2022 NEC/AAAE Annual Airports Conference
The Great American Environmental team is continuously seeking ways to broaden their scope of knowledge by staying up to date on the latest industry trends. This past March, Rick Ringenwald had the opportunity to speak about the role emerging contaminants play in the environmental health of airports at the NEC/AAAE Annual Airports Conference.
This annual conference highlights the latest airport policies, protocols and programs for aviation industry professionals. Topics covered include multiple facets of the industry, including airport planning, design, finance, management, safety, environmental issues, engineering and field lighting.
With multiple educational sessions presented, Rick was joined by Scott Green of First Environment to discuss the latest updates on emerging contaminants typically found at airports and how environmental insurance can help facilities mitigate some of the imposing risks.
Environmental Considerations for Airports
The session opened up with Scott discussing the risks associated with emerging contaminates, PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane. The largest concern is that PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane are commonly found in firefighting foam – which is required by the FAA at commercial airports for firefighting.
Rick provided an introduction of what environmental regulations are in place for airports and aviation facilities followed by the current state of the environmental insurance market today. He then moved on to discuss the following potential environmental risks that may be lurking at an airport:
- Known and unknown aboveground and underground storage tanks
- Hydrant and storage systems, including fueling systems
- Loading and unloading
- Mold and other indoor air quality issues
- Historical spills (pre-existing site conditions)
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, allowing the audience to gain a better understanding of the potential environmental threats that may be present at airports, along with the best ways to manage and actively mitigate these risks.
Our team is dedicated to helping clients develop a comprehensive risk management strategy to prevent potential environmental exposures. The experts at Great American Environmental offer specialized coverage that can protect against complicated and often costly pollution risks.
Contact us to set up time to learn more about how our products and services can help mitigate the potential environmental risks your clients may face!
Rick Ringenwald,Divisional Vice President, Executive Underwriter
Rick is a Divisional Vice President with Great American Environmental Division. He joins Great American from his previous position as Executive Vice President and Regional Team Leader for a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, where he directed all environmental brokerage and business development efforts in the Northeast and Atlantic regions. With 20 years of industry knowledge, Rick brings valuable underwriting skills and a unique environmental perspective to the division. He is based out of our Exton office.