KEC - Projects

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Innovative Propane Tank Management Solutions - During 2020, KEC undertook a creative, in-depth investigation to identify possible propane tank management options  for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Based on the feedback from Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) website Open Forum, along with Internet, email, and telephone outreach findings, KEC recommended eight alternative  management solutions relating to one-pound cylinders and 20-pound tanks.

Recycling and Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Compatibility – In response to the question of whether WTE undermines recycling programs, since 1988, Mr. Kiser has documented the compatibility of the two waste management options. Empirical results have been published and shared in public forums throughout the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Research findings have addressed compatibility concerns raised by stakeholders and answered why WTE communities tend to have higher than average recycling rates.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), NEPA Environmental Compliance Specialist - From 2014 to 2017, Jonathan Kiser teamed with ICF to serve as the Quality Assurance/Quality Management Officer responsible for auditing hundreds of Environmental Assessments and Categorically Excluded Subject To Federal Laws and Authorities (CESTs). These were linked to capital project applications seeking HUD monies to rebuild post-Superstorm Sandy. Mr. Kiser applied his skills with regulatory interpretation, technical due diligence review, analysis, and written compliance reports to ensure project regulatory compliance under National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Farmland Protection Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Noise Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, He also wrote and edited NEPA Compliance Guidance Manuals and advanced complex policy issues relating to air quality, toxic substances, explosive and flammable operations, floodplain management, historic preservation (Indian Tribes), endangered species, and other Statutory Checklist sections. In addition, Mr. Kiser reviewed Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and Tier 2 QA/QM files.

In an unsolicited email correspondence, client NJ DEP singled out Jonathan’s QA/QM NEPA compliance review excellence. Mr. Kiser also received an ICF Certificate of Recognition for his meaningful contributions on behalf of this program. 

Alternative Waste Management/Energy Technologies and Rising Diesel Price Impacts on Garbage and Recycling Costs White Papers – In 2006, KEC produced technical white papers for NSWMA on U.S. alternative waste management/energy technologies plus the impact of rising diesel prices on industry transportation costs. The former included the latest available economic statistics for various alternative technologies. The latter discussed driving forces behind rising prices, possible future trends, and strategies to minimize adverse impacts (including pipeline fuel supply disruptions from hurricanes).

The World Bank Policy and Planning Reports – In 2009, to help the country of Kuwait advance its integrated waste management program, KEC developed World Bank policy and planning reports. KEC reviewed, critiqued, and added technical research findings to Investment Profile summaries on Materials Recovery Facilities, Composting, Paper, Metals, Plastics, Car Scrap, Tires, and Batteries. Provided the same for related PowerPoint presentations for use by World Bank personnel and environmental managers and policymakers in Kuwait. 

Renewable Energy-From-Waste Industry Directories – During the period 1990 - 2004, to establish the definitive reference guide and advocacy tool, Jonathan Kiser conducted the primary research and provided QA/QC publication management relating to these strategic national directories. Documented resource recovery industry trends on topics such as facility locations, environmental impact, regulatory compliance, new technologies, recycling, and ash management. These directories were created for use by the IRR, NSWMA, and IWSA trade associations to share with members of Congress, regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, municipalities, and other stakeholder groups.

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Integrated Waste Management Plans – To ensure that more than 60 waste management plans submitted by jurisdictions complied with DEQ regulations, KEC, as the QA / QC Manager, conducted due diligence analyses. Reviewed reduction, reuse, recycling (including organics composting programs), energy recovery, and disposal practices and strategies, and assessed funding mechanism validity for proposed facility operations over a 20-year planning period. KEC also documented for DEQ the plan sections requiring revisions.

Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Benchmark Surveys – To update the national MRF directory, KEC conducted in-depth surveys of MRFs across the U.S., documenting operational details, material types and quantities, equipment, financing mechanisms, capital, operating & maintenance costs, contract specifics, ownership arrangements, and more. KEC results were published in the GAA Materials Recycling and Processing in the United States Yearbook.

Environmental Impact of Waste Management Options – To update the State of Connecticut Solid Waste Management Plan, KEC researched, analyzed, and reported on the comparative environmental impact of solid waste landfills versus waste-to-energy operations for the CT Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, KEC documented the impact of hauling waste out of state via transfer station using heavy-duty diesel trucks versus locomotive rail haul. Results indicated that landfills had a greater environmental impact than WTE, and that, during 2010, NOx emissions from truck transport could be expected to be more than four times higher than rail transport emissions (i.e., for the same quantity of trash transported over the same distance).