandra Topic of Manchester Central High School and Massachusetts student Helena Koch of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. Janinda, Topic, and Koch are pursuing higher education in the fields of Biology & Human Science, Computer Science & Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals who are tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM. This year the firm received 55 applications – nearly four times as many as were received in 2019 – and increased the number of awards from two students in its first year to three this year.
Pictured: on left – Alexandra Topic; on right – Helena Koch.
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Posted on July 15, 2020
By Sean Colella, PE, Project Engineer
It’s safe to say that “business as usual” is a distant future that we can only hope comes back into our lives this year or early next year. These are challenging times for us all, and there’s no denying it. Most of us are required to work from home, turning dining room tables into office space and possibly sharing the house with your spouse who is also working from home. Those who were deemed essential workers found themselves with extremely tight health restrictions when PPE was in high demand and in short supply. Not to mention the additional stress and consequences of isolation for children and adults.
Now that states are starting to open industries in discrete phases, let’s take a look back at how state agencies and local municipalities responded to the health crisis and quickly adapted to continue reviewing projects and therefore promoting development in their respective cities and towns.
For as long as I can remember, preparing for an application submittal to the local municipality felt like preparing for your master’s thesis. In some municipalities, it was required to submit more than ten (10) copies of the site plan application, supporting documents, maps and full size (24”x36”) Site Plan drawings. The majority of our Site Plan drawings incorporate ten or more pages, the amount of paper starts to accumulate …. fast! This process is time consuming and utilizes valuable time and effort from our engineers, not to mention these packages typically are hand delivered directly to the municipality. This means even more time away from design efforts.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the public offices immediately followed the required actions mandated by the governing bodies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire respectively. This meant closing their offices to the public with some municipalities still closed to this day. This effectively forced engineers and developers to find new methods to submit applications and/or design drawings, hence the advent of electronic submittals. Electronic submittals, in PDF formats, are more efficient, economical and considered complete as long as all documents are accounted for. This creates an advantage for consultants as we can now respond and submit materials the same day, sometimes in hours, to keep the applications on schedule with the planning or zoning boards.
In times when social distancing and self-quarantine was the new normal, it would have been a risky decision to meet with the applicants/clients personally to gather original signatures on the application materials, as was typically required by the municipalities. Original signatures were challenging enough, not to mention if the applicant was on holiday, travelling, or lived out of state. This specific requirement would often delay the local application if the board decided it was incomplete, pushing the schedule up to one month in some areas. With the technology we have at our fingertips today, application signatures can be obtained in a matter of hours. We owe a great deal to the local municipalities who have been flexible with their standard requirements.
Perhaps the most critical item during this whole application process was, and still is, planning/zoning board meetings and public hearings where abutters and residents can voice their concerns or comments for or against the proposed project. Due to the state mandated limit on social gatherings, the municipalities had to act quickly! Some did flawlessly, moving to virtual meeting platforms such as GoToMeeting, Zoom, or Facebook Live. Others did not move to the virtual platform as efficiently, and some of our project schedules were directly impacted. The public meetings were still noticed by the city or town to the direct abutters and residents in advance of the meeting and a media format was prioritized for public to weigh-in on the projects. It was, and will always be, a right of the abutter to have a voice in their respective city or town when it comes to development or redevelopment in their direct neighborhood.
A clear advantage to the virtual meeting platform is the overall efficiency with which the applicants, developers and engineers are able to move through the meetings. No more travel to and from the town offices, which in some locations are over an hour away. These days, we can log in to the meeting platform for our application to be heard, give a quick project summary, and field any questions from the public or city/town board members. All this can typically be accomplished in an hour or less, depending on the complexity of the project and the knowledge of the particular city/town boards.
It was common procedure for the local municipalities to gather comments from all town departments including engineering, water department, DPW, conservation commission, zoning board of appeals and planning board, to name a few. These comments were consolidated in a single formal document which was then mailed or emailed to the consulting engineer, owner and applicant(s) for review. This was often very time consuming and did not allow the consulting engineer ample time to revise the Site Plan drawings or draft a formal response letter to the local municipality in advance of the next meeting. With the transition to formal comments being received via email, there is now a huge advantage to respond with a much quicker turnaround time, therefore limiting the number of meetings and public hearings required to approve the application, tightening the projected permit schedule(s).
As with all transitions, there were bound to be some growing pains as a direct result of the COVID-19 situation. As was anticipated, there were some technology challenges, whether it was human error, unfamiliar with virtual platforms, or simple lack of technology in some remote towns of New Hampshire. Owners, applicants and consulting engineers showed extreme patience during this recent transition period. We are definitely trending in the right direction and with each new passing week we are seeing more progress and better procedures within the local municipalities. Nothing has rung truer to me than the current attitude and corresponding statement, “We are all in this together.” So, let’s make the most of this situation and strive for a little progress every day.
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Posted on June 9, 2020
By Sean McDowell, PE, Project Engineer
Collaboration efforts should be made at the onset of planning a project. All the major players should be part of the decision-making process including owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. By getting the team in place early on, you will be able to agree on the details of the project and plan for issues that arise.
Waiting to include major players in the process could increase total project costs, delay your project, or even keep the project from ever happening. Let’s run through a few examples to illustrate the importance of collaboration in land development.
Example 1: The owner purchases a property, then hires a civil engineer to survey the lot and begin the local permitting process. It might have been in the owner’s best interest to invest $1,000 for a civil engineer to prepare a due diligence report on the property prior to purchase. The due diligence work may have determined several local zoning variances required for the development, the property covered with wetlands, it is home to several endangered species, and/or the property has poorly drained soils. Had these issues been identified upfront, maybe the owner would have passed on the property or factored these land development hurdles into the purchase price.
Example 2: The owner expresses a tight construction schedule for redevelopment of an elementary school. The construction must be completed before school resumes in September. The contractor was on board during the design process and informs the team that due to COVID, manufacturing and shipping for certain items, like a transformer, is taking longer than usual. The design team provides the transformer information to the contractor before the design is 100% complete to place an early order. The order was placed 6 weeks earlier than usual and keeps the construction schedule on target for a September opening.
Beyond just project planning, land development is a competitive industry. Each stakeholder tends to have their own agenda, which might include making a name for themselves, earning profits for the company, or reducing liability. Team members are frequently more interested in meeting short-term individual and project goals rather than long-term end goals.
Most land development projects follow the traditional design-bid-build method. This often defines how to work on individual segments of the project but does not tie the individual effects together cohesively. This gives team members different, and often narrow, perspectives that foster adversarial solutions. Each member of the team is forced to compete with the others to earn a profit.
Don’t think short-sighted when it comes to your project. From initial project planning through construction can take years on a single project. When teams work well together, they may choose to work together again and again, potentially lasting your entire career. Use a long-term mentality and build strong relationships with other members of the team.
Just knowing the benefits of collaboration won’t improve the outcome of your land development projects, it’s time to act!
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Posted on May 28, 2020
Lori Cox, PE, Nobis Environmental Project Engineer, traveled to Uganda in January 2020 with the New Hampshire Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, who work with community-based organizations in over 35 countries to improve energy, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, and water supply infrastructure.
The NH Professional Chapter was founded in 2015 and has partnered with Busoga Volunteers for Community Development to help provide water supply wells to nine villages in eastern Uganda. Wells have already been installed in five villages with another two planned for later this year. During Cox’s trip, they assessed the conditions of wells that had been installed, surveyed community members about their health and well use, and met the student pump mechanics who help maintain the village wells.
According to Cox, “There is still so much need for development of clean, reliable water sources. The Ugandan government’s goal is to have one well for every 25 households, and the new wells in our partner villages serve between 100 and 200 households.”
Pictured above: Pump mechanic and students in the process of pulling downhole components for inspection and repair.
You can learn more about Engineers Without Borders here: https://www.ewb-usa.org/ and the NH Professional Chapter here: https://www.ewbnh.org/
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Posted on May 19, 2020
By Alyssa Epstein, Project Scientist
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is the first step in completing environmental due diligence on a prospective property and is generally completed prior to purchase or refinancing. Sometimes this assessment is required by a bank to protect their investment prior to issuing a loan.
The standards for a Phase I ESA are established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The assessment includes review of Federal, State, and local databases and records, a site inspection, and interviews with owners, occupants, neighbors, and/or local government officials to identify if any environmental liability from existing contamination or a potential release of contaminants exists at the Site. These would be considered recognized environmental conditions (RECs).
Results of the Phase I ESA drive future environmental assessments. No further assessment is required if insignificant or no RECs are identified; however, an ASTM Phase II investigation would be warranted if significant RECs are present. The Phase II includes intrusive investigations such as advancement of soil borings to install monitoring wells and evaluate subsurface conditions, laboratory testing of soil and groundwater samples to determine actual levels of contamination, and/or geophysical testing (ground penetrating radar, metal detector, etc.) to identify subsurface structures (i.e. underground storage tanks or vaults) that may be sources for contamination.
Analytical testing – Pros and Cons
Analytical testing should be tailored to site-specific RECs to determine which compounds to include for analysis. Laboratory results will help further determine liability due to environmental conditions by quantifying levels of specific contaminants; however, know that specific compound concentrations may trigger additional site investigations, remedial action requirements, and involvement by the State regulatory agencies. This is often a Catch-22, as the buyer often wants to know exactly what they’re getting into, but the seller doesn’t want to be open to additional risk/remediation costs should the sale not go through. It’s not uncommon for the seller to limit Phase II investigations including laboratory testing since State-agency involvement often REQUIRES additional and costly remediation and navigation through the state regulations and sometimes the presence of contamination devalues the property (although this is not as common as it was 10 or 20 years ago). Be sure to work with your environmental professional to help leverage the appropriate level of pre-sale investigations that helps both protect you and moves the sale forward.
Additional Considerations – Site Buildings
Aside from potential soil and groundwater contamination, hazardous building materials may be present within building materials; therefore, a hazardous building materials survey (HBMS) may be warranted if a property already has a building. Municipalities often require an HBMS prior to issuing a demolition or renovation permit, so performance of an HBMS should be considered prior to site redevelopment if major changes to the building structure is planned.
The HBMS will locate and quantify hazardous materials within the building envelope. These typically include asbestos containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, mold, and other universal wastes present in the building(s). The intent of the HBMS is to identify materials where regulations prescribe specific handling and disposal requirements to protect human and environmental health. Abatement and removal of these materials can be costly; therefore, results of the HBMS may affect overall project budget and influence sale price.
Often materials included in the HBMS are misunderstood. Here are some common misconceptions for materials typically identified:
- Asbestos was widely used in building materials from the early 1900s to 1978, and it was used in many more products than the typical pipe or boiler insulation most people associate with asbestos. Suspect materials include wall board, floor tile, caulking, roofing materials, joint compound, and even plaster. Due to health effects, asbestos was prohibited via a series of bans that culminated in 1978, although use of specific asbestos products is still permitted even today. Because of this, there is no exemption for an asbestos survey due to building age.
- PCBs were banned from production in 1979; however, until then they were commonly used in hydraulic and dielectric oils and fluids found in transformers, garage lifts, and fluorescent light ballast. In addition, PCBS were added to building materials such as caulking to serve as a plasticizer to keep the material soft and flexible and to paint to provide resiliency in wet applications (such as wet wells, pump houses, and even swimming pools). There are no regulations that obligate to test for PCBs; however, the handling and disposal of PCB containing materials are regulated by EPA. This catch-all often prompts testing for PCBs to adequately characterize the waste stream. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations require abatement of PCB containing materials if PCBs are detected above certain thresholds, so Nobis recommends testing for PCBs only if you are certain the project will move forward (we generally avoid PCB testing during a feasibility study but promote it prior to developing design documents/specifications).
- LBP abatement requirements are dictated by the reuse scenario. The presence of LBP is much more regulated in residential structures. Lead screening results are not only used to assess lead levels for proper material handling and disposal, they are also used to calculate worker exposure levels for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance. OSHA regulations typically dictate lead handling procedures since their regulations mandate safe handling of materials that contain any level of lead greater than 0.0 mg/cm2 (vs EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) regulations that identify LBP as a material that contains lead equal to or greater than 1.0 mg/cm2). Note that most pre-demolition/renovation lead surveys do not meet HUD requirements for a residential use scenario.
- It’s obvious that chemicals stored in the building (paints, cleaners, etc.) need proper handling and disposal, but other universal wastes and regulated materials such as mercury containing components (switches and fluorescent light bulbs), battery-powered components (emergency lights, exit signs, and alarm systems), and even water fountains and computer monitors may require special handling and disposal prior to renovation/demolition.
The presence of environmental contamination and hazardous building materials can add significant cost to your site development or renovation project. Due diligence and proper pre-characterization can help limit liability and costly change orders, and pre-planning can help keep a project on schedule.
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Posted on May 13, 2020
A Recommended Pandemic Planning Approach for Business
By Jeremy Wherren, CSP, CHMM, CMQ/OE, Corporate Health and Safety Officer
The amount of COVID-19 information and guidance for your business to follow and monitor can be overwhelming. Especially if your business operates in multiple geographic regions by which there are distinctly different guidance or requirements for your operations to adhere to. If your business has not developed a pandemic preparedness plan in some form, it should. The plan provides your business a framework which can help be prepared during times of confusion.
The next two posts outline a planning framework which could help your business maintain a roadmap to better manage changing requirements affecting your operations to prevent COVID-19 spread (or any future pandemic) to your employees and customers/visitors.
While this framework does not constitute all the elements of a formal written pandemic preparedness plan (e.g. communications planning, incident management, roles and responsibilities etc.) This framework provides a backbone for your business’s formal written plans to manage pandemic preparedness and response.
This will be presented in a stepped approach which also includes an example document to use as a guide for your business planning. The primary steps of this process include the following:
1. Identify Essential Operations from Non-Essential Operations
2. Conduct a Risk Assessment
3. Establish Applicable Control Measures
4. Develop a Staged Approach for Control Measure Implementation
This post will present steps one through three. Step four along with an example, which will include an example document to use as a guide for your pandemic planning, will be presented in a follow-up post.
To best understand how this planning framework is designed, it is important to understand the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) Pandemic Interval Framework.
Introduction to the Pandemic Interval Framework
The World Health Organization (WHO) also uses a pandemic influenza phase framework, which can be used to describe and communicate worldwide disease progression and can provide a general view of the emerging situation around the world.
In the United States, the CDC created the Pandemic Intervals Network designed to align with the WHO framework. For the purposes of planning for potential pandemics, the six intervals (Investigation, Recognition, Initiation, Acceleration, Deceleration, and Preparation) represent events that occur along a hypothetical pandemic curve. These intervals are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Hypothetical Pandemic Curve
Graphic Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/national-strategy/intervals-framework.html
As we have seen with COVID-19, pandemic curve shape (correlative to impact) can differ depending on the geographic area in which they occur, population demographics, population density, climate, social preventative tactics utilized preemptively ahead of community spread in a given area, and many other factors.
The CDC intervals are flexible enough to accommodate pandemic progression to allow for local, state, and federal actions appropriate to region specific conditions (e.g. a state or locality with cases versus a state or locality with no cases but that is close to an area with cases). These intervals, in combination with monitoring state and local guidance, can be aligned with how and when a business should ramp up or ramp down its preparedness contingencies. Below is a stepped approach to develop and establish a planning framework to achieve this goal.
Step 1 – Identify Essential Operations from Nonessential Operations
Even if a governmental order deems your business essential or nonessential, chances are internally there is a hierarchy of operational need to sustain your business. It is important to assess your operations into essential and nonessential buckets for pandemic planning purposes. This will allow the business to prioritize its operational needs and establish applicable measures to help keep essential operations sustained for as long as possible. During this operational review, existing work and emergency procedures to maintain critical operations should also be evaluated and ensure competent staff depth with knowledge to operate essential operations is adequate.
Step 2 – Conduct a Risk Assessment
It is important for each employer to conduct a risk assessment of its employees to understand the hazards and exposure potential. To assist employers, the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 to help employers prepare the workplace. On May 10, 2020, WHO published risk-based guidance closely aligned with OSHA which may be helpful to businesses. The level of risk depends on a variety of factors including industry type and the need for contact within 6 feet of potentially infected persons. To help employers determine appropriate precautions, OSHA divided job tasks into four risk exposure levels: very high, high, medium, and lower risk whereas WHO does not include a very high level.
Once the risks are ascertained for employees in the types of operations identified and grouped in Step 1 above, applicable control measures can be established for each risk level identified. OSHA believes that most businesses will fall within low and medium level exposures.
Step 3 – Establish Applicable Control Measures
Once the risks to your business are established, applicable control measures need to be applied to mitigate the risks. There is a plethora of informational sources available to establish control measures from. Below are some recommended publicly available sources.
1. Review your state and local reopening requirements. Align your measures with those plans. The National Governors Association website is a great resource to see a high level of all state reopening strategies.
2. OSHA: COVID-19 Control and Prevention Website
3. WHO: Considerations for Public Health and Social Measures in the Workplace in the Context of COVID-19
4. American Industrial Hygiene Association: COVID-19 Resource Page with Multi Sector Guidance Documents
5. CDC: COVID-19 Planning and Prep Guidance for COVID-19
Step 4 – Create a Staged Approach for Control Measure Implementation
With Steps 1-3 completed, there now should be a hierarchy of control measures applied to identified essential and nonessential operations with applicable control measures assigned. This information can be organized in a staged framework in alignment with the intervals of the pandemic. Step four along with an example, which will include an example document to use as a guide for your pandemic planning, will be presented in a follow-up post soon.
Should your business (small to large) need assistance with pandemic planning, COVID-19 safety procedures, risk assessments, or related EHS compliance support, Nobis Group is here to help. Please reach out to me anytime at jwherren@nobis-group.com should you have any questions or needs.
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Posted on May 5, 2020
By Justin Vanotti, Staff Engineer
A geotechnical subsurface exploration program is crucial to any construction project because subsurface conditions are highly variable and can change drastically over short distances. Moreover, subsurface conditions can drive the design of a foundation system. For example, you would not want to construct typical shallow spread footings on compressible soils that will be susceptible to excessive settlement. Likewise, knowing the depth of fill or topsoil at a site is important; you do not want to be removing more than necessary as it can become costly. This information would be presented in boring logs, typically completed by a field engineer on-site. It is important to know and understand what the boring logs and subsurface results are telling you. This means recognizing where strata transitions may occur and what those strata or soil layers consist of. There are several ways to decipher subsurface logs and having a better understanding of them will help improve the design of the structure, roadway, or other construction projects where earthwork will occur. Below are some of the ways subsurface data can be analyzed and, hopefully, make it easier the next time someone sends a subsurface boring log your way. It’s a lot more than just dirt!
First, it is crucial to review historical geotechnical data of the site. This includes existing boring logs from the site or nearby sites, or possibly a surficial geology map of the area. Sometimes fill, granular soils, or possibly even glacial till can visually appear similar. Reviewing historical geotechnical data helps introduce you to what may have been previously encountered at the site and recorded in the boring logs. It can also be helpful to understand what past construction, if any, was performed. This can be useful when determining a depth of fill material and knowing where natural soils are located. Once you understand the types of subsurface soils that may have been encountered previously, you will be better able to understand what type of soil may be present at your site.
Next, the blow counts recorded in a boring log can also be good indicators of soil transitions. Geotechnical soil samples are collected by driving a hollow split-spoon (metal cylinder) into the soils with a 140-pound hammer. The number of hammer-strikes over 6-inches is counted and recorded. Generally, soil samples are collected over 18- to 24-inches, so a sample typically has three to four blow counts. For example, a sample driven about 24 inches could be as follows: 3, 4, 13, and 11. From these numbers, it appears the first twelves inches were softer, requiring only three and four blows, respectively, to move the split spoon 6 inches. Conversely, the next 12 inches were denser, indicated by the increase in blows needed to move the sampler 6 inches. This could mean there is a soil transition after the first 12-inches. Soil transitions are not always hard transitions as described in the example above but can occur gradually over depth. It is also important to pay attention to notes included in boring logs. Notes about wash color change, drilling action, or possible drilling fluid loss can provide clues regarding the subsurface conditions.
Soil color is also useful in evaluating soil transitions. For instance, natural sands may be lighter in color, while fill soils are often darker in nature due to presence
of organics and debris.
Having a photograph of each sample can be tremendously helpful. Most field staff will take a photo of soil and rock samples with a measuring tape and a jar lid with sample information to identify where the sample came from and at what depth. This is most utilized in the Quality Assurance and Quality Control phase of producing geotechnical data. Recently, the geotechnical engineers at Nobis have been providing sample photos for some projects with our geotechnical data as it allows clients to view a sample as it is collected in the field. The photos help clients see the color of the sample and in some cases the different grain sizes of the soil.
Besides soil strata, it is also important to have accurate information on depth to groundwater. As water can drastically affect how soil behaves, it can also drastically change the design of a foundation system. Construction is generally performed in dry soil conditions, so if groundwater is relatively shallow it can have a significant effect on the dewatering measures required at the site. Determining seasonal high groundwater is also a good indicator as to how high in a subsurface profile groundwater can reach. The oxygen in groundwater can react with and oxidize soil, resulting in orange staining of soil. This orange staining can be a good determination of the seasonal high groundwater level. The orange staining can sometimes appear as striping or intermittent spotting, called mottling or mottled soil, which is also a good indicator of a seasonal groundwater table.
One of the most direct ways to help decipher subsurface data is from laboratory testing analyses. Generally, particle size analysis or a sieve will be the easiest way to determine how much fine material (fines) versus coarse material is in a sample. If a sample has high fines, such as a clay or silt, there are other lab testing analyses that can be performed to help determine the physical properties of that sample. For example, a clay sample could be submitted for compressibility and/or strength testing. Knowing such information helps when designing a foundation system as its engineering properties can be more accurately modeled.
As is the nature of the business, subsurface conditions can vary significantly over short distances. Therefore, it is important to accurately interpret the results of a geotechnical exploration program. Utilizing the several ways highlighted above can help make it easier to assess subsurface material at a site.
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Posted on April 28, 2020
Practical Compliance Considerations When Resuming Normal Operations for COVID-19
By Jeremy Wherren, CSP, CHMM, CMQ/OE, Corporate Health and Safety Officer
As this COVID-19 public health crisis approaches the month of May, I recently heard the term “quarantine fatigue” for the first time. The cultural attitude in the United States is now in earnest to reopen businesses to help get the economy on track so long as it is safe to do so. During this pandemic, several companies had to dust off their business continuity or pandemic preparedness plans and/or conduct planning on the fly as this crisis unfolded. The likely scenario was that many businesses, even those with plans, had to react in real time to the unprecedented scale the COVID-19 crisis impacted operations. Whether your business has a solid plan or not, there is now a litany of information out there (now including this blog post) concerning best practices and precautionary measures for businesses to reestablish and sustain its operations for a new normal. In attempt to reign in this informational overload, I have summarized some practical planning elements with linked resources to consider when returning your business operations back to the new normal in the coming days and weeks.
1. Align your reopening plan to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and state government guidance on general health and safety precautions concerning reopening planning.
Recently the Federal government issued “Opening America” guidance for each state or region to follow as a guide to safely bring America back to work and normal life. However, while some states such as Maryland have publicly announced they will be aligning with the federal guidance, many other states are going to plot their own course depending on the degree COVID-19 has impacted that state. Businesses should be continually monitoring information issued from within the states they maintain operations to verify how that state is planning to come back.
Relative to the kind of precautions to take, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and state public health guidance remain as some of the best sources to follow for generally accepted COVID-19 prevention practices. Some states may also use their economic development or business regulation agencies to issue requirements for safe work-place requirements. Businesses in those states with U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) approved plans should review that state’s OSHA equivalent website. For example, the Vermont OSHA is requiring awareness training be provided to all non-healthcare essential workers by May 4th, 2020 concerning COVID-19 precautions required by that state. If you are unsure if your state has an OSHA approved plan or an OSHA equivalent entity, you may find out more at https://www.osha.gov/stateplans concerning state approved plans.
Depending on the specific industry your business operates in, there is likely other applicable resources available through certain trade organizations and other regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Association. This resource list is too long to practically provide for this post but keep contact with your local and national trade organizations regarding COVID-19. These organizations have developed COVID-19 forums and remote meetings that provide very insightful information sharing, benchmark practices, and even industry lobby support to the government regarding COVID-19.
2. Assess the health and safety risks for reopening your business.
Prior to resuming an operation or reopening your business, each employer should be conducting a risk assessment for COVID-19 to its work force for a given operation or task. As discussed in the second post of this blog series, OSHA published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 in late March 2020 to help employers assess the risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19. The level of risk depends on a variety of factors including industry type and the need for contact within 6 feet of potentially infected persons. To help employers determine appropriate precautions, OSHA divided job tasks into four risk exposure levels: very high, high, medium, and lower risk.
OSHA states within the guidance that most American workers likely fall in the lower exposure risk (caution) or medium exposure risk levels. However, until a risk assessment is completed, you may not be aware about the risk level and appropriate precautions to take. Also, a written and certified hazard assessment is required for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) per OSHA PPE regulations for work tasks. Even if your business already maintains written PPE assessments, they should be updated to reflect hazards to COVID-19 exposure.
3. Consider your employees welfare needs during the reopening process.
We have all had to endure a wide spectrum of personal challenges and emotions through this public health crisis including unemployment, working remotely for long periods, keeping up with bills, and managing a family from home without the framework of support (schools and day cares) parents normally lean on. It is critical for businesses to recognize how the reopening plan will affect its employees personally. While those in a furloughed situation are likely eager to get back to work, others may have kids at home with the entire school year cancelled and cannot come back to work immediately, or they have some other family obligation requiring them to work remotely or part time until this crisis is behind them.
Businesses should work with their human resource representatives that allows employees some different options to get back to work in a way that does not stress an already stressful situation. There are several resources available that provide guidance on employee mental health and the COVID-19 crisis, one site I found helpful was the Center for Workplace Mental Health.
If a business maintains an Employee Assistance Program, that resource should be brought into the spotlight as another resource to help cope with this crisis. Employees who return to work knowing they are supported by their employer with less distractions or stresses in their life will promote a safer workplace.
4. Review critical operations needed for reopening.
Chances are if your business maintains critical operations deemed essential to your business, those operations have not ceased or have been maintained in some enhanced way through the COVID-19 crisis. Moving forward, how will controlling exposure to COVID-19 affect critical operations in your business? Regardless of the current operational status (full operation, enhanced operation, or shutdown), businesses should review existing work and emergency procedures to maintain critical operations as well as ensuring competent staff are still in place with knowledge to operate such processes. From a compliance standpoint, OSHA maintains regulations regarding accounting for critical processes in regulatory areas such as for Emergency Action Planning, and for management of highly hazardous chemicals in the Process Safety Management9 standard.
5. Review life safety compliance prior to reopening.
Some facilities may have been shut down quickly in reaction to a governmental closure order during this pandemic. Thus, it is important for businesses to assess its facility assets for life safety compliance prior to resuming operations and/or reopening to the public. Some key elements to review could include the following:
- Inspect the condition of fire extinguishers and related fire protection equipment, OSHA requires visual monthly inspection of fire extinguishers. Fire suppression systems require periodic inspections and testing as well.
- Ensure fire alarm systems are in good working order and up to date with testing and maintenance.
- Look for poor housekeeping or storage of materials in walkways and on working surfaces which could present an egress hazard in the event of an emergency evacuation.
- Test emergency lighting for function, repair as needed.
- Review and update your facility Emergency Action and Preparedness Plans. Have any facility contacts changed during this crisis? Does anything change in how employees should evacuate and assemble in an emergency while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing?
6. Review operations or programs with environmental compliance needs.
Consider in your reopening plans what if any operations may have environmental compliance needs. In March 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Temporary COVID-19 Enforcement Policy which does relax some EPA enforcement of noncompliance so long as employers act responsibly to maintain compliance as best as possible. However, this enforcement policy does not include all EPA regulations and so to ensure compliance, your business should conduct a thorough review of its existing environmental programs. If your business is resuming its operations, EPA expects your operations to be compliant with related requirements as soon as possible.
7. Evaluate training gaps and opportunities to maintain operations.
In just the past few weeks, much may have changed in how your employee workforce is composed and the level of competencies remaining from the unfortunate effect of furloughs or loss of employees who found other employment during this crisis, or maybe some required training has lapsed and now requires to be fulfilled. The business training plan should be reviewed for compliance needs, competency in operation of critical functions, and work force cross functionality to build depth for competency if an emergency occurs or staff absenteeism increases during a pandemic. Taking stock in your training needs now can help create a stronger continuity plan in the future.
8. Consider preparations for the next wave.
It is possible, or even likely by recent CDC announcements, that there will be additional waves of the COVID-19 pandemic until there is more effective treatment and a vaccine to combat the virus. It will be more important now than ever, that your business take lessons learned from the first wave and prepare for the potential for additional waves to occur. Such activities need to be conducted in the following weeks and months to help be as prepared as possible may include:
- Designate a responsible person within your business to monitor and maintain your pandemic planning. This will help keep the direction of your planning more organized and less reactive to a highly fluid situation, for small businesses this may just become one of many hats for somebody. In those cases, delegate out certain responsibilities among your team and then meet regularly to discuss. Best practice may include formation of a Pandemic Preparedness team that meets regularly to discuss issues.
- Persist to be opportunistic with replenishing critical supplies. Review what critical supplies were needed and used over the past several weeks and plan a contingency supply. Some supplies will continue to be hard to find, but persistence in monitoring availability will be key so that some stocks can be replenished and maintained.
- Put all that you have learned into a practical written plan so your business has a roadmap to be prepared for future waves or a new pandemic. In my next post I will summarize a simple planning structure that may be appropriate for your plan by aligning its preparedness actions to “ramp up or ramp down” to the pandemic phases defined by the CDC.
Should your business (small or large) need assistance with pandemic planning, COVID-19 safety procedures, risk assessments, or related EHS compliance support, Nobis is here to help. Please reach out to me anytime at jwherren@nobis-group.com should you have any questions or needs. Be safe, we are all in this together.
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Posted on April 16, 2020
Tony Giunta, Director of Project Development at Nobis Group and Mayor of the City of Franklin, NH, recently coordinated with Tim Andrews, PG, Nobis’ Director of Environmental Services, to facilitate a partnership between Nobis and the Franklin High School Robotics Team.
Andrew Bulluck, EIT, a Civil Staff Engineer at Nobis, volunteered his time by mentoring students at several of the Robotics Team’s weekly meetings. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with these students and provide guidance on how to approach challenges in new ways,” stated Bulluck. “I have to say though, when it comes to actual robotics, I was clueless compared to the kids on this team! They are really talented.” Bulluck joined Nobis Group in 2019, shortly after graduating from UNH. In his time with Nobis, he has served in a major role as Site QC Manager on the firm’s Elizabeth Mine Superfund project site in South Strafford, VT.
Pictured is Giunta with Franklin High School Robotics Team Members and Coaches.
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Posted on April 14, 2020
OSHA’s Current Stance on COVID-19 for Worker Exposure, Respiratory Protection, Illness Recording, and Medical Surveillance
By Jeremy Wherren, CSP, CHMM, CMQ/OE, Corporate Health and Safety Officer
This is Part 2 of a series intended to provide some practical guidance on worker safety and health and other workplace compliance practices to help you and your workplace get through these unprecedented times. Last week’s topic included compliance considerations with Home-Based Worker safety.
This week’s topic provides an update and perhaps some clarity regarding how the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is addressing workplace hazard assessment, and regulatory issues such as respiratory protection, recording work related illnesses, and medical surveillance required under several OSHA standards.
Worker Risk Assessment with COVID-19 Exposure
Prior to making decisions about how your workers are to be protected from COVID-19 exposure, it is important for each employer to conduct a risk assessment of its employees to understand the hazards and exposure potential. To assist employers, OSHA has issued guidance to assess the risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19. The level of risk depends on a variety of factors including industry type and the need for contact within 6 feet of potentially infected persons. To help employers determine appropriate precautions, OSHA divided job tasks into four risk exposure levels: very high, high, medium, and lower risk. Workers such as those in healthcare settings, first responders, mortuary workers, medical transport etc. may be characterized at the high or very high-risk levels due to their potential exposure to people infected with COVID-19.
OSHA states within the guidance that most American workers likely fall in the lower exposure risk (caution) or medium exposure risk levels. The guidance summarizes that medium exposure workers include those who may have contact with the general public (e.g., schools, high-population-density work environments, some high-volume retail settings), including individuals returning from locations with widespread COVID-19 transmission. Low exposure risk (Caution) jobs are those that do not require contact with people known to be, or suspected of being, infected with COVID-19 nor frequent close contact with (i.e., within 6 feet of) the general public. Workers in this category have minimal occupational contact with the public and other coworkers. Once the risks to your workers are understood, appropriate controls for safe work practices should be considered for use. Safety practices and controls for COVID-19 have been widely published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and a variety of governmental entities. In late March, OSHA published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 to help employers make sufficient preparations for the work place.
Respiratory Protection
OSHA regulates respiratory protection in the workplace under 29 CFR 1910.134 for general industry, and the standard for the construction industry 29 CFR 1926.103 are identical to those set forth in the general industry standard. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, employers have had to face challenges in maintaining compliance with this standard. For example, non-healthcare workers may have had to wear N-95 filtering face piece respirators (FFRs) for other hazards (dusts etc.) before COVID-19 came along, but now these forms of personal protective equipment are hard to find due to market demand for the health care industry (and justifiably so). Public health and governmental entities have issued guidance or advisories for people to wear face masks in public to protect from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In the past couple weeks, OSHA has issued some public announcements and guidance to help work-places cope with compliance to these issues. Before we dissect OSHA’s position, it’s good to understand what OSHA considers a face piece respirator versus a face mask.
What is a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR)? It is important to understand what an FFR is when applying the respiratory protection standard. An FFR removes contaminants from the air as a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium. Dust masks, including N95 masks, and types of surgical masks are types of FFRs. A home-made or other sewn face mask, although with similar design intent is currently not recognized as an FFR by OSHA.
What is OSHA’s position regarding the use of FFRs during the COVID-19 crisis? On April 3rd 2020, OSHA issued two enforcement memoranda which provides guidance for employers with workers exposed to other respiratory hazards impacted by the FFR shortage resulting from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within those memos, OSHA has recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented shortages in PPE supplies and issued enforcement guidance to use of respiratory protection equipment certified under standards of other countries or jurisdictions to help employers legally order FFRs from different sources, this includes use of homemade masks recommended by the CDC as a “last resort” option. The other memo expanded use and reuse guidance of N-95 respirators to all work places.
On April 8th, 2020 OSHA issued another enforcement memo stating that OSHA will exercise enforcement discretion regarding fit-testing requirements of FFRs, such as N-95 respirators, to all work places through this public health crisis, previously this was only applied to the health care industry.
OSHA is now exercising discretion in the enforcement of the respiratory standard regarding the use of FFRs. It is important to recognize that OSHA expects all employers to make good-faith efforts through this public health crisis to comply with the requirements of the respiratory protection standard and to follow the steps provided in the enforcement memoranda.
Employer Responsibility for Recording COVID-19 Illnesses
On April 10th 2020, OSHA issued enforcement guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this memo, OSHA maintains its policy that the healthcare industry, emergency response organizations (e.g., emergency medical, firefighting, and law enforcement services), and correctional institutions must record COVID-19 illnesses deemed work related in accordance with injury and illness recordkeeping requirements under 29 CFR 1904, and is exercising discretion to require other employers to make the same work-relatedness determinations, except where: there is objective evidence that a COVID-19 case may be work-related; and the evidence was reasonably available to the employer. OSHA is intending that this guidance will help employers not have to mitigate COVID-19 illnesses of an employee from community-based transmission circumstances. Employers required to log injuries and illness should continue to follow the requirements of 29 CFR 1904 in all other work related injury or illness situations.
Medical Surveillance
At the time of publication of this blog, OSHA has not issued out any enforcement guidance regarding an employer’s requirement to provide medical surveillance or clearances as required under several standards including the respiratory protection standard. This has left employers to balance decision making based on risks to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and monitoring of potential employee exposures in the workplace, with the risk of exposing an employee to COVID-19 transmission in a medical environment such as a hospital or clinic. I posed this question to OSHA through their online “Ask OSHA” portal, and they responded that OSHA is in the process of addressing many issues related to COVID-19 and they are collaborating with others on this issue and public guidance will be updated, as appropriate.
If your workplace is facing challenges in meeting the intent of OSHA standards such as respiratory protection please review the enforcement memoranda linked within this blog and frequently go to the OSHA COVID-19 website for regular updates on this matter. Should you require assistance interpreting how OSHA standards and the recent enforcement memoranda affect your business, or how to conduct risk assessments, Nobis Group is here to assist your business with such issues, please contact us anytime.
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Posted on April 9, 2020
Home Based Work Safety Considerations
By Jeremy Wherren, CSP, CHMM, CMQ/OE, Corporate Health and Safety Officer
As we all adjust our business operations to this crisis, there are a litany of things for us to consider, and each day priorities change as we pivot to an everchanging situation. Worker safety and health are one of, if not our greatest, priorities confronting us today. In the coming weeks, I will be providing some practical guidance on worker safety and health and other workplace compliance practices to help you and your workplace get through these unprecedented times.
This week’s topic includes compliance considerations with Home-Based Worker safety.
It is important for all employers who have employees working from home to consider work practices to prevent accidents in the home. As of the writing of this blog post, according to NBC News approximately 272 million American’s are subject to “stay-at-home” or shelter-in-place” orders due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. This has required most employees to work remotely from home, thereby transforming their study, garage, or dining room table to a home office.
What’s OSHA’s Take on Home-Based Work?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration currently does not have any regulatory standards concerning employee work from home or telecommuting. However, on February 25 2000, OSHA did issue Directive CPL 2-0.125 for Home-Based Worksites. Within this Directive, OSHA defines Home Offices and Home-Based Worksites. A Home-Based Worksite includes any areas of an employee’s personal residence where the employee performs work, whereas a Home Office includes only office work activities in a home-based worksite such as typing or using equipment – computer or file cabinet etc.
OSHA also maintains specific policies for Home Offices compared to Home-Based Worksites. OSHA will not conduct inspections of Home Offices, nor will it hold employers liable for employees’ home offices and does not expect employers to inspect the home offices of their employees. For Home-Based Worksites, OSHA will only conduct inspections when OSHA receives a complaint or referral that indicates that a violation of a safety or health standard exists that threatens physical harm, or that an imminent danger exists, including reports of a work-related fatality.
So, are employers off the hook from OSHA regulations and Home-Based Work?
Not completely, employers are responsible for in-home worksites for hazards caused by materials, equipment, or work processes which the employer provides or requires to be used in an employee’s home. Also, employers who are required to keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses will continue to be responsible for keeping such records, regardless of whether the injuries occur in the factory, in a home office, or elsewhere, as long as they are work-related and meet the recordability criteria of 29 CFR Part 1904. Work related injuries could include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) related to poor office design or electric shock from company provided equipment etc. requiring to be recorded on the OSHA 300 log.
What are some key things we can do to prevent Home-Based work injuries?
- Employees should maintain an ergonomically friendly home office space, there are many resources available such as the OSHA e-Tool checklist to help employees self-assess good ergonomics.
- Take micro-breaks to minimize the chance of incurring an MSD from static postures.
- Follow common safe practices with electric cords and use of outlets (e.g. do not overload outlets, avoid using extension cords as much as possible, do not run electrical cords through walking areas, etc.).
- Practice good housekeeping keeping clutter to a minimum and keep sharps like scissors, letter openers, or razor blades safely secure from inadvertent contact.
- Stay active at home, try to exercise, and maintain wellness.
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Posted on April 7, 2020
Nobis Group, an award-winning, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering and environmental solutions to commercial and public sector clients throughout the Northeast, is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy Wherren as Corporate Health and Safety Officer.
A trusted advisor to clients throughout the US, China, Mexico, and the UK, Wherren brings over 20 years of comprehensive environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance experience, as well as corporate process improvement and quality management expertise including OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, ISO Management Systems Standards, Lean, and Six Sigma. Wherren is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and Certified Manager of Quality/Operational Excellence (CMQ/OE). He will be responsible for administering Nobis’ overall corporate health and safety program, while also fulfilling a leadership role in Nobis’ growing EHS practice.
“We’re thrilled to have Jeremy on the Nobis team. Keeping our employees and workplaces safe is of the utmost importance every day. And in today’s world, we’re being asked more and more to solve challenging EHS compliance issues for our clients. Having Jeremy on board greatly expands our EHS practice to help us keep delivering solutions and value to our clients,” said Pete Delano, P.E., Senior Vice President of Nobis.
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Posted on March 30, 2020
Effective March 30th, all Nobis Group office locations are temporarily closed to the public until further notice to comply with Federal and State orders and guidance as we all respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Nobis Group employees have been directed to work remotely, our field work remains ongoing, and we’re continuing to meet our clients’ needs. Our NH headquarters remains operated by minimal essential staff and we are not accepting visitors into our offices at this time. “Our first priority is the safety of our employees and their families and with our Pandemic Preparedness Plan in place, our project work for our clients is proceeding. I’m proud to see the Nobis Team rallying together so well during this crisis,” said Ken Koornneef, President & CEO. Nobis Group will continue to communicate any further changes to our business operation status as necessary. Please stay healthy and offer help where you safely can within your community.
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Posted on March 25, 2020
Nobis Group donated nearly 500 N95 respirators to Concord Hospital in New Hampshire and Lowell General Hospital in Massachusetts to aid their healthcare providers to deliver care related to the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.
“One of our core values at Nobis Group is helping communities where we live and work. We’re grateful at Nobis for the opportunity to help these hospitals and their vital healthcare providers during this crisis,” said Chris Adams, Vice President of Operations.
“As soon as the coronavirus began spreading, our employees came forward with the idea to donate our supply of respirators. It was important to us all that we help in whatever way we could,” said Jeremy Wherren, Nobis Group Corporate Health & Safety Officer.
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Posted on March 23, 2020
Effective March 24 at 12:00 pm through April 7, Nobis Group is temporarily closing our Massachusetts office to comply with Governor Baker’s emergency order to close non-essential physical workplaces. Our MA employees are working remotely and our field work deemed essential is continuing in Massachusetts. Nobis Group is not accepting deliveries or visitors to our MA office until further notice. Our New Hampshire headquarters office remains operational with minimal essential staff. We’ll continue to communicate any further changes to our business operations as necessary. Please stay healthy and offer help where you safely can within your community!
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Posted on March 19, 2020
At Nobis Group, our employees have been encouraged to quarantine and work remotely while continuing to fulfill our clients’ needs. Our offices remain operational but with only minimal essential staff practicing safe distancing, and we’re continuing to actively partner with our critical subcontractors and vendors. We’re continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will communicate further changes to our business operations as necessary. Please stay safe, healthy, and offer help where you safely can within your community.
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Posted on March 16, 2020
To Our Clients, Vendors, and Partners: At Nobis Group, our first priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our employees and their families while we assess the impact of this pandemic and follow the directives set forth by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as our local and State governments.
At the heart of what we do at Nobis Group is to deliver service excellence every day to our clients. This commitment will not change while we face this evolving and complex public health crisis. We’re prepared here at Nobis Group with our business continuity plan in place to ensure we continue to meet our client commitments.
Currently, we’re encouraging all employees to work remotely, we’ve put in place employee travel and group gathering restrictions, and we’ve implemented proper self-quarantine guidelines. We will continue to monitor the situation, and will communicate any needed changes to our business operations as necessary.
A core value at Nobis Group has always been our commitment to help the communities in which we live and work. While we’re deeply saddened and concerned for those already affected by this pandemic, we will get through this challenge together if we all care for and help our neighbors and those around us.
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Posted on February 25, 2020
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
For those living in congested areas throughout New England, it’s hard to imagine that only a few short decades ago most of the Northeast was mainly farmland. Although some local farms have managed to survive, for the most part large open acreage landowners have only been able to preserve their undeveloped parcels by either receiving conservation grants or by taking advantage of special property tax exemptions.
A relatively new opportunity has now come before many of these large acreage open field landholders in the form of renewable energy land leases. If you fall into this category and have been approached by a renewable energy developer offering a lease option to develop a project on your land, here are a few tips to consider before you sign on the bottom line.
Give yourself an out. Realize that before you see any solar panels or wind turbines on your property, renewable energy projects take time to get through the many hoops associated with their development. In most cases, you won’t be offered any lease payments until the project moves to “Notice to Proceed” or “NTP”. The reason for this is even though no physical activity is taking place on your fields, the developer is spending significant amounts of capital to secure those all-important permits. That said, if your project hasn’t received NTP after two years, then it probably never will. Whatever that mutually agreed upon drop dead date is, insist upon language that makes the contract “null and void” should that date come and go without an NTP or the developer must begin lease payments regardless of where they are in the permitting process.
Make crystal clear who’s responsible for taxes. Your renewable energy project will undoubtedly increase your property tax assessment (and in some cases significantly so). Most developers will assume responsibility for any additional tax burden levied by the taxing authority. Ensure it’s clear you, the property owner, will only be responsible for paying a pre-determined tax amount. Also spell out what occurs should the lessee default on their tax payment. Remember, you’re the property owner and YOU are always responsible for paying your tax bill regardless of whether or not your lessee pays you the agreed upon amount. Ensure legal mechanisms are in place for you to be able to recover your money quickly should a default occur.
Returning the site back to original condition. Although lease agreements typically run 20 to 30 years, there will come a time when all that infrastructure will need to go. Your lease agreement should clearly state the lessee is fully responsible for all costs and labor associated with restoring your property back to its original pre-existing condition. There should also be language stating from where those reserved decommissioning funds will be derived (i.e. bond, escrow account, etc.).
A plug for lawyers. Finally, spend the upfront money and have an experienced renewable energy land-lease attorney review your lease agreement before you ever place your John Hancock on the dotted line. It will be money well spent and, in many instances, you may even get the energy developer to reimburse you for those legal expenses.
Now that all your “t’s” are crossed and your “i’s” are dotted, feel confident that you (and your heirs) can go forth and produce renewable energy without having to deal with contractual nightmares years down the road.
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Posted on February 3, 2020
Nobis Group is pleased to announce our second annual STEM scholarship! At Nobis, we recognize the potential of the next generation to help us build a sustainable future, so this scholarship is offered to high school seniors who plan on entering a STEM field in college. We’re looking for applicants who are passionate about STEM and who can show us why they should be selected for the award. High school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are entering a STEM field in college are welcome to apply. See the application below for additional details and eligibility requirements.
Scholarship Application
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Posted on January 31, 2020
By Al Jones, PE, Director of Geotechnical Services
Developers and Owners are often trying to reduce costs in every way possible and who can blame them? One way to cut costs is to minimize the geotechnical design by reducing the subsurface exploration program. While this provides some short-term savings, it ignores the value of a thorough geotechnical investigation and adds considerable risk to your project.
We’ll often be asked, “Can the borings be completed in one day instead of two?” A thin subsurface exploration program might save time and money in the beginning of a project, but often, this decision will result in a more conservative design. This approach doesn’t allow you to evaluate all possible design options, and you could be adding unnecessary construction costs like pouring more concrete for a larger foundation you never needed.
In addition, the lack of information gathered from the limited investigation may result in a significant change order during construction to address unanticipated conditions, which will be significantly more costly than just completing a more comprehensive exploration. It’s cheaper to spend the money on a few more days of drilling than to have a million-dollar change order for blasting due to high bedrock conditions that were never discovered due to a limited number of borings.
Every project requires a different level of effort for the geotechnical exploration. The variability of subsurface conditions at each site is especially prominent in the Northeast. I’ve been a geotechnical engineer for over 25 years and I am still surprised by variations in subsurface conditions at some sites. Perhaps it might be fill that looks like natural soils, perched groundwater that is mistaken for the actual groundwater table, or assumed bedrock that may be just a large boulder. To ensure there are no surprises, rarely should a project in the Northeast be getting by on one-day of drilling, except for the smallest of projects.
So, what should an Owner or Developer do? Find a geotechnical engineering firm that will provide you with the most complete and cost effective design. This will save you from the pains of increasing costs and project delays. Here’s how:
First, compare competitive proposals from your geotechnical consultants and evaluate how they align with your project’s needs. Let’s say your new facility is proposed to be built on undeveloped land where no historical information of the subsurface exists. Firm A’s proposal calls for multiple days of explorations and rock coring, while Firm B’s calls for only a couple of shallow 20-foot borings. It would be more beneficial to hire Firm A and complete a more comprehensive investigation that provides an accurate picture of the subsurface profile.
Next, investigate the experience and qualifications of each competing firm. They should have experience working on your type of site and will have insight into the challenges that your design may encounter. Good firms have a history of working with design teams to understand the planned development and will prepare detailed scope of services that ensure your design needs are met. This should all be illustrated in their proposal.
Finally, don’t be afraid to engage in direct conversation with your design team. We understand that you want to complete the project for the most reasonable price at the fastest pace. If you feel that a proposed scope of work is bloated, ask your engineer about it. A good design firm will provide you feedback explaining why that extra day of drilling may be needed. They will review the risks and challenges with you and explain what the best solutions are. These conversations will provide you the confidence to push forward without worrying about your investment.
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Posted on January 14, 2020
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
I’m sure many of you have heard of World War Zero? It’s John Kerry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s latest attempt to remind civilization that unless we rally together to solve climate change, civilization as we know it will perish from the face of the earth.
Instead of rehashing the same old doomsday scenarios (which clearly aren’t working), I wish they would better prepare us for a society that switches from high density energy sources to much lower density ones.
It’s taken planet earth millions of years to essentially convert solar energy into high density fuels such as crude oil and coal. We as a species have figured out how to extract all that stored energy essentially instantaneously. So, when we build a coal burning electric plant that produces 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity, the entire complex only has to cover a very small parcel of land. Why? Because coal packs an enormous energy punch per pound, and we merely have to get that fuel into a boiler, release its energy, then send it to our homes and businesses.
If we now attempt to replace an energy dense fuel like coal with wind turbines, we must realize the energy contained in wind is much less than that which took mother nature millions of years to concentrate into a lump of coal. To compensate for this energy density disparity, we need to capture a whole lot more low-density wind. How much more? Well, to produce the same 500 MW of electrical energy using wind turbines, we would have to spread those towers over more than 30,000 acres of land. If you want to produce the same amount of power using solar, get ready to see those panels spread across 2,500 acres.
Bottom line, right now we can and are moving towards a more renewable sustainable energy future. But as Sir Isaac Newton said, “for every action… there’s a reaction” and that reaction will be a vastly different landscape. Because of that major disparity in energy density, wind turbines must occupy every location on earth with windspeeds capable of pushing a blade. Solar panels must be wherever there’s enough sunshine to energize their cells.
“OK”, John Kerry would ask, “then what’s the problem… if we can replace fossil fuels with renewables and save the planet, why don’t we do it?” Well, Senator Kerry, what I’ve found throughout my career is everyone wants renewable energy-until a project comes to their town. Then the pitch forks and torches come out and developers are told to go somewhere else!
So, my advice to you and your fellow doomsayers is stop trying to scare the hell out of everyone by forecasting Armageddon and instead educate us on what a totally sustainable renewable energy world will look like. Because until society embraces the look as much as it embraces the concept, World War Zero will only cause World War III between developers and local citizens.
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Posted on January 9, 2020
Tony Giunta, Director of Project Development at Nobis Group based in Concord, NH, was recently named Clean Energy Champion of the Year at the Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH) Annual Awards.
CENH is a non-profit organization focused on promoting clean energy and technologies through education and advocacy for a stronger economic future. The organization’s Champion of the Year Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership roles in the transition to a clean energy future. Giunta, who is currently serving his fourth term as Mayor of the City of Franklin, NH, was honored to accept the award.
Throughout his career, Giunta’s major area of interest has been the renewable energy market. “As a young professional,” Giunta recalls, “renewable energy was only a dream. Today, technology and science have merged to change civilization as we know it. I wake up every day excited to work on projects that only a short while ago were considered science fiction.”
Giunta has devoted nearly three decades of his life to protecting our environment. Through his many roles at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, he not only oversaw the cleanup of contaminated sites, but also worked with businesses and municipalities to prevent future environmental degradation. But his passion has always been in the energy sector. That passion led him to become the founder of American Energy Independence Company, a New Hampshire-based firm that manufactures environmentally-friendly, renewable non-petroleum-based products. In his current role at the Nobis Group, Tony works with developers, elected officials, regulators, and contractors to create alternative energy solutions that better the communities they serve. In his role as Mayor, Tony has actively supported efforts to bring clean, affordable, renewable energy to New Hampshire and the rest of New England.
“We are proud to have Tony as part of the Nobis team and congratulate him on receiving this noteworthy award,” Ken Koornneef, President and CEO of Nobis Group, stated. “Tony’s dynamic and steadfast commitment to promoting clean energy is very much in line with our efforts at Nobis Group to remain a leading renewable energy firm in the region. We are thrilled Tony has received this well-deserved recognition for his work.”
Read more about Clean Energy’s Annual Holiday Party here.
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Posted on November 27, 2019
By Sean Colella, PE, Project Engineer
You’re holding on to a nice piece of property in New Hampshire and you’ve got an exciting land development opportunity. You think you’ve checked all the boxes and identified any and all potential issues. But before you embark on this venture, here are some of the more common red flags that will impact your land development project, both with your schedule and financially.
Local Zoning Regulations
The local zoning regulations in your city or town determine the permitted uses in each of the zoning districts and building setback distances from all property lines. The best scenario is your proposed development project is an allowed use in the zoning district and you meet the specific requirements (building setbacks, coverage, and structure height). In this case, you can eliminate the need to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Be aware, building setback distances may be modified when industrial or commercial developments directly abuts a residential district.
Site Plan Application Issues
Based on the size, scope, and other criteria (each town is different) of the development project, you will submit an application for site plan review with the local Planning Board. The board reviews the proposed development project to determine if it meets all the respective requirements in the town’s development regulations. This application is unavoidable, but the closer you can match the regulations, the faster you can get through the board and receive site plan approval, which is critical if your project is time-sensitive. It is most beneficial to submit a thorough site plan application to avoid unnecessary revisions and delays in your approval.
Potential Regional Impacts
Depending on the size or geographic location of the development project (e.g. abutting another municipality or state), the local planning board will determine if they believe there is a case for regional impacts. If the board decides the project will have a regional impact, the abutting city or town will have an opportunity to review and provide comments on your project. You can anticipate more delays to your site plan approval, possible additional plan revisions, and more impacts to the project budget in this scenario.
Historical Resources and Natural Heritage Existing on Your Site
It’s in your best interest to submit a request to the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) early in the project discussions. This is a NH state agency that reviews the project scope and geographic location for any historical or archeological sensitive areas. More often than not, a phase 1a archeological survey is requested by the DHR and will be completed at your expense. This survey is a more in-depth review and includes site work by a licensed professional. If you’re lucky, the supplemental phase 1a report will not find any archeological sensitive materials on site, otherwise a phase 1b archeological survey is required, adding critical time and budget to your development project.
Likewise, if you have a land development project that will require an Alteration of Terrain Permit (discussed in the next section), you must request a project review from the Natural Heritage Bureau in NH. This agency reviews the project for any potential impacts to threatened or endangered species, including plants and wildlife. There exists a database which tracks these species geographically, and if something appears in close proximity to your project you can expect additional coordination with NH Fish and Game, as needed. Another state agency will have the opportunity to review and comment on your project, which pushes the proposed scheduled and potentially affects your budget.
NHDES Permit Application
An Alteration of Terrain Permit application is required from the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) when your project disturbance exceeds 100,000 square feet. This permit application and processes alone can add months to a project schedule. The application requires input from the property owner, applicant or developer, agents, and engineering consultants. The biggest component of the application is the stormwater management and drainage analyses in which you need to prove that your project will not have any adverse impacts on receiving waters and directly abutting properties. NHDES has 50 days to respond with comments and the reviewing engineers are very thorough.
Presence of Wetlands
It’s in your best interest to avoid any and all impacts to designated wetlands on your property. If they are unavoidable given your planned development project, a Wetlands Impact Permit is required and submitted to the NHDES. The permit application process will create delays in your anticipated schedule and give the wetlands bureau an opportunity to review and provide more comments. In addition to the NHDES review process, the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) will, by default, receive a separate application for your proposed wetland impacts. The USACE process includes a review of threatened or endangered species, but they use a different database than does the NHB. This is incredibly challenging if the USACE identifies another species and you’ve already started, or finalized, your site design.
Knowing these common red flags that could impact your land development project will help better prepare you to navigate the sometimes challenging world of site development. Some of these challenges will be unavoidable, but with more knowledge, you can effectively push through the permits and minimize impacts to you budget and schedule. Now that you’re ready, go get it!
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Posted on October 16, 2019
By Kurt Jelinek, PE, Director of Transportation
Geotechnical engineers reside all over the world and clients have the liberty to retain a geotechnical engineering firm at their will. However, there are clear advantages to hiring a geotechnical firm that employs engineers with local knowledge to reduce the risk of experiencing costly surprises during the project execution or project delays. Here are the top reasons why a client should hire a geotechnical firm with local knowledge.
Relationships with Local Drillers Saves Time and Money
Geotechnical firms build relationships with local drilling subcontractors through working together on different projects. This relationship can be of value to a client because drilling subcontractors compete for repeat work which results in receiving competitive drilling contractor bids, accommodating tight project schedules, and getting the job done within the agreed schedule.
Knowing Where to Look for Regional Information that Will Aid in Project Execution
Established geotechnical firms have worked on hundreds of projects over the years within a certain geographical area and they have access to the existing test boring logs they have completed. Additionally, local societies such as the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) or local universities have compiled test boring collections which are often unknown to outsiders. This local knowledge can be used in tailoring a planned test boring program based on subsurface conditions encountered at nearby completed test borings.
Additionally, geotechnical engineers practicing in a geographical area often assemble a collection of local publications such as journal articles, local presentations, or books that are important sources in understanding subsurface conditions and implications of proposed underground constructions.
Good at Guiding You Through Public Obstacles
Planning and coordinating test boring programs on public properties typically requires a street opening permit and possibly a traffic control plan. Every city and state agency often have different requirements and knowing them can alleviate delays in the subsurface exploration program.
Knowledge and Experience with the Subsurface Conditions Your Project Will Encounter
Geotechnical engineers acquire local knowledge regarding certain soil and rock types in a certain area. Some areas in Greater Boston are underlain by Boston Blue Clay and Cambridge Argillite, and large areas along the Connecticut River Valley from Vermont to western Massachusetts to Connecticut are underlain by extensive varved clay deposits. Knowing how these clays and rock behave is critical in providing economical foundation recommendations to a client.
Engineers Who Can Deal with the Regions Unique Conditions
Local geotechnical firms practicing in areas where the landscape has been shaped by glaciers often employ engineers that have developed special skills in identifying glacial deposits such as drumlins, eskers, outwash, kettle, moraine deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, or glacial till. This local knowledge helps in providing sound geotechnical design recommendation as well as alleviates risk of encountering different site conditions during construction.
Knowing Which Contractors are Best Suited to Build Your Project
An important aspect in providing geotechnical recommendations is the constructability of a foundation system. Local geotechnical firms have the advantage of knowing the specialty contractors that practice in their geographical area, which equipment they have available, and possible premium cost implications if specialty equipment needs to be mobilized from another part of the country or from overseas. For example, installing press-in sheet piles and/or pipe piles are common in certain overseas construction and in a few locations throughout the U.S. However, there is likely no contractor in New England that has the equipment to install sheet piles with the press-in method.
Engineers Who Are Engaged in their Regional Professional Associations
Local geotechnical firms employ engineers that live in nearby communities and that are active members of professional organizations, such as state or regional members of American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) or American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through these professional organization engagements, a local geotechnical firm gains early access to regulatory and process changes of certain public clients which could alleviate project delays.
In addition, firms typically encourage their staff to attend local seminars and symposiums. If a geotechnical firm works in Maine and/or New Hampshire along the coast, it is crucial to understand the behavior of the Presumpscot Formation, which is a glacial deposit of predominantly clay. Special symposiums had been organized specifically to share the engineering behavior and challenges of this unique clay type.
Experience Working with Clients
A local geotechnical firm can develop extensive experience working for a client and knows the intrinsic requirements a client expects. For example, performing geotechnical services on MassDOT, MBTA, or MaineDOT projects have unique requirements and processes that need to be followed, such as design guidance manuals, expected test boring and in-situ testing requirement, field worker safety requirements, boring log and CADD standards, geotechnical report requirements, and quality control processes.
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Posted on September 24, 2019
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
If you’ve been watching this season’s political debates, reading news articles, or listening to world leaders, one message is loud and clear. Mother Earth is in trouble! Daily we’re reminded that carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion is causing climate havoc and if humanity doesn’t move to renewable forms of energy, our very existence is in peril.
OK, you get the message and you decide you’re going to do your part to save the planet. You form a company, decide on a renewable energy technology, secure financing, lease or buy the necessary land, and hire professionals to move your dream forward. You’re all set to start digging when you’re told, “hold on, everything needs to be permitted first!”. Permitted? With the world ready to spontaneously combust, how long does permitting take?
Well, it depends on the size of your project. For instance, Eversource and Hydro-Quebec just completed a five year $318M permitting process to transmit renewable hydroelectric power 192 miles over existing powerlines and after all that time (and money) their final project permit was denied! So, let’s assume your project isn’t quite this big and involves typical local and state permits.
To determine the amount of time from concept to construction, it’s important to consider the following. Does your project have the required electrical infrastructure to accept your renewable energy? Is the land suitable for development (i.e. is it too wet, sloped, or cursed with shallow bedrock)? Is the community in favor of your project (from our experience, everyone wants renewable energy until it comes to their town-then it’s “not in my backyard!”)? If your project survives these initial “fatal flaw” tests, then it’s on to land surveys, project layout, and necessary studies to support state permit submissions like alteration of terrain, wetland impacts, and endangered species identification. You must also factor in time to complete local reviews such as zoning board variances, planning board site reviews, and meetings with city councils or selectboards for their approval to adopt special taxation agreements for your project.
Finally, because you’re developing in the Northeast, there’s also one more factor to consider-WINTER! If you miss a seasonal window of opportunity to survey or perform data gathering evaluations, you will probably lose 6 months before you can go back out into the field and retrieve required site data to move on. Assuming you hit an optimal spring start date, you should plan on the entire permitting process to take anywhere from eight to twelve months.
“The process takes too long” you say? I agree and can only surmise that averting a “terra-climatic apocalypse” isn’t on everybody’s top priority list.
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Posted on September 10, 2019
By Chris Nadeau, PE, Director of Commercial Services
Abutters can kill your project – or at least cost you a boatload of time and money.
Here’s a secret – if you want your project to drag out and cost you more money, or even kill it, you should ignore your abutters. I have been to countless planning board public hearings where we hoped none of the abutters would show up or even convinced ourselves – how could anyone oppose such a great project?
Nothing makes a planning board more uncomfortable than having an abutter standing before them demanding that a project be rejected because of traffic, noise, devaluation of property, additional tax burdens, stormwater runoff. I could go on and on.
So, what can you do to prevent this? Make your worst enemy your advocate. Reach out to the abutter who you think is going to be your worst enemy and ask if they would like to meet ahead of time – at their kitchen table. See if they would like to invite some of the neighbors. You make them look like the hero of the neighborhood and you put them in full control while actually controlling the entire process yourself.
A meeting with your abutters adds a personal scale to your project – after all, you are a human being, trying to make a living just like them. You can answer questions, alleviate fears, and quell rumors and mistruths before you get to a public meeting. A possible added bonus – you may even find an advocate for your project. Advocates rarely show up at a public hearing.
Even if your abutters refuse to meet with you, at least you can tell the Planning Board that you tried to facilitate a meeting, but nobody was interested.
Nine times out of ten, once you get to the Public Hearing, the abutter comments will be avoided, or at least minimized and will make it a lot easier for the Board to approve your application. Just remember, nobody likes change, but if you can prepare for change ahead of time, it makes it a lot easier.
I own a small summer cottage in a rural Maine Town abutting an undeveloped commercial lot in a wide-open field. I purchased the property knowing full well that it would eventually get developed by a commercial business. When I received an abutter’s notice last fall for an application to develop the property, I immediately went to the Town Hall to look at the application. I was outraged and emotional about what I saw. I promptly wrote a two page summary of what was wrong with the project and what needed to be done to make it right.
Now I’ve pitched hundreds of projects before Planning Boards and I know very well how it feels to be on the wrong end of an angry abutter. After reading through my letter, I tempered the letter a bit more, to sound a little more sympathetic. The Board eventually approved the project, with many of the conditions that I had outlined in my letter.
Two weeks after the Planning Board meeting, I saw the business owner out cutting his grass and we began chatting. After I found out that he was actually a human being, not a money hungry corporate developer, I felt a little guilty. I sympathized with his position as a new business owner trying to make a living to support his family. We came up with several ideas to help him satisfy the conditions of his approval and get the business open.
Imagine if we had met before the public hearing?
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Posted on August 22, 2019
Nobis Group, an integrated consulting firm providing engineering and environmental solutions to clients throughout the Northeast, is pleased to announce the selection of their three newest Associates.
“Nobis is proud to announce the promotion of these three highly talented professionals and leaders who have been committed to the growth and success of Nobis over many years,” said Ken Koornneef, P.E., President and CEO of Nobis Group.
Clarence “Tim” Andrews, PG has been promoted to Associate. Mr. Andrews has 25 years of experience managing numerous environmental investigations, remediation, and construction projects at a variety of complex and technically challenging sites. Mr. Andrews currently serves as Nobis’ New Hampshire Director of Environmental Services where he leads a group of engineers and environmental scientists executing projects for public and private clients.
Alfred Jones, PE, Nobis’ Director of Geotechnical Services, has been promoted to Associate. Mr. Jones brings more than 25 years of geotechnical engineering design and construction experience and has worked on a wide range of projects throughout the Northeast. He has managed a diverse mix of infrastructure and transportation projects from feasibility study to final design and construction. He leads Nobis’ Geotechnical Services Group and is responsible for allocating resources to projects and providing training to a team of engineers.
Denis McGrath, CHMM has been promoted to Associate. Mr. McGrath has over 20 years of environmental experience in the Federal market overseeing the investigation and remediation of numerous military and Superfund Sites. Mr. McGrath currently serves as Nobis’ Massachusetts Director of Environmental Services managing a staff of environmental scientists and engineers on environmental projects for both public and private clients.
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Posted on August 13, 2019
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
These are exciting times in the renewable energy industry! Although I doubted it would ever happen in my lifetime, we have finally achieved the critically important intersection point where the cost of producing renewable electricity is now the same or less than electricity derived from fossil fuels.
As reported by Dominic Dudley in his May 29th, 2019 Forbes article titled “Renewable Energy Costs Take Another Tumble, Making Fossil Fuels More Expensive Than Ever”, hydroelectricity, photovoltaic solar (PV), biomass, on-shore wind, and geothermal can all produce energy at less than 10 cents per kilowatt hour, putting these sources on par with newly proposed oil, coal, and natural gas plants.
Even more exciting, Mr. Dudley cites the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report titled “Renewable Power Generation Costs” that points out it’s no longer just about a philosophical humanitarian “save the planet” reason to switch to renewables. Now it’s all about making the switch because it makes good economic sense.
So why the delay in making the proliferation of renewable energy a reality? It’s important to mention that the IRENA report distinctly points out the lowest cost renewable energy projects are being built in parts of the world where there’s the “right regulatory structure and institutional frameworks.” In other words, the lowest cost renewables are being built in areas with the least public opposition and most favorable regulatory environments.
Unfortunately, what I see in New England is a citizenry rabidly opposed to fossil fuels, hysterically supportive of renewable energy, and hypocritically cynical of all renewable energy projects proposed in their communities! The “Not In My Back Yard” or “NIMBY” crowd has transformed that famous warning “Don’t Tread On Me” to “Don’t Build It Here”!
In addition, there are entire communities who adopt bold ordinances, make lofty proclamations, sign progressive protocols demanding fossil free futures. Yet, when renewable projects are proposed, they pass restrictive ordinances that essentially ban those projects from ever being built.
Let history show that not only did NIMBYs deter attempts to save the planet, they also nixed opportunities to build these now cheaper sources of energy and lower costs for all.
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Posted on June 26, 2019
Continuing our 30th year celebration, Nobis Group held a Poster contest at our annual employee-owners meeting. Several departments and project teams prepared a poster for a project that best represented the Nobis brand and our core values of teamwork, community, and client service.
“We value being collaborative here at Nobis, and we’re proud of the great work that we accomplish every day, so it’s really rewarding to see in one place such a great variety of our project work and to celebrate together as one team” said Jenny Lambert, Senior Hydrogeologist at Nobis.
“Along with announcing an increase in our share price to our employee-owners, the Poster Contest added a great deal of excitement, fun, and even some healthy competition to our annual meeting. We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition” said Ken Koornneef, President and CEO of Nobis.
Nobis has been employee-owned since 2003 in order to share the success of our business with our employees. Every employee-owner is empowered to engage and actively participate in shaping and continuing the growth and success of our firm.
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Posted on March 21, 2019
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
Once again there are those “spreading panic amongst the citizenry” offering testament to the apocalypse if America doesn’t stop burning fossil fuels. They prophesize that the only solution to save human civilization is to Go Green (vis-à-vis pass The Green New Deal)!
Boiling it down, The Green New Deal imposes government mandates to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2030. In other words, completely replace a fossil fuel-based infrastructure (that took a century and a half to build) with renewables and do it in ten years. Ambitious to say the least… and expensive! Preliminary estimates to get to net zero carbon emissions puts the price tag anywhere between seven and eight trillion dollars (that’s trillion with a “t”). Heck, I guess when you’re already twenty-two trillion in debt, what’s another seven or eight?
Well, I have a better idea on how to achieve the goals of the New Green Deal, how to get it done quickly, and best yet how not to have it cost the taxpayers one red cent. How could we ever achieve this you say? Have our legislators in Washington come together (I know, sounds impossible, but miracles do happen) and pass legislation that fast-tracks the permitting process for all proposed renewable energy projects. As those of us in the industry know, it’s generally not the cost to build a renewable energy project that dooms success. What really sends developers running for the exit doors is the unpredictable length of time, incredible cost associated with, and uncertainty of obtaining local, state, and federal permits.
Take the recently proposed “Northern Pass” renewable hydroelectric energy project. After the New Hampshire based utility-Eversource-spent five years and nearly $280 million dollars to obtain the necessary approvals to upgrade existing transmission lines so that they could import 1,090-megawatts of clean renewable hydroelectric power into the New England electric grid, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee voted unanimously to deny their final permit.
So, I ask the sponsors of The Green New Deal, if after the spectacular debacle of a private company spending 5 years and $280 million dollars only to get their proposed renewable energy project denied because of a state board stacked with “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) members, who the hell would be stupid enough to ever propose another sizeable renewable energy project without some certainty that it could actually be built? If you do find someone, please steer them my way as I’d like talk to them about a bridge I have for sale in Brooklyn!
Truth be told, everyone wants renewable energy until a project is proposed in their town/city/state. Then, even the most rabid renewable energy pundits immediately print up road signs (that typically read, “Say No to Towers, Windmills, Dams, Solar Panels, etc.), strategically post them on major thoroughfares, and then they incessantly call decision-makers pressuring them to use every tool in their political toolbox to “kill the project”!
Take it from someone who’s out here supporting renewable energy projects. To all those Representatives and Senators who want a carbon neutral America, the quickest way to achieve the goal is to pass legislation that fast-tracks the permitting of renewable energy projects. If you do, you’ll get your Green economy… on-time and without spiraling the entire country ever deeper into bankruptcy.
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Posted on March 1, 2019
This year marks Nobis Group’s 30th year as one of the region’s leading small business engineering and science firms. Starting as a one-person business in Concord, New Hampshire, Nobis has grown into an award winning employee-owned firm specializing in providing civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, and environmental remediation solutions for public and private clients throughout the Northeast.
As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Nobis has many planned events for 2019 that will promote the firm’s culture and brand with its employees, partners, and clients. “The key to our successful growth over the years has been that we’ve never forgotten who we are as a firm, our culture and the way we do business,” said Ken Koornneef, President and CEO.
The year-long festivities started this past week with Nobis’ annual Engineers Week celebrations, where the firm recognizes their employees with various luncheons, gatherings, and engineering activities. The celebrations were capped off by Nobis’ CANgineering competition, where employees competed to build creative structures from canned food items and then donated the canned goods to local food banks and soup kitchens.
“The CANgineering competition is a fun way for us to promote the firm’s teamwork and community service philosophies,” said Allie Goldberg, an environmental engineer at the firm. “Employees get to work together, have fun competing with their colleagues, and then end the competition with a donation to two of our local non-profit organization partners.”
“One of our core values is to help build better communities, not just through our engineering and science expertise, but also by incorporating community service into our day-to-day activities,” said Koornneef. The CANgineering competition is just one of many events that Nobis participates in to solidify its commitment to serving the community. Nobis maintains an active Community Outreach Team and the company offers employees paid time off each year to participate in community service projects. This year’s CANgineering competition included five teams, over 50 employees, and raised over 800 pounds of canned food donations to the Friendly Soup Kitchen in Concord, New Hampshire, and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank in Lowell, Massachusetts.
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Posted on February 5, 2019
Nobis Group is pleased to announce our first annual scholarship, the Nobis Group STEM scholarship! At Nobis, we recognize the potential of the next generation to help us build a sustainable future, so we’ve created a scholarship for high school seniors who plan on entering a STEM field in college. We’re looking for an applicant who is passionate about STEM and who can show us why they should be selected for the award. High school seniors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire who are entering a STEM field in college are welcome to apply.
See newer posts for the most up to date application, additional details, and eligibility requirements.
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Posted on November 27, 2018
Nobis Group was awarded a 10-year contract by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide comprehensive on-call Design and Engineering Services (DES) at Superfund and Brownfield sites throughout EPA Regions 1, 2, and 3. This contract has a ceiling capacity of $410 Million which will be shared amongst several awarded firms. Earlier this year, Nobis was awarded another 10-year contract to perform Environmental Services and Operations (ESO) Services.
“We are extremely proud of these awards and the opportunity to provide EPA with comprehensive Superfund expertise in order to restore impacted sites throughout our communities,” said Nobis’ Scott Harding, Director, Federal Services.
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Posted on October 9, 2018
Nobis Group (Nobis) and Verina Consulting Group, LLC (VERINA) are pleased to announce the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approval of a Mentor-Protégé Agreement under the 8(a) SBA Mentor-Protégé Program.
The SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program is a program designed to help small businesses compete for federal contracts, improve technical and management skills, and enhance their capabilities through an effective mentoring relationship with a larger and more experienced federal contracting firm.
As a mentor and a long-time federal contractor, Nobis will provide management, technical and business development assistance to VERINA to help them more effectively compete in the federal marketplace.
“Nobis is very excited to be entering into this SBA approved, 8(a) Mentor-Protégé Relationship with VERINA. We look forward to partnering with VERINA and the opportunity to provide outstanding environmental, remedial and construction related services to existing and new federal customers,” said Scott Harding, Nobis’ Director of Federal Services.
About Nobis Group
Founded in 1988, Nobis Group provides engineering and environmental services for every scale and complexity. With a cohesive team of professionals, Nobis provides solutions to public and private clients on projects that include site development, energy and infrastructure, transportation improvements and site remediation. Nobis is committed to helping communities work better for all by focusing on best practices in sustainable design and development.
Nobis is a successful graduate of the 8(a) SBA Program and was selected as the 2014 National SBA 8(a) Graduate Firm of the Year. For more than 24 years, Nobis has been supporting various federal customers such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Through its successful experience as a prime federal contractor and 8(a) graduate, Nobis is looking to assist VERINA with achieving its small business goals.
About Verina Consulting Group, LLC
Founded in 2011, VERINA provides comprehensive professional and engineering services in the environmental fields. VERINA offers a wide-range of services supported by the expertise and extensive experiences of their staff. VERINA provides services to clients with regulatory insight, technical innovation, and unparalleled responsiveness at sites related to government operation establishments, industrial and manufacturing facilities, fuel storage terminals and dispensing facilities, above-ground and underground storage tanks (AST/UST), CERCLA sites, RCRA facilities, and Brownfield site redevelopment.
VERINA offers services to clients with practical approaches to meeting clients’ needs and complying with regulatory requirements. VERINA has earned a reputation for providing cost-effective solutions to a complex variety of project problems. From a home office in Bridgewater, New Jersey, VERINA provides services to private and commercial clients and public agencies along the Eastern seaboard.
For more information, visit www.nobis-group.com and www.vcg-llc.com or follow Nobis on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nobisgroup and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nobis-group/
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Posted on August 15, 2018
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
Governor Chris Sununu recently vetoed SB 446, the so-called “net metering” bill which was specifically designed to encourage communities to pursue municipal projects that would generate up to 5 Megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity. As the Mayor of the City of Franklin, the ability to build these larger net-metered sustainable energy projects in our City will significantly reduce our long-term energy costs as well as enhance our tax and lease revenues. With dwindling State assistance and more cost downshifted to local taxpayers, any savings and energy project revenues are most welcomed in my City where tax dollars are always stretched to the max.
As an example of why I strongly support the increase from 1MW to 5MW, the City of Franklin owns a 65-acre former landfill that generates no income. This land is a perfect site for solar energy production. Unfortunately, with the current net metering cap at 1MW, we are only able to utilize 5 of the 65 acres for solar development. The arbitrary 1MW cap is severely limiting the amount of solar we can place on this very suitable site. Being able to fully utilize this site for a 5MW project would not only result in lower electricity costs for Franklin residents, it would also significantly increase tax revenues and lease payments to the City of Franklin. This ultimately translates into additional revenues for schools, police, fire, critical infrastructure, and much needed taxpayer relief.
SB 446 as written incentivizes renewable energy projects like the ones being built in Franklin. Continued investments in these types of projects significantly reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, diversifies our electrical production portfolio, and incentivizes the repurposing of currently underutilized municipal properties resulting in the generation of much needed lease and tax revenue.
I respect the Governor’s goal of reducing electric rates for all, but I disagree with his conclusion that the way we achieve this goal is to kill SB 446. For the city of Franklin, his veto is a severe blow to our efforts to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps” and innovatively address our revenue shortfalls. Because of his veto, large net-metered projects-and the significant jobs and economic activity associated with them-are being cancelled. Without an over-ride, dozens of projects proposed in cities and towns across the state will no longer be contributing renewable zero emission energy to the grid.
Franklin strongly supports our continuing societal march towards a fully sustainable future-and our citizens see SB 446 as an important tool to reach our shared goal. Appealing directly to our New Hampshire State Representatives and Senators, if you support efforts by the cities and towns you represent to re-purpose non-productive properties into income producing renewable energy generators, to solve our revenue shortfalls innovatively without demanding more “State aid”, to capitalize upon the environmental benefits from the construction of larger renewable energy systems, then I respectfully ask you to over-ride the Governor’s veto of SB 446.
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Posted on August 1, 2018
Nobis Group was awarded a 10-Year contract by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide comprehensive on-call Environmental Services and Operations (ESO) at Superfund and Brownfield sites throughout EPA Regions 1, 2, and 3. This contract has a ceiling capacity of $320 Million which will be shared amongst several awarded firms. “Nobis has been partnering with EPA on their Superfund program since 1996. We’re extremely proud of this award and the opportunity to continue helping EPA cleanup these sites and improve communities,” said Nobis’ Pete Delano, Senior Vice President.
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Posted on June 21, 2018
Name change reflects growth of services offered by New England-based company
The engineering consulting firm well known across New England as Nobis Engineering is changing its name to Nobis Group. While continuing to provide trusted solutions and outstanding service to each valued client, the name change better reflects Nobis’ overall offered services and expertise, and continued growth.
“For many years, we’ve delivered expertise and solutions to our clients that extend far beyond the traditional engineering design services Nobis was founded upon. Today, Nobis’ expertise includes site remediation, renewable energy, water supply, construction management, as well as the development of healthcare, education, housing, and transit project solutions”, said Ken Koornneef, President and CEO.
“We exist to solve problems for our clients. Our name change and new website better reflects Nobis’ brand, our culture, and the talent that our employee-owners provide our clients every day,” says Ken Koornneef.
Founded in 1988, Nobis Group is a 90-person employee-owned engineering and science consulting firm serving public and private sector clients throughout New England with offices in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
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Posted on May 7, 2018
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
Ironically, while opponents continue to cheer the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee’s recent decision to deny a permit to build Northern Pass-one of the largest scale renewable energy projects ever proposed for New England-the newest movement to save the planet is quickly gaining steam (or should I say volts). Sixteen countries (including the United States-California to be more specific) have implemented bans on the internal combustion engine-and over the next decade will require everyone to start driving electric vehicles (EVs).
Now do I think EVs are a good idea? Sure I do! About ten years ago, I drove one of the earliest Prius’ and was impressed with its combination of power, economy, and low emissions. With the remarkable technological advances since then, I can only imagine today’s electrics are even more appealing.
But before everyone goes off and buys an EV to “save the planet” we’d better think through the amount of electrical energy needed to go from gas hose to extension cord.
The Energy Information Agency reports the New England states use more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Knowing one gallon of gasoline converts to 32.6 kilowatt-hours of electrical energy, a quick calculation shows that to replace all those 10,000-gallon tanker trucks rolling to your local gas station with electricity available at your home or charging station would require the New England grid to provide an additional 200,000 gigawatt-hours of energy. A big number, for sure, but what does it mean?
To put it into perspective, let’s compare the need for an additional 200,000 gigawatt-hours of energy to the amount of electrical energy consumed on the New England grid today. The Independent System Operators of New England (ISO-NE)-the group tasked with (among many other things) ensuring our electrical grid remains reliable-reports that our region’s annual average electric usage is about 120,000 gigawatt-hours. Comparing these two numbers demonstrates that if we really want to replace gasoline powered vehicles with EVs we would need to nearly double the amount of electricity produced in New England. As Tim the Tool Man Taylor would say, “we need More Power”!
OK, now that we know how much additional power we need, where are we going to get it? Well, let’s look at the most recent large-scale infrastructure project that most everyone has heard about-the Northern Pass. When completed it would have delivered about 1 gigawatt of electricity to the New England grid. If we assume this amount of power would have flowed onto the grid 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, then the project would have provided 8760 gigawatt-hours of power. If you compare that amount of power to what would be needed to charge our EVs (200,000 gigawatt-hours), it would essentially take 23 Northern Pass projects to meet just our transportation energy needs. With Seabrook producing about 1.2 gigawatts and running at 100% efficiency, it would take 19 new Seabrook size nuclear plants to meet the power needs of an electrically powered transportation sector.
Now seriously, after the out-and-out public assault against Seabrook and the recent Northern Pass fiasco, can anyone remotely imagine the general public ever allowing this type of infrastructure build-out? Not!
It’s wonderful to dream of a day when we no longer need fossil fuels. It feels good to blame the “less educated” for destroying the environment while the “educated” proclaim to have all the solutions. But the bottom line is there are no easy solutions. For every action there’s a reaction-and in this case the reaction to “going electric” is the need for a massive expansion of our electrical generating and transmission infrastructures.
Based on the region’s most recent visceral rejection of replacing transmission lines (Northern Pass) and upgrading existing pipelines (Kinder Morgan), I don’t think anyone needs to stress over whether or not to sell your shares of Exxon-Mobil any time soon!
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Posted on April 12, 2018
New leadership aims to continue the company’s mission of providing high-quality work and service to its customers
The founder and CEO of Nobis Engineering will step into a different role this month, paving the way for new leadership. Abhijit “Nannu” Nobis will step aside as CEO and serve in the role as Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of the Board. Nobis Engineering President Ken Koornneef will then assume the role of CEO and President, overseeing the overall management of the company and setting the course for the future.
“We have always focused on serving our customers,” said Koornneef, who has worked at the Nobis for 29 years. “My role as CEO is to continue that mission.”
According to Nannu Nobis, “The company was founded about 30 years ago and Ken has been right there since the beginning, helping set the direction of the company.”
As he steps away from oversight of the day-to-day operations of the company, Nannu Nobis will focus more on providing guidance and strategic advice to company leadership through this transition and in creating the long-term vision of the company.
“Ken has played a vital role in shaping Nobis’ commitment to our clients, values, and culture of empowered employee-owners. As CEO, Ken will draw on his vision, while ensuring our commitment to clients, employees, and the communities we do business in,” said Nobis.
Founded in 1988, the Nobis Engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm with offices in Concord, NH, Lowell, MA, and Naugatuck, CT, with about 90 employees. Nobis serves private and governmental clients throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas, offering specialized civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental investigation, clean up, and permitting services. This change in leadership will not impact the high-quality service Nobis has long provided to customers.
“Nobis Engineering has long had close ties to many communities throughout New England, and I expect those close connections to continue,” said Koornneef.
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Posted on April 6, 2018
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
I recently attended the New Hampshire Energy Week breakfast and heard Taylor Caswell, Commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, tell a familiar yet disturbing story. He shared with us a recent conversation he had with one of our larger manufacturers located in the southern part of the state. Business leaders from the company told the Commissioner they would probably not leave the state… that was the good news. The bad news was, the company had no plans to expand in New Hampshire. The reason? The continued high cost of electricity!
Company leadership told the Commissioner their annual electric bill was $3M. They also shared with him that like many other New Hampshire businesses they were being courted by a southern state to expand their operations “down there” where their comparable electric bill would be $1M. After sharing this grim comparison, Commissioner Caswell paused, looked out over the crowd, and then said, “How do I compete with that much of a disparity in electricity costs? We simply have to do something!”
For Commissioner Caswell, it was clear this was his “canary in the coal mine” moment. For years I’ve been warning anyone who would listen that the business community has been patiently waiting to see if New Hampshire was serious about doing something to reduce the highest electricity costs in the country. Approval of the Northern Pass was the one project that would have given manufacturers some solace that we all realized how devastating these rates have been to their businesses and that we were committed to making decisions to address the problem.
With the recent Site Evaluation Committees’ unanimous vote to squash the project-along with their most recent ruling to do nothing until their written decision has been released (in other words, several more months of delay)-it is a very clear sign we either don’t understand the incredible stress the high cost of electricity is placing on our manufacturers or, worse yet, we simply don’t care!
Regardless which is true, Commissioner Caswell should be prepared to hear many other business leaders tell him the same story. After all, I’ve been hearing the same story for the past five years.
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Posted on March 20, 2018
Abhijit “Nannu” Nobis, founder and CEO of Nobis Engineering, will provide feedback to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on the regional economy from the perspective of a local business owner as a newly appointed member of the Federal Bank’s New England Advisory Council.
The New England Advisory Council is a regional advisory board created to better inform members of the Federal Reserve about the issues impacting small- to mid-sized businesses in the region. The membership is made up of New England business leaders who represent a range of New England industries and organizations. Their task is to provide the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston with information about economic trends they see at their own organizations and industries, as well as share perspectives on business conditions in the region, including employment trends, capital spending, revenue forecasts and access to credit.
Nobis’ two-year term will begin in March when he is scheduled to attend the New England Advisory Council quarterly meeting convened by the Boston Federal Reserve President and CEO, Eric S. Rosengren, at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. Nobis is one of nine prominent business leaders tapped to serve on the Council.
“I am honored to have been selected and am looking forward to providing my input on the economic issues most important to New Hampshire’s business community,” said Nobis. “In a state where small business drives our economic engine, it is vital that the diverse voices on Main Street are heard.”
About Nannu Nobis and Nobis Engineering
Abhijit “Nannu” Nobis is a licensed engineer, and founder and CEO of Nobis Engineering, a multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm with offices in Concord, N.H., Lowell, Mass., and Naugatuck, Conn. Nobis Engineering serves private and governmental clients throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas, providing specialized civil engineering, geotechnical engineering and environmental investigation, clean up and permitting services.
Nannu currently serves as a director of the American Council of Engineering Companies New Hampshire chapter, is the chairman of the board of directors of Granite United Way, and the past chairman of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. Previously Nannu served as a former Trustee of New Hampshire Public Radio, and Director of Early Learning New Hampshire. In addition to his board duties, he frequently rolls up his sleeves to help with Habitat for Humanity, NH Food Bank and local community organizations.
Nannu was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the 2012 New Hampshire Small Business Person of the Year and was recently selected by a jury of his peers from New Hampshire’s various engineering societies as the 2018 New Hampshire Engineer of the Year.
Nannu received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India, his Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and completed several executive management programs at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in Hanover, New Hampshire.
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Posted on February 28, 2018
Abhijit “Nannu” Nobis, of Nobis Engineering, Inc., was selected by a jury of his peers from New Hampshire’s engineering societies as the “2018 New Hampshire Engineer of the Year.” The American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire (ACEC-NH) nominated Nobis based on his record of professional accomplishments, service to the profession, and contributions to the community. He received this award at the 67th Annual Engineer’s Week Banquet on February 22 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH.
Having helped nominate prior awardees, Nannu was stunned to be on the receiving end this time. “They may have selected me individually but it’s really a testament to all the professionals I have had the incredible good fortune to work with everyday these past 29 years,” said Nannu.
Nannu received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India. He emigrated to the United States in 1978 and earned his Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering in 1979 from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He went on to complete several executive management programs at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Nannu, as the founder and CEO of Nobis Engineering, developed a multi- disciplinary consulting firm with offices in Concord, New Hampshire, Lowell, Massachusetts, and Naugatuck, Connecticut. He instilled many of his personal values into the firm’s culture, including a Community Outreach Program and an employee incentive for volunteer commitments.
Nannu has been a tireless member of the ACEC NH Board of Directors since the mid-1990s. His community leadership positions include serving as the current chair of Granite United Way, former chair of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, a former Trustee of New Hampshire Public Radio, and a former board member of Early Learning New Hampshire. In addition to his board duties, he frequently rolls up his sleeves to help with Habitat for Humanity, New Hampshire Food Bank, and local community organizations. Nannu was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the 2012 New Hampshire Small Business Person of the Year. His firm has also received numerous awards in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and nationally.
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Posted on February 27, 2018
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development, Mayor City of Franklin, NH
I’m sure everyone remembers the story behind “a shot heard round the world.” It happened in Concord, MA and was the first official engagement between British and Colonial forces. At the time, no one would have ever imagined this skirmish would forever be remembered as the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. In retrospect, that engagement also led to the creation of the greatest industrial powerhouse the world has ever known-the United States of America. My prediction is the recent New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee decision to kill the Northern Pass project (ironically delivered in Concord, NH), will be the “Second Shot Heard Round the World” and will eventually lead to the demise of whatever industry we have left in New England.
What justification do I have to make such a bold prediction? Over the past five years, I’ve sat around the table with dozens of manufacturing sector leaders from Sturm-Ruger, Sig Sauer, Lindt Chocolate, Holden Engineering, and dozens more. Their message has been consistently loud and clear. Electric rates in New Hampshire have to come down or they, not will, but they MUST move to a state with lower rates.
Their reasoning is sound. After factoring the price of electricity into their final product, they simply can’t compete with their competitors who often times only pay half the cost for their electricity. Also factor in that these New Hampshire companies receive weekly solicitations from southern economic development agencies offering them property tax forgiveness, free land, and sometimes free buildings, if they simply decide to move to their state. When you look at what’s happening in “don’t build it here” New Hampshire and compare it to the sweet deals being offered in in other states, you have the perfect recipe for a disastrous industrial mass exodus.
What is most disturbing about the recent SEC decision was during our roundtable meetings, New Hampshire industrial leaders often stressed that they would watch the Northern Pass project as a sign the region was serious about doing something to lower the cost of electricity. If Northern Pass failed, then they would, at best, stop all consideration of future growth, and, at worse, they would relocate to another part of the country.
Opponents of Northern Pass point to its destruction of our scenic beauty and vacation ambiance. Even though concessions made by Northern Pass throughout project review mitigated these claims, the bottom line is before you can enjoy scenic beauty and rural vistas you need to put food on your table and cloths on your family’s back. With manufacturing employing more than 75,000 people in the Granite State-and double that many people employed by companies that provide support services to the manufacturing sector-what happens when that manufacturer shutters their plant? When a major plant closes in my City, what do I tell those families whose lives are ruined by such a short-sighted SEC decision? Well one thing’s for sure. As we attempt to recover from what would be nothing less than a catastrophe, I’ll make sure to give them the names and contact numbers of the seven-member SEC that made the decision that led to those closures. Maybe those seven members can answer my constituents’ questions better than me. I’ll also refer them to those editorial writers who believed it was more important to preserve vistas than feed families, educate children, and feel the pride of earning wages from putting in an honest day’s work! Once again, I’ll let them explain it to those families in their own words.
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Posted on January 3, 2018
Under a competitive process, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New England District has awarded Nobis Engineering, Inc. (Nobis) a 5-year, $25,000,000 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type contract to perform environmental remediation services at the Elizabeth Mine Superfund Site in Strafford, Vermont.
The Elizabeth Mine Superfund Site is an abandoned copper mine and is recognized as one of the largest and most intact historic mining sites in New England. The mine was operated from the early 1800s until its closure in 1958 with more than 3,000,000 tons of ore mined. The mine area is a source of heavy metals and sediment impacts to the Copperas Brook and Lord Brook watersheds, which all discharge to the West Branch Ompompanoosuc River and eventually flow into the Connecticut River.
Under this contract Nobis will manage and perform the consolidation and capping of mining waste in the Lord Brook Source Area to minimize the discharge of contaminants to Lord Brook. Prior to consolidation and capping activities, the South Mine and South Open Cut pit lakes will be dewatered and steep exposed bedrock slopes will be stabilized and blasted. Disturbed areas will be restored with a natural soil cover and a variety of seed mixtures to encourage the return of native species. Additional tasks will include operation of the active water treatment system located at the toe of the on-site tailing impoundment, installation of a passive treatment system to replace the active water treatment system, and adit closure activities.
Nobis previously performed remediation services at this site under a USACE 5-year, $25,000,000 Remedial Action Contract, where they managed and executed the capping of waste materials and the operation of the site’s water treatment plant. This work, completed in 2016, included the consolidation and capping of over 300,000 cubic yards of waste rock and tailings, the treatment of 20,000,000 gallons of contaminated water, and the implementation of innovative green remediation strategies which led to the project being selected for the 2014 USACE National Headquarters Green Dream Team Sustainability Award.
“We are tremendously pleased and grateful Nobis has been chosen again by the USACE New England District as their Elizabeth Mine site partner and remediation contractor for the next five years. Along with our team members, we look forward to delivering excellence, responsiveness, and results to the New England District, the EPA, and the community” said Nannu Nobis, CEO of Nobis Engineering.
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Posted on December 11, 2017
Diane Baxter, LSP earned her Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional (LSP). Ms. Baxter has over 20 years of experience planning, implementing, and managing hazardous waste site remedial investigations, feasibility studies, treatability studies, and remedial actions for federal clients.
Patrick Clarke, PE received his Massachusetts Professional Engineer License. As Project Engineer with five years of experience, he specializes in performing geotechnical investigations and foundation designs for transportation improvement and site redevelopment projects throughout New England. His experience includes providing geotechnical design for building and parking garage foundations, bridge replacements, roadway improvements, and recreational trails.
Adam Roy, LSP, CHMM earned his Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional (LSP). Mr. Roy has over 15 years of experience managing complex soil and groundwater investigation and remediation projects, performing Brownfields assessments and cleanups, and overseeing the operation of remedial treatment systems.
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Posted on December 11, 2017
Scott Harding, PE has been promoted to the role of Director, Federal Services. In his new role, Mr. Harding will lead Nobis’ federal marketing and business development strategies, develop and maintain client relationships, and support Nobis’ growth in the federal marketplace. Mr. Harding joined Nobis in 1992 and has over 20 years of experience working in the federal market as both a Program Manager and Project Manager on a variety of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. He currently serves as the Program Manager for Nobis on the EPA Region 1 Remedial Action Contract (RAC) where he oversees over 25 projects involving investigations and remedial actions at Superfund and Brownfield sites throughout New England. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Mr. Harding will continue to meet and exceed the needs of our federal clients, while strengthening Nobis’ presence in the federal marketplace.
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Posted on July 10, 2017
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
As the old saying goes, “Success is 80% attitude and 20% aptitude.” If this is truly the case, we have a long way to go before we can save Mother Earth from the ravages of global warming!
OK, by now we’ve all heard the story. Ever since James Watt invented the steam engine in 1769, modern civilization has been belching carbon dioxide (one of many by-products from burning fossil fuels) into the atmosphere. Over the past 250 years, scientists have learned that carbon dioxide (CO2) is a “greenhouse” gas-meaning it allows the sun’s infrared radiation in, but prevents those warming rays from escaping back out into space. Because of this phenomenon, scientists also claim that the more CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, the more the planet will warm to a point where it’s simply uninhabitable.
Now whether you believe this doomsday scenario or not, there are the following facts to consider. First, CO2 is a greenhouse gas. Second, from analyses of global ice cores, CO2 levels in the atmosphere remained stable from 1000AD all the way up to the invention of the steam engine. Third, from the beginning of the industrial revolution to present, atmospheric CO2 has increased nearly 40%-and with it, global temperatures have increased about 1.8oF.
For the past 30 years, climatologists have predicted a doubling of prehistoric CO2 (those consistent levels measured over the last 1000 years) would increase global temperatures by 3.5oF. Seeing we’ve increased levels by 40% and temperatures have risen half that 3.5oF, it appears from the data their predictions are right on target.
So, if you believe warming of the planet will lead to catastrophic results, what are we to do? It seems the one obvious action would be to replace fossil fuel combustion with non- CO2 emitting renewable forms of energy. After all, it stands to reason that if global temperatures increased as CO2 levels increased so might temperatures stabilize if the rate of CO2 emissions decreased.
To calculate if there would be enough renewable energy sources to completely replace fossil fuels, David JC MacKay published “Sustainable Energy-without all the hot air”. In his book, Mr. MacKay meticulously dissects humanity’s consumption of energy (heating, cooling, transportation, etc.) and then attempts to replace that consumption with renewables (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, etc.). Spoiler warning!!! In his conclusion, he finds there’s enough renewable energy sources to completely replace fossil fuels.
So, from a scientific (aptitude) perspective, there’s reason to celebrate! We have the knowledge to save the planet. But remember, aptitude is only 20% of our success. The other 80% is attitude.
Do you think we have the right attitude to make the switch to renewables? Certainly from watching Hollywood elites and main stream media you would think we do. But when you look locally and heed the advice of Tip O’Neil, the great politician and former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, who said “All politics is local!”-we are doomed!
Although Mr. MacKay wrote his book in 2008 with a focus on energy usage and renewable resources in Britain, he saw then what we in the United States see today-a societal attitude against the switch to renewables. As Mr. MacKay summarized, “Yes, technically Britain has huge renewable resources. But realistically, I don’t think Britain can live on renewables. I am partly driven to this conclusion by the chorus of opposition that greets any major renewable energy proposal. If the British are good at one thing, it’s saying no!”.
Sound familiar to what’s going on right now in our very backyards? “No” to Northern Pass (hydro), “no” to Cape Wind (wind turbine), “no” to Great Bay power (underwater turbines), “no” to Kinder-Morgan and Spectra natural gas pipelines (granted still a fossil fuel but the intent is to replace the highest carbon emitters-coal and heavy oil-with the planet’s lowest emitting fossil fuel). It appears the American colonies inherited one thing from mother Britain-her propensity to say, “No!”.
In short, we have the aptitude to make significant change to our environment. But until we adopt the right attitude the only change we’re sure to see is an ever-warming planet.
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Posted on May 22, 2017
We are pleased to to announce Nannu Nobis has been selected by Granite United Way as its Board Chair. Nannu has been on the board since 2010 and has happily accepted the offer to chair.
“We are fortunate to have Nannu Nobis leading our Board of Directors,” said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way. “Nannu has been a Loyal Contributor and Leadership donor to Granite United Way. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to collaborating with community leaders across all sectors will undoubtedly result in positive change in our community. I am honored to work with Nannu on the goals our Board has set forth.”
“I am humbled to have been elected to the position of Granite United Way Board Chair,” said Nobis. “There is a tremendous amount of work that has been done by our Board of Directors, the staff and volunteers, but we know there is much more we are striving to accomplish. I look forward to working with the staff, our Board and our tireless volunteers and partners statewide to improve conditions in our local communities and across our entire state.”
Congratulations, Nannu!
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Posted on April 7, 2017
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
Zeolite, Mother Nature’s aluminosilicate mineral with amazing remedial characteristics, has been studied and utilized for millennia. But as civilization changes, so does its applications.
In my first article in this series, I presented preliminary results of zeolite’s effectiveness in capturing toxic metals leached from coal ash. Why specifically focus on coal ash? Because millions of tons of the stuff currently lie across the globe in conditions highly susceptible to releasing toxic metals into the surrounding environment. Those responsible for managing this waste would welcome a simple inexpensive way to minimize its metal-leaching potential.
Up to now, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has encouraged the re-use of coal ash by adding it to Portland cement and aggregate. Once cured, the resulting concrete has shown promise in effectively locking in those toxic metals.
The drawbacks are you either need lots of customers for all that concrete or a whole lot of space to store all those resulting concrete blocks. Literature studies also report that for maximum metal sequestration you need four parts of Portland cement for every one part of coal ash. With the high cost of Portland cement, this solution can be prohibitively expensive.
Enter Niles International Corporation’s (NIC) patented zeolite. Our research partner, XDD Remedial Solutions (XDD), has found that mixing just one part zeolite with one part coal ash achieved excellent metal sequestration. XDD also found that mixing NIC zeolite with coal ash and then adding this mixture to one part Portland cement concrete achieved exceptional results. As the saying goes, a picture (or in this case a chart) is worth a thousand words, so please review XDD’s summary of findings in the chart located in my LinkedIn article. http://goo.gl/aA9ljs
Based on these findings, Nobis Engineering, along with NIC, Remedial Technology Distributors (RTD) and XDD, has brought to the coal and power industries several options for substantially reducing metal leachate from coal ash. The simplest, least expensive and effective option would be to blend one part ash with one part NIC zeolite. The somewhat costlier but most effective approach would be to take the blended zeolite/coal ash and mix it with one part Portland cement to form a very stable concrete. With all that coal ash lying around, there’s a huge inexpensive feedstock just waiting to be utilized. Now if we could only find a project that will need a whole lot of concrete? Hmmm… wait, didn’t I hear about a big wall going up somewhere?!
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Posted on March 20, 2017
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
A friend once said, “humans are the earth’s virus-where ever we go we infect and destroy!” A pretty harsh indictment of the most successful and prolific life form on the planet. But, truth be told, we do profoundly impact our environment… and often that impact is negative.
One major example is our ever-growing need for energy. A major source of that energy here and throughout the world is coal. One of the by-products of coal combustion is residual ash which is naturally high in metals. When this ash contacts water, the metals are released and often end up in streams, ponds, and rivers-where they are toxic to wild and human life.
With millions of tons of coal ash currently stored in a manner that’s susceptible to leaching toxic metals to surface and groundwater, there needs to be an effective affordable solution to capture those contaminants before they escape into our environment.
Just as the earth has provided many of the ingredients for curing human ailments, it’s not surprising that it has also provided a natural solution to the coal ash dilemma. Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral with unique abilities to absorb a wide range of impurities from liquids and solids. Nobis Engineering has teamed with Moleculoc, Remedial Technology Distributors (RTD), and XDD Remediation Solutions (XDD) to study the ability of Moleculoc’s patented enhanced zeolite to capture the toxic metals before they are released to the environment.
Preliminary bench tests performed on twelve different coal ash metals have been impressive. “The little mineral that could” has reduced copper leachate by 99.6%, cadmium by 92%, zinc by 94%, and beryllium by 99.1%. When the ash was mixed with zeolite and concrete, results were even better.
So it looks like once again Mother Earth has provided a natural remedy to help fight off the infection caused by humans-her loving yet problematic “virus”. Nobis Engineering along with Moleculoc, RTD, and XDD will continue to provide the coal and power industries with significant data to demonstrate that zeolite is an effective affordable solution for sequestering metals found in residual coal ash. Please stay tuned to my LinkedIn page as I publish additional supportive laboratory results.
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Posted on March 2, 2017
We are pleased to announce the addition of two new staff members to our New England offices.
Stephanie Wilcinski joined the Marketing Team in the Lowell, MA office as a Graphic Designer/Communications Specialist. Stephanie brings over 5 years of experience in her field including both print and digital media, and will assist Nobis in strengthening its internal and external communications. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in both Graphic Design and Mathematics from Assumption College.
Mansi Chhatralia joined the Civil Team in the Concord, NH office as a Staff Engineer. Mansi received her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from B.V.M. Engineering College and recently her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Merrimack College. She previously worked as an Engineering Assistant and Infrastructure Planner.
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Posted on February 1, 2017
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
Benjamin Franklin once said, “There are only two things certain in life: death and taxes.” Now I’m not here to challenge old Ben, but I’ve lived long enough to feel pretty confident about adding one more to his list. That is, “There are only three things certain in life: death, taxes, and the sun will rise tomorrow.” And with that third certainty comes the opportunity to capture a free source of energy to power our homes, businesses, and planet.
Although having the ability to consistently and with certainty capture an unlimited free power source sounds like a “no lose” business proposition, the solar industry has always faced stiff head-winds. Their most formidable challenge has always been to lower the cost to convert that free energy into a useable form that is competitive with fossil fueled sources (brown power). Equally challenging is navigating the continuously shifting support for politically imposed subsidies to “level the playing field” between the comparatively higher cost of green solar versus cheaper brown power.
So, knowing cost is the pivotal factor, can the solar industry ever achieve price equity with brown power? I believe the answer is a resounding yes!
As is typically the case, technology is revolutionizing the solar industry (I’m sure Ben Franklin would appreciate my choice of words here!). Solar voltaic panels are becoming more efficient at lower production costs. A short five years ago, it cost nearly $4/watt to produce solar power. Two years ago, that cost was halved to $2/watt, and today it has halved again to just about $1/watt.
In terms of cost per kilowatt hour, 2 years ago when Nobis started working with solar developers, the price needed to support a solar project was in the 12-15 cents per kilowatt-hour range compared to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour for brown power. Today, solar developers are building projects with a sale price of 8-10 cents per kilowatt-hour. As you can see (and what should be music to everyone’s ears) is solar power is rapidly closing the price gap with its arch rival brown power.
The rapidly falling price of solar really “kills two birds with one stone.” As the price gap narrows, consumer’s generally choose the greener source. And with that all important consumer choice, the need for unpredictable subsidies evaporates.
Because of advanced technologies, lower equipment costs, and a diminishing reliance on subsidies, the future of solar looks bright (pun intended)! With more than two years of solar project design and having permitted more solar in New Hampshire than any other firm to date, Nobis Engineering is strategically positioned to grow right alongside this burgeoning industry.
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Posted on July 5, 2016
Nobis is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the firm’s Board of Directors: Kirk Leoni, CPA, a Principal with Nathan Wechsler & Company of Concord, NH; and Roseline Marston, President of A.D. Marble & Company of Conshohocken, PA.
“We are all very pleased to announce the election of Kirk and Rose as our newest board members. Their joining the board marks a key milestone for Nobis. Their commitment, talent, and experience will play a critical role towards the continued growth of our business, our leadership, and each of our employee owners” said Nannu Nobis, CEO of Nobis Engineering.
Kirk B. Leoni, CPA, Principal, Nathan Wechsler & Company
Kirk Leoni, CPA, joined Nathan Wechsler in 1985 and served as the firm’s managing director from 2004 to 2014. He specializes in manufacturing, construction, and non-profits and provides consulting on succession planning to business owners and managers. Mr. Leoni earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Isenberg School of Business. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership New Hampshire. In 2012, Mr. Leoni was honored by the governor of New Hampshire earning the Volunteer Service Award, and in 2014 he received the New Hampshire Board Impact Award from the NH Center for Non-Profits.
Roseline H. Marston, President, A.D. Marble & Company
Roseline Marston is the president of A.D. Marble & Company, an environmental, cultural, and engineering employee-owned company near Philadelphia. As the leader of an ESOP company, Ms. Marston knows that it takes a different kind of leader to guide the company. She understands how important it is to be as transparent as possible and communicate effectively to earn the trust of her co-owners. Ms. Marston graduated from Cornell University in May 1991 with a Bachelor of Science and went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management at the Oceanography Laboratory at Nova Southeastern University in June 1995. She has been with A.D. Marble since 1997 and has been the firm’s president since 2005.
Ms. Marston is a board member for The Philadelphia Foundation, an organization dedicated to maximizing the strategic impact that charitable contributions have on the community in the Philadelphia region. She was elected to the Board of Advisors for the ESOP Association in 2015. She is also an active member of the American Council of Engineering Companies’ board in Pennsylvania and the March of Dimes Transportation luncheon board.
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Posted on June 13, 2016
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) I-93 Widening Project has won an America’s Transportation Award in the category for the Best Use of Innovation. This award was presented by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Automobile Association (AAA). It is the direct result of NHDOT, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), the communities, the prime contractors, and the consultants – including Nobis Engineering – working together to make the I-93 widening project a reality.
The innovation recognized – and that which led to this award for NHDOT and the entire project team – was protecting water quality with improved stormwater management methods. Construction along the I-93 corridor, and particularly at exit 3, created a public outcry early in the project as a result of sediment getting into a nearby lake and creating turbid conditions. Conventional erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) and typical management approaches to construction had proven inadequate to meet stringent NH water quality standards and the public’s demand for environmentally friendly construction.
The stormwater treatment emphasis changed from conventional perimeter controls and filtration BMPs to a comprehensive stormwater management plan that included calculating runoff volumes and storage capacities, creating clean water diversions around active construction areas and the use of soil binders, cofferdams, pumps, and flocculant treatment systems to contain and treat virtually all stormwater runoff prior to release. The implementation of state of the art stormwater technologies has proven to be more valuable than just maintaining regulatory compliance; clean construction techniques have increased public support for the project, which helped NHDOT achieve its primary objective to create an opportunity corridor benefiting the local and regional economies of NH.
Nobis’ John St. John, CWS, CPESC, worked closely with NHDOT and NHDES to recommend and design the components of the stormwater management plan. John has been at the forefront of the I-93 construction activities and the implementation of the stormwater technologies and has provided oversight of the operation and maintenance of the stormwater management systems.
Great work, John, and congratulations to you and the entire NHDOT team for your win of the Best Use of Innovation Award and the many accomplishments achieved to deliver a successful project!
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Posted on May 31, 2016
By Tony Giunta, PG, Director of Project Development
The hot media topic for the week of May 22nd was the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee’s (SEC) vote to delay their decision on the Northern Pass project to September of 2017. As the end of that week rolled into Memorial Day weekend, I wonder how many families gathered around the barbeque and talk about how this action will affect their lives? My guess is few to none!
That’s too bad because the SEC’s vote to delay is serious stuff and it has the potential to adversely impact each and every one of us. With the Northern Pass project projected to deliver an estimated $80 million dollars in direct electricity cost savings, it will delay relief on all our high electric bills. With fossil fueled power plants quickly replacing retiring zero carbon emission nuclear plants, the SEC delay is jeopardizing our environment by allowing high carbon emitting sources to come on-line before clean low emission hydropower is approved. But most importantly, the SEC delay is risking every New Hampshire job directly and indirectly dependent upon our fragile manufacturing sector.
To my fellow citizens throughout New Hampshire-if your job is in any way connected with the manufacturing industry please understand that your livelihood, employment opportunities for your children and grandchildren, and your desire for a clean carbon-free future depends on approval of projects like Northern Pass. Realize that your employers are being crippled by the highest electricity costs in the nation. As their overall cost to produce products continues to skyrocket, manufacturers are finding it more and more difficult to compete with their domestic and global competitors. Inevitably, their only logical choice for survival will be relocation.
Up to now, there has been a glimmer of hope that large projects delivering cheaper energy were in our foreseeable future. But the SEC’s decision to delay Northern Pass sends a very bad signal to manufacturers-one which will be interpreted as an indifference to their plight and a clear sign that “it’s time to go!”
So, if you, your family members, your friends have jobs dependent on manufacturing, it’s time to be concerned. If you care about your environment and would like to see our society strive to achieve an affordable carbon free economy, then it’s time to be concerned. When you started reading this article, you may have had no interest in the SECs recent decision to delay the Northern Pass. But hopefully you now realize it’s time to sit up and take notice it’s time to pay attention because delaying a decision on Northern Pass really does affect you!
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Posted on May 24, 2016
Nobis has announced the promotion of three individuals in its Lowell, Massachusetts office.
“Nobis is proud to announce the promotion of these three talented and dedicated team members who have been committed to the growth of the firm and delivering each day for our clients,” said Ken Koornneef, P.E., President.
Jeff Brunelle, PG has been promoted to Project Manager. Jeff is a Professional Geologist with 17 years of experience leading soil and groundwater investigation and remediation, brownfields, and hazardous building material projects for numerous public and sector clients.
Deborah Chisholm has been promoted to Project Manager. She has 26 years of environmental planning, site assessment, remediation, redevelopment, and regulatory experience throughout New England.
Adam Roy, CHMM has been promoted to Project Manager. Adam is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager with 15 years of experience leading complex soil and groundwater investigation and remediation projects and brownfields assessments, as well as operating and maintaining remedial treatment systems.
“We remain focused on the professional growth of our employees. We congratulate Jeff, Deb, and Adam on their deserved promotions and their leadership towards the continued growth of Nobis,” said Nobis’ CEO, Nannu Nobis, P.E.
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Posted on May 18, 2016
Kurt Jelinek, PE has been promoted to Associate in our Lowell, Massachusetts office.
“We’re extremely pleased to announce Kurt Jelinek as Nobis’ newest Associate. Kurt’s outstanding dedication and leadership over many years has been a key ingredient towards the growth of our transportation practice and company,” said Ken Koornneef, P.E., President of Nobis. “As Director of Transportation Services, Kurt has been extremely focused on delivering engineering solutions and building lasting client relationships.”
With more than 25 years of geotechnical, civil, and environmental experience, Kurt is a registered Professional Engineer involved in a variety of complex design, design-build, and construction projects involving bridge, rail, and highway infrastructure, as well as projects in the commercial development, education, housing, and energy markets. He is active in the American Society of Civil Engineers, having served as the Boston Chapter Transportation Group Chair, and the American Council of Engineering Companies where he has served as a Member of the Massachusetts Transportation Agency Liaison Committee. Kurt completed a Post-Graduate Fellowship in Civil/Environmental Engineering at MIT and holds an M.S. in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering at Utah State University and a B.S. in Geography at Utah State University.
Visit Kurt’s bio here.
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Posted on May 13, 2016
Tony Giunta, Senior Client Manager in Nobis’ Concord office, was recognized by the Business Industry Association of New Hampshire with an “Above and Beyond” Award. The award was presented at the group’s annual business meeting and member reception held Thursday, May 12 at the Radisson Hotel Manchester.
The Above and Beyond Award recognizes members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in helping BIA meet its mission which is “To promote a healthy business climate and robust economic future for New Hampshire. Through advocacy with state legislators and regulators, [BIA\ shapes business-friendly public policy and provides counterbalance to legislation and regulations that threaten the growth and prosperity of New Hampshire business.”
“We are pleased with Tony’s efforts to help build business for Nobis and community leaders in New Hampshire and excited about the recognition he received from BIA,” said Ken Koornneef, President.
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Posted on May 9, 2016
We are pleased to announce the hiring of four professionals in our Concord, New Hampshire office. The additions strengthen our geotechnical engineering and environmental capabilities while broadening the mix of clients we serve.
“We’re very pleased to have these four new team members on board at Nobis. Together, Mike, Mark, Jason, and Scott bring a tremendous amount of engineering and environmental talent and added depth to best respond to the growing needs of our clients”, said Pete Delano, P.E., Senior Vice President of Nobis.
Mike Ciance, PE, joins Nobis’ geotechnical engineering practice as a Senior Project Manager with over 24 years of geotechnical investigation and design experience on commercial and institutional projects, institutional/educational facilities, wind farms, commercial real estate developments, dam and levee projects, and environmental restoration projects. Ciance holds a MS in Geotechnical Engineering and a BS in Civil Engineering, both from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.
Mark Henderson, PG, joins Nobis’ environmental practice as a Senior Project Manager with over 25 years of consulting experience completing various environmental studies, remedial actions for petroleum clients, commercial development projects, National Environmental Policy Act assessments, and hazardous materials surveys. Henderson holds a BS in Geology from Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire.
Jason Pelchat joins Nobis as a Senior Project Manager within Nobis’ environmental practice. He has over 18 years of experience completing a variety of commercial projects including environmental investigations, implementing cleanup strategies for soil and groundwater contaminated sites, environmental planning, and providing regulatory compliance expertise. Pelchat holds a BS in Environmental Science from Unity College, Unity, Maine.
Scott Carter, PE, joins Nobis’ growing geotechnical practice as a Senior Project Engineer with over 17 years of experience providing geotechnical engineering services for numerous transportation and commercial projects including bridge and roadway improvements, commercial development, and a variety renewable energy projects including solar and wind energy farms. Carter holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
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