Program & Reception
The Commonwealth at a Crossroads
Updates and Predictions on Massachusetts & National Issues Impacting our Industry
The Publick House
277 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA
Registration: 1:00 – 1:30 pm
Program: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
A Networking Reception will follow the conclusion of the program
Cost:
$125 Members
$175 Non-Members
Agenda
Session 1: Legislative & Regulatory Update: What’s happening in Massachusetts and the Region and what can be expected soon.
This panel will provide a recap of recent legislative and regulatory activities in Massachusetts and the region, including updates of federal rules and policies. The panel will also discuss their thoughts around potential shifts in public policy directives.
Speakers:
Robert Rio, Principal, RAR Strategies
Raza Ali, Assoc. Dir., State Affairs and Political Mobilization, ACC Northeast Region
Elizabeth Gugliotti, Senior Project Engineer, Pennoni
Session 2: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Circular Economy: What do these terms mean and why our industry should pay attention
In this interactive panel, speakers from government and industry will provide an overview of upcoming recycling and sustainability programs and policies locally, regionally, and nationally and discuss their impact on your operations.
Moderator, Greg Cooper, MassDEP, Director of Hazardous & Solid Waste
Speakers:
Andrea Albersheim, Director of Plastics Sustainability Policy, ACC
Rodney Hildebrand, Assoc. Manager, Government & Political Affairs, Covestro
Wayne Bates, Director of Climate Resiliency and Sustainability, Tighe & Bond
Session 3: Catching Up on Air & Water Activities
This session will provide an overview of air and water regulations in Massachusetts, including updates to the CIA Program and the EPA HFC Management Rule and the EPA Technology Transition Rule. Speakers will also provide updates on the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) and the draft Commercial, Industrial, Institutional General Permit (CII GP) both of which were both proposed in 2024.
Moderator: Elizabeth Gugliotti, Senior Project Engineer, Pennoni
Speakers:
Lynne Santos, Managing Consultant, Trinity
Glenn Keith, Director, Division of Air & Climate Programs, MassDEP
Brian Morrill, Associate Principal, GZA
For additional registration and sponsorship information, please contact Katherine Robertson at Katherine@masscta.org or by phone at 508-572-9113
MCTA's January 21st program provided an overview of proposed changes to EPA's stormwater discharge permits. The seminar covered EPA's draft MSPG and CII Permits, both of which are open for public comment.
MCTA's TURA Reform bill has been filed in both the House and Senate for consideration during the 2025-2026 session. SD 888, filed by Senator Ryan Fattman of Sutton and HD 1716 filed by Rep. John Mahoney of Worcester call for:
MCTA will be holding a members briefing to discuss this and other bills filed for the upcoming session on Tuesday, February 11, at 11 am.
Presentations:
PFAS & Industry: The Present & the Future
MCTA's November 15th Program at the Publick House in Sturbridge focused on PFAS, the status of state and federal regulations, and what industry can expect moving forward. Speakers for the first session, facilitated by Jeff Porter, Chair of the Environmental Law Practice at Mintz, were John Beling, Deputy Commissioner, Policy and Planning, MassDEP and Analisa Puzzanghero, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Alliance for Chemical Distribution. Speakers for the second session, moderated by Emilee Mooney Scott, Partner, Robinson + Cole, were Robert Rio, RAR Strategies and MCTA's Legislative & Regulatory Advisor; Shawn Swearingen, Director of Chemical Products & Technology, and Heather Tenney, TURA Program Manager.
John Beling, MassDEP; Analisa Puzzanghero, ACD (formerly NACD); and Jeff Porter, Mintz
Robert Rio, RAR Strategies; Heather Tenney, TURI; Shawn Swearingen, American Chemistry Council; Emilee Mooney Scott, Robinson + Cole
Bob Rio is coming to MCTA after spending 26 years at Associated industries of Massachusetts (AIM). While at AIM, he was heavily involved on advocacy efforts on regulations, bills and laws impacting the chemical industry in the Commonwealth. That list includes, but is not limited to, PFAS and Flame Retardants, Climate Change, Air Permitting, Environmental Justice, Producer Responsibility, TURA and TURA fees. Rio has also established himself as a respected expert on energy-related issues including energy efficiency, gas and electric issues and alternative energy, such as hydrogen and RNG. He has authored and presented hundreds of testimonies and public comments for legislative hearings and regulatory proceedings on these and other topics.
With more than 30 years of experience navigating complex and detailed legislative and regulatory issues, a well-earned reputation with regulators and legislators, and an educational background that encompasses science, engineering, and law degrees, he can support MCTA's advocacy with persuasive complex comments to regulatory agencies (DEP, EOEEA, DOER, DPS), legislative testimony, and the development of overall effective strategy. Rio earned his BA in Biology from Boston University, a MS in Engineering from Northeastern University, and his JD from Suffolk University Law School 1994.
PO Box 518
Upton, MA 01568
508-572-9113
katherine@masscta.org
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