2026 ECOS Fall Meeting

New Vistas in Environmental Protection

From coast to coast, state environmental agencies are reaching new heights as they seize opportunities to safeguard communities and natural resources. Join ECOS and our partners 6,000 feet above sea level to explore innovative, clean, and green approaches to emerging challenges – from the rapid expansion of data centers and critical minerals mining to growing concerns around PFAS and microplastics.

Materials

• Final Agenda
• Attendee List
• Sponsor Posters

August 31

ECOS Digital Business Workgroup (DBWG)

• Who Will Ride Your Wild Horses, Miriam Patrocinio, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
• McCrea, R., Coates, R., Hobman, E. V., Bentley, S., & Lacey, J. (2024). Responsible innovation for disruptive science and technology: The role of public trust and social expectations. Technology in Society, 79, Article 102709.

ECOS Oil & Gas Caucus (O&GC): Data Insights for Improved Outcomes 

• Carbon Mapper, Jordan Giaconia, Carbon Mapper
• Data Insights for Improved Outcomes, Angela Zivkovich, Oxy
• What Changes When the Data Is Visible, Alicia Keyes, Apaluma
  • Video from slide 4
• Jonah Energy, Paul Ulrich, Jonah Energy

Critical Minerals Mining, Wildfires, & Prescribed Burns

• E&E At Work, Shane Khoury, Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment
• New Jersey Fire Suppression and Prescribed Burning, Ed Potosnak, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • NJ Fire Smart (Video)
• Troy Timmons, Western Governors Association
  • Policy Resolution 2025-06, National Minerals Policy (general Governors’ policy);
  • Policy Resolution 2024-08, Cleaning Up Abandoned Hardrock Mines in the West (Good Samaritan Act);
  • Policy Resolution 2025-02, Air Quality Protection and Management (prescribed fire); and
  • Policy Resolution 2024-02, National Forest and Rangeland Management (prescribed fire).

2026 State Program Innovation Awards in the Agency Management, Dashboards, & Permitting Category

• Videos, State Program Innovation Award Nominees
• Winners:
  • Massachusetts Tidelands & Coastline Dashboard
  • Pennsylvania Permit Navigator

‘I Didn’t Sign Up for This’ – How States Are Overcoming Unanticipated Funding Shortfalls, Workplace Woes, Technology Glitches, & Other Daily Challenges

• FTP Chart, Jess Byrne, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
• Illinois Environmental Information Management System Procurement and Development, James Jennings, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
  • State of Illinois – General Services – Bid Solicitation – 26-532EPA-FISCP-B-51295

September 1

Listening Session with The Pew Charitable Trusts on State Approaches to Tackling Microplastic Pollution

• State Approaches to Tackling Microplastic Pollution, KerriLynn Miller, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Microplastics & Plastics – Knowns, Unknowns, & Paths Ahead

• Plastic pollution and its impacts on our health and environment, Jason Somarelli, Duke University Comparative Oncology Group
• ECOS Microplastics Plenary, Adam Gushgari, Eurofins Environmental Testing
• Circular Economy Strategies for Plastics & Microplastics, Resa Dimino, Resource Recycling Systems

2026 State Program Innovation Awards in the Environmental Programs Category

• Videos, State Program Innovation Award Nominees
• Winners:
  • North Carolina Hurricane Helene Support
  • New Jersey Blue Acres Program

PFAS Approaches Part 2 – Destruction & Disposal

• Summary of Key PFAS Studies at WTE and TTFs, Mike Van Brunt, Reworld
• A Comprehensive Approach: Total PFAS Solution, Nancy Collins, Clean Harbors
• Permanent PFAS Disposal, Jimmy Bracher, VLS Environmental Solutions
• PFAS Elimination PRIS+M, Steve Wilcenski, Hexivon