2024 ECOS Spring Meeting

Impactful Partnerships: Bigger & Better Together 

As any Texan knows, it takes two for the Texas two-step, with both partners moving in the same direction. In the spirit of the dance, ECOS explored Texas-sized innovative and diverse partnerships that are delivering enduring environmental progress. Collaboration with federal, NGO, and industry leaders took center stage in dialogues, interactive workshops, a joint problem-solving session, a special site visit, and a technology fair.

Materials

• Agenda
• Attendees
• Sponsors

March 25

Breakout Option #1: ECOS Oil & Gas Caucus (O&GC) – Partnerships to Leverage Hydrogen & Optimize Hydrogen Hubs

• U.S. DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
• ECOS Resolution 22-1: Ensuring a Consultative Role for States and Territories in Setting Policy for the Hydrogen Economy
• EDF Fact Sheet: The Science of Hydrogen’s Climate Warming Effects
• EDF Fact Sheet: Hydrogen Emissions Measurement Study
• EDF Fact Sheet: Preventing and Mitigating Hydrogen Emissions from Infrastructure
• Presentation: Nichole Saunders, Environmental Defense Fund
• Presentation: Steve Schueneman, Puget Sound Energy

Breakout Option #2: ECOS Digital Business Workgroup (DBWG) – Joint Problem Solving on Government Technological Preparedness in the Digital Age

• Presentation: Miriam Patrocinio, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Fresh Takes on Preventing Food Waste

• Presentation: Laura Watson, Washington Department of Ecology
• Presentation: Cliff Villa, U.S. EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management
• Presentation: Kori Recalde, Carrier Corporation

Open Problem-Solving Session: Working Across Organizations to Strengthen PFAS Risk Communications

• Video from Community Representatives
• Poll Results and Discussion Questions
  • 1: What do we need to do to address PFAS?
  • 2: What techniques have you used for disseminating PFAS information?
  • 3: What would be most helpful for ECOS to focus on?

March 26

Breakout Option #2: ECOS Infrastructure Workgroup on Climate Resiliency

• Rhode Island’s STORMTOOLS
• Presentation: Sunny Fleming, Esri

Breakout Option #3: Comparison Values & Action Levels for Use in Mobile Air Monitoring

• Presentation: Dr. Sabine Lange, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Plenary Remarks, Melinda Chow & Alondra Fleming-Parra

• Webpage: Austin Youth River Watch
• Video: Austin Youth River Watch

Cross-Agency Efforts on Workforce Capacity Building

• Mickey Leland Internships
• Presentation: Juanita Baldwin, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Networking Across Government to Strengthen Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Regional Offices Contact Information
• CISA Vulnerability Scanning
• Presentation: Andrew Hildick-Smith, WaterISAC

Keynote Remarks, Dr. Scott Tinker

• Presentation

Diverse Pathways Toward Decarbonization

• Presentation: Kelsey Erickson

Remarks, Cheryl Lombard

• Presentation

State Strides in Partnering with Communities on Equity

• Presentation: Myra Reece, South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control