Industry News

, , ,

Peek Behind the Federal Regulatory Curtain: PFAS and Changing Policies

, , ,

PFAS are at the top of our minds and our news feeds as scientists reveal more data about the impact of polyfluoroalkyl substances on our health and our environment. Environmental groups, scientists, laboratories, and politicians across the aisle agree; it’s time to legislate these “forever chemicals.” 2020 took some steps towards regulating PFAS, especially PFOA and PFOS, which are known carcinogens and are linked to many other long-term health effects. But more work needs to be done. To help break down the federal government’s response to PFAS, here is a snapshot of recent news in the PFAS pipeline.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

On January 1, Congress overrode President Trump’s veto and enacted H.R. 6395 (NDAA), the authorization bill that directs spending for the Department of Defense (DoD) in conjunction with the FY 21 omnibus appropriations bill.

The 2021 NDAA addresses PFAS contamination on military bases and in military equipment. Multiple provisions follow-up on the 2020 NDAA provisions, which began phasing out AFFF (Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam) after studies linked AFFF with PFAS contaminated ground and drinking water on military bases and in surrounding communities. Follow-up actions include:

, , , , , ,

Inland News Group Names Babcock Laboratories a Winner of the Inland Empire Top Workplaces 2020 Award!

, , , , , ,

Babcock Laboratories (Babcock Labs) is honored to announce that it has been named a Top Workplace in the Inland Empire for the fourth year in a row!

On January 31, 2021, the Press Enterprise announced the 2020 Top Workplaces and designated Babcock Labs as a Top Workplace in the small business category. We feel this award recognizes and praises our employee-owners who have made and continue to make Babcock Labs a great place to work. 2020 heralded unprecedented challenges, and we are so proud of our team for adapting and thriving under these difficult circumstances.

The nationally recognized Top Workplace program was established in…

Purple is the New Green: IEUA Invests in Expanded Water Recycling Facility

A cheap and sustainable water conservation method is the proverbial silver bullet of California’s water politics, but it is not easy finding a solution friendly to both our environment and wallets. Many experts believe that, of the methods available, wastewater recycling is California’s best way forward. One major local proponent of water recycling is the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, or IEUA. Last fall, IEUA began constructing an expanded recycling facility in Chino, San Bernardino County. Their expanded facility will be able to treat 22.5 million gallons of wastewater per day--the agency’s most ambitious recycling project yet.

Wastewater recycling is a familiar concept to California. As far back as the 1800s, farmers utilized wastewater for growing crops. By 1910, 35 sites used recycled water for agricultural purposes, and by 1918 California adopted the first health regulations governing wastewater reuse. Nowadays, our state reuses approximately 714,000 acre-feet of water annually, or 2.3x1011 gallons. Despite conveying so much water through purple pipes, California’s recycling programs still have a great deal of room to grow. The state could potentially recycle millions more acre-feet of water each year and has set an aggressive goal of achieving 2,5 million acre feet of recycling by 2030.

The IEUA is at the forefront of expanding recycling programs. In a recent press release about their Chino facility, IEUA General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh stated…

What’s Next for the Delta Conveyance Project?

The specter of California’s aging water infrastructure has haunted the state for decades, but last month the Metropolitan Board of Directors took a step towards modernizing California’s water supply. On December 8th, the Board approved funding for the Delta Conveyance Project, a state initiative for building modern and resilient water infrastructures. With the Board’s approval, the Project can conduct an environmental review of the proposed construction area: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is often referred to as the “hub” of California’s water supply and for good reason; two-thirds of California's water flows from the Sierra Mountains into the Delta. The 700 mile estuary feeds into the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP); these projects then deliver high-quality and affordable water to over 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.

Given how important the Delta is to California’s water supply, any failure…

Inland Empire Laboratory Announces New CEO and Marks 115th Year Serving Local Community

Southern California’s oldest and most prestigious testing laboratory—Babcock Laboratories, Inc.—has announced that former Chief Financial Officer Tiffany Gomez has been selected by the Board of Directors to succeed Allison Mackenzie as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2021. This succession exemplifies the organization’s 115 years’ long legacy of employee opportunity.

As part of the succession plan, Ms. Gomez became President of Babcock Laboratories (Babcock Labs) during the summer of 2020 under the guidance of Ms. Mackenzie, who, after leading the organization for 36 years, will transition into the role of Executive Vice President of Development & Regulatory Affairs. This seamless transition will help bolster business development while Ms. Gomez familiarizes herself with the new role. Both Ms. Gomez and Ms. Mackenzie have made it clear that Babcock Labs’ top priority is caring for its longstanding relationships with its many public agency and private industry clients.

“I am honored to lead Babcock Laboratories and to continue the legacy my predecessors have built,” said Ms. Gomez. “My vision for Babcock Laboratories is to continue to sustain and grow a legacy of quality analytical testing services while partnering with our clients to help them succeed at protecting people and the environment.”

Ms. Gomez holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from Texas A&M University Commerce, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. She joined the Babcock team as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2014 and has over a decade of experience in …

, , ,

Babcock Laboratories Found a More Permanent Home in Imperial County!

, , ,

Babcock Laboratories, Inc. (Babcock Labs) is pleased to announce the relocation of our service center in Imperial County. Effective Monday, December 14th, 2020, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. will be conveniently located in El Centro and will occupy a clean, modern, and easily accessed facility on 1550 Pepper Drive. We will continue to follow our current Imperial County operating hours and sample drop off time-windows until further notice. We are pleased to have found a more permanent home in Imperial County….