Authors: Patti Meadows and Kallie Davis | octobre 25, 2022
Environmental projects require data collection and analysis, thus data quality and integrity are critical components of our work. TRC teams often have discussions regarding how much field data are necessary to make remedial management decisions about a project. There are several variables that may or may not be in your control that affect this decision:
- You may inherit a project with an existing dataset and aren’t sure if you need to collect additional data, or
- You may be starting a new project and need to collect data to characterize site conditions, but don’t want to exceed your budget in the process.
During efforts to collect and evaluate data of high quality and integrity, extensive planning is undertaken, multiple personnel are mobilized, training is acquired and long days are spent out in the field. Considering all the effort put into the processes which encompass data collection and interpretation, it is important to ensure our investigation efforts result in a technically robust and interpretable dataset that is large enough to be evaluated statistically.
Accomplishing Statistical Goals Using EPA’s ProUCL 5.2 Software
One goal of statistics is to draw meaningful inferences about a population based on limited sample data taken from that population. Although it is often impossible to sample an entire population due to limited resources and budget, your dataset must be large enough to provide technically-defensible and robust statistics.
Statistical software, like United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) ProUCL 5.2, can be used for interpreting environmental data. One common problem users face is having insufficient data for the meaningful calculation of statistics and estimates. To avoid this issue,
ProUCL’s User’s Guide suggests “at least 10 observations should be collected to compute UCLs and various other limits.”
Why A Sample Size of 10?
A sample size of 10 or larger lends to more confidence in the statistical results. When dataset sample sizes are small, errors can occur when calculating statistical data limits, including upper tolerance limits (UTLs) and upper confidence limits (UCLs). There also may be errors when a large number of data points are non-detect. An error message may look like the following image:
By having a sample size of 10 or larger, you can trust that the work of your sampling team results in a dataset which allows you to make quality decisions and recommendations for your site.
Resources:
For more information, the USEPA established ProUCL 5.2 guidance with the publication of the ProUCL Version 5.2.0 User Guide: Statistical Software for Environmental Applications for Data Sets With and Without Nondetect Observations in 2022 (USEPA, 2022). This document provides further guidance and best practices for the ProUCL 5.2 software.
TRC’s Experts Can Help
Understanding your project’s data requirements, especially in calculating statistics, can be an overwhelming task. TRC’s Risk Assessment Team and data specialists like Patti Meadows can help you overcome these challenges.
S’adapter au
changement
Collaborez avec les praticiens testés de TRC
Partager nos perspectives
Nos praticiens partagent leurs idées et leurs points de vue sur les tendances et les défis qui façonnent le marché.
Prendre le crédit
mars 15, 2024
Une introduction à l’Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – le plus grand investissement climatique de l’histoire du gouvernement fédéral américain – examinant ce que les gestionnaires d’EH &S doivent savoir sur cette législation de grande portée.
Règles de la SEC en faveur des divulgations liées au climat
mars 8, 2024
Dans une décision climatique tant attendue, la Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a statué 3-2 en faveur des divulgations liées au climat le 6 mars 2024.
L’EPA propose des règles pour la redevance sur les émissions de déchets imposée par l’IRA pour le méthane
février 6, 2024
L’EPA a proposé des règles pour mettre en œuvre le programme de redevance sur les émissions de déchets (WEC) pour les installations qui dépassent un seuil d’émissions de déchets
Ce que vous devez savoir sur la directive européenne sur les rapports de durabilité des entreprises (CSRD)
janvier 19, 2024
Le 1er janvier 2024 marque le début du premier délai de déclaration pour les entreprises dans le cadre de la directive de l’Union européenne sur les rapports sur la durabilité des entreprises (CSRD).
Le voyage vers net zéro commence par comprendre la destination
Décembre 7, 2023
Nous pouvons assurer l’intégrité de la mise en œuvre du zéro émission nette en comprenant le cadre évolutif de la définition de zéro émission nette.
Agrivoltaics: A Sustainable Way to Harvest Sunshine
octobre 10, 2023
Learn how incorporating agricultural practices into your solar development improves project success.
Optimizing Offsets
septembre 7, 2023
Ensure Carbon Offsets Support Your Organization’s Climate Strategy
New Jersey Implements Landmark Environmental Justice Regulations
août 2, 2023
A new landmark Environmental Justice (EJ) law is now effective in New Jersey following a lengthy rulemaking process surrounding the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Administration Order (AO) No. 2021-25. It is the first rule of its kind and the strongest EJ regulation in the nation.
EPA Proposes Regulation of Green House Gas Emissions
juillet 10, 2023
This article highlights the EPA’s proposed rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and the potential impact on new and existing fossil fuel-fired facilities.
California Advances Plastic Packaging Law
juillet 7, 2023
As rulemaking deadlines and compliance timeframes approach, how will your organization be impacted?
Organizing for Project Success
juin 22, 2023
Many organizations are establishing Project Management Organizations (PMOs) to improve project management within their organizations. While there can be many reasons for establishing a PMO, most are established to improve project management with respect to schedule, cost, quality and risk. This article provides an overview of factors to consider when deciding on which type of PMO is most suitable for your organization and how best to implement a successful and high-performing PMO.
Community Benefits Plans – A Winning Formula for Federal Funding
mai 12, 2023
The CBP acts as the project’s roadmap for ensuring communities workers, and other stakeholders have opportunities for meaningful engagement.
New Executive Order 14096 Broadens Environmental Justice Initiatives
mai 9, 2023
Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, seeks to deepen the Biden administration’s “whole-of-government” approach to environmental justice (EJ) by fully integrating the consideration of unserved and overburdened communities and populations into all aspects of federal agency planning and delivery of services.
Agrivoltaics
février 8, 2023
Agrivoltaics is the simultaneous use of land for both solar photovoltaic power generation and agriculture.
VaporSafe™ Continuous Air Monitoring Technology
janvier 9, 2023
VaporSafe™ continuous air monitoring technology can be used as a sustainable solution to identify a vapor intrusion pathway.
Green and Sustainable Remediation
janvier 9, 2023
Green and sustainable remediation (GSR) can optimize remedial activities, minimize environmental footprints and reduce social and economic impacts.
How to Develop a Climate Resiliency Plan for Extreme Weather Events
Décembre 15, 2022
Planning now for weather-related risks is crucial to preserving local communities.
Carbon Sequestration
Décembre 14, 2022
Carbon Sequestration is an emerging technology to combat climate change by mitigating carbon emissions.
Preparing Your RMP Facility for a Future of Extreme Weather
novembre 29, 2022
Facilities dealing with hazardous materials must prepare for extreme weather events that pose a risk to their operations and the community.
Data Requirements to Improve Statistical Decision Making
octobre 25, 2022
One goal of statistics is to draw meaningful inferences but your dataset must be large enough to provide technically-defensible and robust statistics.
Proactive Enforcement is Key in the EPA FY2022-2026 Strategy
octobre 19, 2022
A core element of the EPA FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan focuses on environmental compliance.
Preparing for EPA Inspections in Environmental Justice Communities
octobre 4, 2022
The EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Have Expanded Goals to Strengthen Enforcement and Protections Within EJ Communities
TRC Companies Inc. welcomes the Founder and Key Principals of ESG Advisory Firm Enzo Advisors, LLC
septembre 27, 2022
TRC Companies announces the expansion of its Climate Solutions offering and ESG capabilities with the addition of the Founder and CEO, and key members of Enzo Advisors, LLC
A Green Future for Stormwater Management
septembre 26, 2022
Green Stormwater Management is an effective strategy for flood control and pollution mitigation.
ESG Social Criteria
juin 22, 2022
ESG criteria involve many different factors. In this article, we look at the social aspect of ESG criteria. Contact TRC today to develop your ESG strategy!
ESG vs. CSR | Differences, Definitions & Implementation
juin 19, 2022
ESG and CSR both address the need for corporate social responsibility in businesses but in different ways. Click here to learn more about ESG vs. CSR!
Climate Action and Environmental Justice are at the Forefront of EPA’s Strategic Plan
juin 14, 2022
The EPA issued its Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Although the strategic plans emphases often change with administrations, we can be reasonably certain that the Plan reflects priorities through 2024.
What Are ESG Ratings and How Are They Given?
juin 12, 2022
Your ESG rating can make or break your business’s attractiveness to investors. Learn more about ESG ratings and how they work with TRS Company!
TRC Companies Pledges to Achieve Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2040
avril 26, 2022
TRC Companies, a digitally powered and environmentally focused global professional services firm, announced its commitment to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its full value chain by 2040, aligning with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 °C.
Why Are ESG Frameworks Important?
avril 13, 2022
ESG standards significantly impact long-term growth, leading many companies to integrate ESG reporting into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies. ESG frameworks are broad and diverse, and establishing a reporting system that covers your industry’s most relevant metrics can be challenging.
How Does ESG Address Social Concerns?
février 1, 2022
Social criteria encompass relationship management and how the company fits into the community where it produces its goods or services. Learn more.
How Does ESG Address Corporate Governance?
novembre 15, 2021
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria can direct investors’ decisions regarding which companies they choose to support. Each component plays a crucial role in risk assessment.
How Does ESG Address Environmental Concerns?
octobre 22, 2021
When investors consider where to put their money, they may examine environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, learn about a company’s core values and decide if they align with their own. Young people, in particular, search out this information to make decisions that align with their morals.
What Is Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance?
octobre 10, 2021
Several key considerations help determine whether an investor decides to support a particular company. While many factors can tip the scales, investors are increasingly seeking out businesses that uphold higher standards. Therefore, companies should openly communicate their standards to make it easier for investors to understand their values.
NJDEP Implements New Jersey Environmental Justice Law Through Administrative Order
octobre 5, 2021
On September 22, 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner announced the issuance of Administrative Order (AO) No. 2021-25 to implement New Jersey’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Law. This order is effective immediately, and applicants seeking to site new major source facilities, renew major source permits or expand existing facilities with major source permits (e.g., Title V air permits) in overburdened communities are affected. There are more than 4.5 million people that live within 331 municipalities that are overburdened communities in the state of New Jersey.
Screening ESG Risks in Autonomous Robotics Investments
septembre 9, 2021
Environmental, social & governance (ESG) issues are important considerations with autonomous robotics due to potential reputational risks.
Cryptocurrency: The Environmental Threats and Opportunities
août 9, 2021
Cryptocurrency (also known as crypto) is taking the fintech industry by storm, despite the economic experts who still dismiss it as a viable form of currency. Although often criticized for this volatility, whistleblowers are also further shining a light on the severe toll that these digital currencies are taking on the environment.
Managing EHS & ESG Risks Through Integrated Systems Today and Beyond
juillet 22, 2021
It has been more than 50 years since the development and establishment of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) which were formed to protect our environment and workplaces across the United States. Significant laws, policies and regulations followed to establish the “regulatory programs” that all applicable businesses and entities must address and meet to ensure these compliance-driven legislative programs would create a foundation to protect our society.
The View on Climate Change has Changed in Washington
mars 1, 2021
The Biden Administration signals both a renewed and accelerated focus on climate change.
EHS Due Diligence in 2022
Décembre 7, 2020
Some of observations and trends in the EHS due diligence market since the beginning of the pandemic.
TRC Announces Collaboration with Greenstone Reinforcing Integrated ESG, Sustainability and Climate Risk Solutions
juin 26, 2020
The dominant trend in improving the efficiency and profitability of the logistics and supply chain industry will continue to be achieved through automation. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues can be important considerations for investments in this sector due to potential reputational risks for the acquiring entity. Key issues include negative publicity surrounding the perception of job elimination, as well as the procurement of specialty materials required to produce batteries and other components of autonomous robots. The recycling or responsible disposal at the end of the life of the product is also a key focus especially in Europe. TRC was asked to provide ESG risk screening for a foreign auto manufacturer’s investment in a U.S.-based autonomous robotics company. A two-step approach was taken to access the risks associated with this target. The first step evaluated the inherent risks of the target company’s sector based on its geographical spread and operations using public information like the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the CDC Investment Works Toolkit. The second step involved deeper analysis of ESG risk assessments & insights based on a review of specific controls that the company uses to manage its risks. This included a questionnaire, reviewing company documents and programs, and interviewing company representatives.
COVID-19 and Implications for ESG Investing
juin 3, 2020
This global pandemic has exposed business vulnerabilities and recalibrated material Environmental Social and Governance factors for investors.
Patti Meadows
Patti Meadows is a data specialist within TRC’s Environmental Sector and is located in TRC’s Fort Collins, Colorado office. She has 17 years of experience in data management for human health and ecological risk assessment for a multitude of sites, including US military installments, active/former refineries, and rail yards. Her job focuses on data compilation, data screening, statistical calculations, and final data table preparation for reporting. Contact Patti at pmeadows@trccompanies.com.
Kallie Davis
Kallie Davis is a technical intern within TRC’s Environmental Sector where she spent the summer of 2022 in TRC’s San Francisco office. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in environmental management with an emphasis in ecotoxicology and environmental health at Duke University and hopes to return to TRC next summer.