This week, our very own Fernando L. Rodríguez Ocasio and Carmen M. Figueroa Santiago, key figures in the chemical and environmental engineering sector in Puerto Rico, took to the media to discuss the implications of the new EPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). The new regulation, as we have informed relevant clients that operate Potable Water Systems (PWSs), aims to tighten controls on lead levels in drinking water, ensuring safer public health standards. Their insights, aired on TV and featured in written press coverage, demonstrated our team's expertise and commitment to public health. Both Fernando and Carmen highlighted the significant changes introduced by the rule and the impact these adjustments will have on monitoring and replacing lead-containing service lines across Puerto Rico. Their media presence was supported by our in-house PR coach, Aurimar Rodríguez Morales, who guided them in delivering their technical insights in a way that resonates with the broader audience. We are proud of their contribution to an essential discussion on safeguarding water quality, reaffirming our role as a trusted voice in environmental compliance and public safety. To view the TV interview featuring our team members discussing this critical topic, check out the video linked below, starting around minute 27: Watch Here.
In light of the recent changes to Puerto Rico’s Joint Permits Regulation1, our team at IEMES, PSC is more committed than ever to helping businesses navigate the complexities of operational permits. The revised regulation, which came into effect on January 2, 2021, continues to recognize the need for an integrated approach to government approvals.
Our team acknowledges that the cornerstone of this regulation is the Single Permit (“Permiso Único-PU”), required for new or existing buildings with non-residential uses to start or continue operations. As we had informed some years ago in a blog post, this permit encompasses a range of approvals, including Use Certifications, Categorical Exclusion or applicable environmental document, Fire Prevention Certification, Health Licenses, and any other license or authorization required for the operation of the activity or use of the business. In addition to the Single Permit (PU), we are also equipped to assist with the "Permiso Único Incidental (PUI)", a permit that integrates the Control, Erosion, and Sedimentation Plan (Plan CES) and the 3R Plan (Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling) for construction projects. These plans require recurring inspections or analyses for reporting to agencies, and our team is ready to support our clients in these tasks. Whether you operate a high-traffic volume office, a telecommunications facility, a commercial facility, or even the first urban micro-distillery in Puerto Rico, our team is up-to-date with the requirements for a diverse range of operations. We are here to help you identify the necessary approvals for your activity or operation, ensuring a compliant beginning or continuation of operations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you. Our team at CHES/IEMES is OK! (Thanks to all who have reached out.) As you may already know, Hurricane Fiona brought relentless amounts of water and wind to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. Each member of our team has been accounted for and have been blessed with minimal damage, if any, to our properties. Today, Tuesday, September 20th, 2022, we are all in the process of reaching out to our recurring clients/vendors and contemplating ways in which they all need our assistance. Already re-scheduling trainings yet scheduling necessary inspections or aid, if so necessary. Our team is also involved in the Risk, Emergency, and Disaster Management Commission (CMRED, in Spanish) of the Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyor (CIAPR, in Spanish), through which we will be coordinating aid events and efforts. The administration at CHES/IEMES is providing time, resources, and assistance to our team for assuring business continuity as well as opportunities for integration of such response or recovery efforts.
Refer to a copy of the waiver on the images above on the right. Any questions or need of assistance regarding such waiver, do not hesitate to contact any member of our team.
CHESIEMES Team at ExpoConvención CIAPR 2022 - Fernando as Distinguished Colleague (Carolina Chapter)8/15/2022
This past weekend our team was able to enjoy the networking opportunities and required duties as leaders of some of the Institutes and Chapters within the Puerto Rico Professional College of Engineers and Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish).
Professional forums were on all of our team member's calendar las Friday, August 12th. From moderating sessions such as Climate Change and Services and Technological Applications, Hanna and Auri were able to show their support to continuing education regardless of profession or discipline. Stephanie, Carmen, and Fernando joined Norma I. Torres, another great colleague who's part of the office team's history, at the Occupational Health and Safety module. Revisiting known concepts such as silica sampling and compliance, among other topics, our team was able to also enjoy networking and meeting up with respected colleagues. Our leader, Fernando, was once again exalted as Distinguished Colleague by the CIAPR Carolina Chapter. As a team, we are extremely proud of his achievements and all he has contributed to the Caribbean Region, engineering profession, chemical and environmental disciplines.
What our team has been up to these passed months? Several months have passed since an update was provided on our Team. Needless to say, we have been busy! We have been immersed in projects galore! Thanks to our clients, our team has been gaining and strengthening their expertise in permitting, design projects, operational, and compliance tasks. Extending our services passed our primary jurisdiction, Puerto Rico, we have been involved in international projects and project to continue expanding in 2022. Our certified and licensed engineers have continued their involvement in professional organizations such as the Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Our administration is proud to announce that Ms. Stephanie Hall Laureano, EIT has assumed the position of Treasurer of the Chemical Engineers Institute (IIQ, in Spanish). Ms. Carmen Figueroa Santiago, PE continues her work with IIQ as well as the Humacao Chapter, while also leading the Risks, Emergency, and Emergency Management Commission (CMRED, in Spanish) of CIAPR. Being involved in initiatives focused on leading more resilient lives and sharing knowledge with our community, our employees were involved in setting forth as well as participating in CMRED's first hybrid Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Course. We invite you to view photos by following this link. Furthermore, Ms. Hanna Rodríguez Morales, PE, SC and Mr. Fernando L. Rodríguez Ocasio, PE, SC continue their involvment in leading the SWANA Caribbean-PR Chapter. Participation at WASTECON 2021, corresponding board meetings, as well as leading the organization and teaching the Chapter´s first Waste Screening Course in Spanish taught in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More details provided here: www.swanacaribbean.com/chapter/certifications. Join us in supporting local businesses this holiday season as we will in taking the liberty of promoting Bravada Vodka, distilled locally at an urban microdistillery. Learn more about them at https://www.bravadavodka.com/home, follow them on social media, and share your recipes! Learn about them by following this link. Here is a recipe from our team: We look forward to a fruitful month and closure of 2021 and will soon publish details on office closure dates during this season.
Last December 2019 Environmental Engineers Institute, at the time led by Eng. Lorenzo Iglesias, decided to honor our President and Founder, Eng. Fernando L. Rodríguez Ocasio with the Distinguished Colleague Award for the term 2019-2021 for the excellent work at the service of our profession, professionals, the Institute, and other components of CIAPR. Our team is overly joyed to celebrate this with honor. It is an enormous honor to have him as leader and mentor. We were able to celebrate last Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish).
As we continue to celebrate Eng. Stephanie Hall´s accomplishments (refer to previous post if necessary), our team´s excitement evolve as she has been elected Director on the 2021-2022 Board of the Chemical Engineers Institute (IIQ, in Spanish) at the Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish). As has been experienced by current and past professionals that have been part of our firms´ teams, these recognitions are merely the beginning of challenging but important portion of our professional development and contribution to our island, profession, and professional discipline. The administration at CHESIEMES is excited and has made itself available to support Eng. Hall in this endeavor.
Similarly, we announce the continuation of Eng. Carmen M. Figueroa Santiago´s involvement as Director and Treasurer of the 2021-2022 Board of the Chemical Engineers Institute (IIQ) and the Humacao Chapter of CIAPR. She has worked tirelessly and led, as President, both components for years now and our team continues to honor and praise her commitment. Eng. Figueroa is finalizing her year as President of the Risk, Emergency, and Disaster Management Commission (CMRED) of CIAPR as well and looks forward to continue working on those important topics along with co-worker Eng. Hanna Rodríguez Morales. Further, Eng. H. Rodríguez was re-elected as President of the 2021-2022 Board of the Environmental Engineers Institute (IIAM, in Spanish) of CIAPR. IIAM´s Board of Directors accomplished important milestones, summarized on an online report accessed via the following link. Now, as we approach the final portion of the Summer months, we are excited to announce the accomplishments of our student interns, including the upcoming graduation event of Ms. Monserrat González Garro, who has been with our team for almost two (2) years. Her completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico will put her one step closer to shaping her professional standing in the field. There are several months left before Ms. Estefanía Álvarez Pérez´s graduation but do acknowledge her development within our technical team. She has adjusted from a student intern focused solely focused on improving our Accredited Asbestos School course modules and content to a regular Environmental Engineering Student intern, joining Ms. González, in assisting our team of engineers in diverse tasks. These accomplishments were met with an exciting DesignThinking-IDEAEngineering Workshop created for our team by SeriouslyCreative. It was a challenging and perspective-changing day for each member of our team. Just in time to welcome several important projects coming up in this second half of 2021. We appreciate the team at SeriouslyCreative for their input and tips; we are excited to put into practice those helpful tools! Exciting accomplishments that are more than noteworthy from our team; we summarize some in this post. Adjustments to our workload and protocols have been implemented as Puerto Rico is nearing a phase of the pandemic every territory should strive for: herd immunization (70%+ vaccination of its population). By acknowledging this reduction in risk, the administration at our firm has been able to loosen its protocols and become more comfortable with providing on-site services. The fact that members of our team were involved in massive vaccination events and efforts, led by leaders of components of the Pofessional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish) and VOCES, makes us very proud. Their continuous commitment shows the empathetic side of each member and their respect towards their community. In other thrilling news, our very own Stephanie Hall Laureano worked hard these past months and was able to accomplish Engineer in Training (EIT) status and become correspondingly registered at the local Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (CIAPR, in Spanish). This is as exciting to us as team leaders as it is for her and her family and look forward to continuing being a part of her professional development. It is an honor to have her on our team and be involved in her growth as a respectable professional. ¡Enhorabuena, Ing. Steph, EIT; pa´lante!
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AuthorsFernando L. Rodríguez, PE, SC Archives
August 2024
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