Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA)

PFAS are used in a wide variety of applications, and it’s not always obvious where they’re hiding. If you’re looking for resources to identify PFAS sources, or to find alternatives for the functions they provide, check out ChemSec’s PFAS Guide: https://pfas.chemsec.org/ You can search to see common PFAS applications by sector, product type, or function. ChemSec also offers guidance for touching base with your vendors to communicate about PFAS in your supply chain: https://lnkd.in/ewNvHZ_u OTA also offers a Supplier Notification Letter you can use to request information about regulated PFAS: https://lnkd.in/enz7SA2F If you’ve identified PFAS in your facility and are working to phase it out, visit ZeroPM’s Alternatives Assessment resources to explore your options: https://lnkd.in/d8djqatN Need more help? Consult our resources for identifying and phasing out PFAS in your facility: https://lnkd.in/ehSm3KMx Or consult with a member of OTA’s staff: https://lnkd.in/e5_Qtg43 #PFAS #Environment #EnvironmentalEngineering #EnvironmentalHealth #Chemicals #GreenManufacturing #Manufacturing #AlternativesAssessment #OccupationalHealth #EHS #OHS

It’s Fix-A-Leak Week! Join OTA as we help to spread the word about water conservation and the importance of finding and repairing water leaks, which can waste nearly a trillion gallons of water annually nationwide.?Water conservation is a critical tool in responding to drought conditions, which persist across the entire state of Massachusetts: https://lnkd.in/ex_a6Js Check out the Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit for information on water conservation: https://lnkd.in/eYKHE9p Industrial and commercial information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ewmSkB-s. Download OTA’s fact sheet on water conservation techniques and resources for Massachusetts industries: https://lnkd.in/ewbd-PP9 Also, be sure to check out OTA’s industrial water conservation case studies here: https://lnkd.in/devPNvuq Learn more at EPA’s WaterSense website: https://lnkd.in/g-CFR2k #FixALeakWeek #WaterConservation #WaterEfficiency #WaterManagement #Massachusetts #Water #Conservation

The Northeast, Central, and Connecticut River Valley Regions of Massachusetts are currently in Critical Drought status, while the rest of the state is experiencing Significant Drought. During periods of drought, it’s particularly important to conserve water to maintain the water pressure required to fight fires – especially since the risk of fires increases during periods of drought. Visit https://lnkd.in/ex_a6Js to see up-to-date drought status information, and check out recommendations for industrial water conservation here: https://lnkd.in/ewmSkB-s If your business is looking for opportunities to conserve water, contact a member of OTA’s team of technical assistance providers to discuss options: https://lnkd.in/euPuQkHP OTA also offers a fact sheet on water conservation techniques and resources: https://lnkd.in/ewbd-PP9 You can learn what other companies have done by consulting OTA’s case studies on water conservation and wastewater: https://lnkd.in/devPNvuq #WaterConservation #Drought #WaterUse #ResourceConservation #Environment #Climate

Our colleagues at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) are offering a TURA Environmental Management System (EMS) Planning Certification Planning Course starting on March 10. This will be a hybrid course. TURI will launch the 16-hour self-paced online training on March 10. This will be paired with an onsite tour of Gem Gravure, a current MA facility that employs the TURA EMS in lieu of TUR planning. Register at https://lnkd.in/erC2aZ4e Massachusetts companies that maintain an environmental management system (EMS) to manage impacts on workers or the environment should consider folding their TUR planning efforts into this system. The TURA EMS is an efficient approach to comprehensive environmental planning that stresses source reduction and allows companies to replace bi-annual TUR plan update and plan summary requirements. A TURA EMS requires certification by a TUR Planner or EMS professional?with specific TURA EMS training -- that's what this hybrid course from TURI offers. Cost: $100 for limited practice TUR Planners, or $200 for general practice TUR Planners. Questions? Contact TURI's training team at [email protected].

OTA is requesting quotes from approved vendors on statewide contract for two upcoming projects: Support for New and/or Expanding Businesses: OTA seeks a vendor to update outreach materials and conduct an outreach campaign to increase technical assistance to new or expanding businesses serving?environmental justice populations and/or minority-owned businesses. The program’s objective is to prevent toxic chemical use and incorporate pollution prevention and sustainability (water and energy conservation) into business models, with an emphasis on advancing environmental justice. For more information and to submit a quote, visit: https://lnkd.in/eRvri7PV Chemical Safety and Climate Resiliency: We are looking for a vendor to build upon and develop preparedness strategies and tools (e.g., facility emergency checklists, preparedness plan templates, scenarios for table-top exercises, etc.) for the manufacturing sector in climate vulnerable areas in close proximity to environmental justice populations. The consultant will work with OTA staff to develop tabletop training exercises on facility emergency preparedness for potential chemical release scenario. For more information and to submit a quote, visit: https://lnkd.in/ePmAHqtc If you would like to pursue one of these opportunities but aren’t yet registered as a state-approved vendor, you can register through COMMBUYS: https://lnkd.in/eGChkjCW #EnvironmentalConsulting #EnvironmentalJustice #PollutionPrevention #ChemicalSafety #ClimatePreparedness #ClimateChange #EmergencyPreparedness #Procurement

Are you a local organization working with populations experiencing environmental injustice and disproportionate impacts of climate change? You may be eligible for Environmental Justice Capacity Building grant funding from the MA Office of Environmental Justice and Equity. The deadline to apply is March 14th and funding must be spent by June 30th, 2025. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations, Tribal governments, and state-recognized tribes.?Partnerships among eligible grantees and private organizations are welcome to apply. Visit COMMBUYS to review the Request for Response and to apply: https://lnkd.in/ejEedzi5 Virtual information sessions about this funding opportunity are taking place this week! Please register for a Zoom session in advance using one of the following links: Tuesday, Feb 25th, 2025, 10:00-11:00 AM https://lnkd.in/enCqUKCt Friday, Feb 28th, 2025, 12:30 – 1:30 PM https://lnkd.in/eKX9szeU) #Grants #Funding #EnvironmentalJustice #Environment #EJ

??Thanks to the incredible work of the team, we have a public version of EJScreen available for use: https://lnkd.in/esJR_Fg4 As you may know, public access to the tool from EPA was discontinued on February 5, 2025. We have now re-created the tool and made it publicly accessible - special thanks to Eric Nost! Note: You can identify the EJScreen data and index percentiles for a given block group right now.?Check back soon as we put more time and resources toward the functionality of EJScreen you might be used to.

Our colleagues at MassDEP are hiring for an Environmental Analyst IV (EA IV) for the implementation of the TURA and Toxics Programs! Help reduce the burden of toxics use for workers and communities in MA. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eWKZRW_q #Hiring #Jobs #JobOpportunity #Environment #EnvironmentJobs #GreenJobs

OTA's Winter Newsletter is out now! Learn about TURA tracking and reporting updates for 2025, upcoming training opportunities for Toxics Use Reduction planners, TSCA compliance resources, and more: https://conta.cc/3EoxRQ2 Sign up for OTA's newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/eh6J6VdM

OTA is hiring! We are looking for an Environmental Analyst III (EA III) to join our team of technical assistance providers. This is a full-time, union-represented position based at OTA's office at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA. The annual salary range is $74,159.02 - $108,560.40. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The EA III's duties will include: --Leading and conducting on-site and virtual technical assistance at designated industry sectors, with the goal of facilitating, monitoring, quantifying and reporting on the adoption of Toxics Use Reduction (TUR), Pollution Prevention (P2) and resource conservation strategies and achievements --Assessing facility operations, identify problems and TUR potentials, conduct follow up research and develop technical solutions --Leading outreach activities designed to encourage the use of OTA and TURA Program services to achieve TUR, P2, and resource conservation Learn more about the position and apply: https://lnkd.in/egpBVdPr If you have diversity, affirmative action, or equal employment opportunity questions or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator Melixza Esenyie at 617-626-1282. #Hiring #JobOpportunity #Environment #EnvironmentalHealth #OHS