Latest news with #TriumvirateEnvironmental
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Businesses Can Stay Steady Amid EPA Uncertainty
John McQuillan is the founder, chairman and CEO at Triumvirate Environmental. getty We're operating in one of the most uncertain regulatory environments in decades. As federal environmental policy undergoes rapid and often unpredictable shifts through reversals, reinterpretations and sometimes outright dismantling, businesses are left navigating a compliance landscape that feels more like quicksand than solid ground. From water discharge regulations and air quality thresholds to chemical usage guidelines, the rules are changing fast. In my role, I've seen firsthand how this uncertainty is creating real pressure for environmental, health and safety (EHS) professionals. For many companies, staying compliant feels like trying to hit a moving target blindfolded. Let's call it what it is: Environmental compliance is no longer anchored in consistency. Federal definitions and enforcement mechanisms like those outlined in the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the ever-controversial 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) are in flux. The result? Critical permitting decisions are left in limbo. Projects stall, timelines slip and operational momentum suffers. Businesses that operate across state lines face another layer of complexity. Each state is responding differently to changes at the federal level. California, for example, remains vigilant and aggressive in its EHS enforcement, while other states take a more hands-off approach. The practical reality for companies is that compliance doesn't come with a one-size-fits-all manual. On top of all this is uncertainty in our judicial system. Court decisions like Sackett v. EPA have redefined the scope of federal environmental authority. When judges become the arbiters of what constitutes a wetland or navigable water, businesses are left guessing how long a permit will hold, or if it's needed at all. Then there's the political pendulum. Every change in administration seems to rewrite the definition of what compliance looks like. Take PFAS regulations or the March 2025 EPA statement as examples: what one administration tightens, the next might loosen. The whiplash is real. All of this legal and regulatory volatility has very tangible consequences. Project development is delayed or halted because permits are stuck in procedural purgatory. Compliance teams burn out trying to keep pace with the changes. And when missteps occur, because they inevitably do, companies face financial penalties, public scrutiny and reputational risk. There's a cost to being reactive. Get ahead of the chaos. Build for change rather than stability. The best companies don't chase regulations; they anticipate them. They invest in compliance systems designed to flex and adapt as laws evolve. This includes digital platforms for real-time monitoring, data analytics tools to track impact and dashboards that make it easy to report progress internally and externally. But systems alone aren't enough. You also have to invest in people. The people are the core of the business. EHS teams need the training, support and leadership to interpret rules and operate confidently amid ambiguity. You want to create a resilient team of professionals who don't just react but lead. Many leaders choose to offload mental strain from their internal team by bringing in experienced partners who can track regulatory changes full-time. If you go this route, it's important to find the right partner whose job is to know the regulations and how they'll evolve, so you don't have to spend all your energy there. With so much uncertainty, it's tempting to deprioritize sustainability until the dust settles. But sustainability isn't just about compliance. It's about preserving your company values, longevity and reputation. Sustainability is about the air our employees breathe, the water our communities drink and the kind of company we want to be known as. Businesses that stay committed to environmental stewardship even when regulations are unclear are playing the long game. They're minimizing risk, protecting their workforce, and building public trust. Sustainability also supports safety, another key pillar of successful operations. If you're aligning your environmental, safety and compliance goals, you're protecting your people and your brand. If there's one takeaway I'd emphasize, it's this: Companies do have the ability to find stability in an unstable regulatory environment. You can't control the courts or the political climate, but you can control how prepared your team is. You can control the systems you invest in, the partners you rely on and the culture you build internally. Transparency is key internally with teams and externally with stakeholders. Clear reporting, routine audits and shared dashboards create alignment and trust. Make sure your team is equipped with the best possible technology and is mentally and physically well. That's what drives compliance, not just policy memoranda. We're in an era where regulation will likely continue to be turbulent. But if your business prioritizes proactive systems, supports your people and partners wisely, you can operate with confidence—even when the rules keep changing. In the end, compliance is a mindset. And in today's environment, that mindset is more important than ever. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Addressing A Silent Threat To Employee Health: Occupational Cancer
John McQuillan is the founder, chairman and CEO at Triumvirate Environmental . getty Following National Cancer Prevention Month in February, I'm reminded that cancer remains one of the most significant health threats globally, ranking as the second-leading cause of death worldwide. And while lifestyle factors like smoking and diet are well-documented contributors, occupational exposure to carcinogens is a lesser-known but alarming risk. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, about 5% to 8% of all cancers worldwide stem from exposure to workplace carcinogens, underscoring the severity of this hidden danger. As a business owner, I've seen firsthand how employee health can impact not only individuals and their families but also the overall success of a company. A safe work environment isn't just about compliance—it's about valuing people and creating a culture of care. Workplace environments in various industries may expose employees to hazardous materials, increasing employees' risk of developing cancer. Careers with well-known risk factors that come to mind are firefighting and mining. But there are many professions where the risks are less apparent that can result in prolonged exposure to carcinogens. Some of the most concerning carcinogenic substances found in workplaces include asbestos, which is common in construction materials and linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma; benzene, which is found in petroleum and chemical industries and associated with leukemia; formaldehyde, used in healthcare and manufacturing and linked to cancers of the respiratory tract; and lead, found in industrial settings, which poses neurological and organ-related cancer risks. Additional harmful carcinogens include nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and radon. Exposure to these carcinogens can result in aggressive, life-threatening diseases affecting multiple systems and organs. Occupational cancers frequently impact the lungs, liver, brain and bones, lymphatic system and the skin. Beyond physical health, occupational cancer contributes to mental and emotional strain on employees and their families. The cumulative toll that occupational cancer can have irreparable impacts on overall health and well-being of a company and its employees. An Established Connection The link between workplace exposure and cancer has now been officially recognized since 1920. Some of the first recorded causal links date back to 1775 with a high incidence of scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps, and in 1907, when workers developed skin cancer as a result of handling tar or pitch. Even Marie Curie, a pioneer in radioactivity research, which has been used to fight cancer, died after years of exposure to radiation through her work. Curie's death is an example of the risk that can come with innovation. Despite advancements in workplace safety, many industries still struggle with hazardous exposures. Lung cancer is common among agriculture workers across the United States due to prolonged pesticide exposure. Healthcare workers are frequently exposed to formaldehyde in laboratories and medical settings. Construction workers experience high levels of ionizing radiation from prolonged sun exposure and industrial processes. Creating Healthy And Safe Work Environments Employers have a duty to minimize risks and create environments where their teams can thrive. Education and proactive safety measures are an effective way to prevent occupational cancer. Business owners can accomplish this by ensuring that employees understand the dangers associated with workplace carcinogens and establishing a safety committee, a group of dedicated and motivated employees from a variety of relevant internal departments who meet regularly to discuss and tackle safety concerns. It's also essential for employers to provide and enforce the use of respirators, gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE), and implement safety protocols like air quality monitoring, proper ventilation and hazard communication programs. Employers can also increase employee well-being by promoting initiatives that support healthy living and encouraging staff to seek out routine and regular health screenings. The health and safety of employees should be a top priority for every company. Investing in robust workplace safety measures protects workers, and it can also increase workforce retention, positively influence company culture and prevent costly legal and medical expenses. I've seen organizations thrive when they take employee safety seriously. It's not just about regulations—it's about creating a workplace culture that values health, well-being and sustainability. Businesses should seek expert guidance in hazardous waste management. Partnering with professional waste disposal services ensures that hazardous materials are handled safely, protecting both employees and the environment. (Disclosure: My company helps with this, as do others.) Ensure the provider has the necessary permits and certifications, such as OSHA safety training. Different industries face unique waste challenges, so it's crucial to work with a provider experienced in handling the specific hazardous materials relevant to your business. Look for providers who prioritize sustainable waste management solutions, including recycling and waste-to-energy programs, while maintaining the highest safety standards. A good provider should offer rapid response services for spills or unexpected hazardous waste incidents. Reliable waste management partners should provide clear documentation and reporting to ensure regulatory compliance and track waste disposal methods. By prioritizing safety, education and expert intervention, businesses can create healthier work environments and prevent the devastating effects of occupational cancer. The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of inaction. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Boston Globe
06-02-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Flights into Reagan National Airport being reduced in wake of crash
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up POLICY Advertisement House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices The DeepSeek application arranged on a smartphone in Hong Kong on Jan. 27. Lam Yik/Bloomberg A bipartisan duo in the the US House is proposing legislation to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from federal devices, similar to the policy already in place for the popular social media platform TikTok. Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Democrat of New Jersey, and Darin LaHood, Republican of Illinois, on Thursday introduced the 'No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,' which would ban federal employees from using the Chinese AI app on government-owned electronics. They cited the Chinese government's ability to use the app for surveillance and misinformation as reasons to keep it away from federal networks. 'The Chinese Communist Party has made it abundantly clear that it will exploit any tool at its disposal to undermine our national security, spew harmful disinformation, and collect data on Americans,' Gottheimer said in a statement. 'We simply can't risk the CCP infiltrating the devices of our government officials and jeopardizing our national security.' The proposal comes after the Chinese software company in December published an AI model that performed at a competitive level with models developed by American firms like OpenAI, Meta, Alphabet and others. — ASSOCIATED PRESS Advertisement DEALS Environmental services firm Triumvirate sold in $1.8 billion deal Triumvirate Environmental has been sold in a deal that values the company at $1.8 billion. Photo courtesy of Triumvirate The founder of Triumvirate Environmental has reached a deal to sell a controlling stake to a local private equity firm, valuing the Somerville-based waste disposal business at $1.8 billion. Chief executive John McQuillan will remain in charge at Triumvirate, which specializes in removing waste from life sciences labs and manufacturing plants, under the new ownership of Boston-based Berkshire Partners. McQuillan, in a press release, said the transaction will provide funds to help the company expand into new regions, add new service lines, and enhance its technology. The companies did not disclose how much money Berkshire paid for the controlling stake. 'It was clear Berkshire was the right partner for us given their long history of helping market leaders accelerate growth and their constructive, supportive approach with management teams,' McQuillan said. McQuillan will remain chairman of Triumvirate's board of directors. He'll be joined on the board by Al Kelly, the former chief executive of Visa, and John Ferraro, former global chief operating officer at Ernst & Young. McQuillan founded the company in 1988, and it currently generates around $500 million in revenue a year. As part of the deal, Berkshire is establishing an employee ownership program. Berkshire managing director Mike Ascione said the 1,600 employees at Triumvirate 'already think and act like owners ... and this new program aims to reward them accordingly.' — JON CHESTO INDUSTRY Honeywell, one of the few remaining US industrial conglomerates, will split into three companies A Honeywell facility in Phoenix, Ariz. Caitlin O'Hara/Bloomberg Honeywell, one of the last remaining US industrial conglomerates, will split into three independent companies, following in the footsteps of manufacturing giants like General Electric and Alcoa. The company said Thursday that it will separate from its automation and aerospace technologies businesses. Including plans announced earlier to spin off its advanced materials business, Honeywell will consist of three smaller entities in hopes that they will each be more agile. 'The formation of three independent, industry-leading companies builds on the powerful foundation we have created, positioning each to pursue tailored growth strategies, and unlock significant value for shareholders and customers,' Honeywell Chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur said in a statement. Honeywell had said in December that it was considering spinning off its aerospace division. The public announcement arrived about one month after Elliott Investment Management revealed a stake of more than $5 billion in the aerospace, automation and materials company. Elliott had been pushing for the Charlotte, North Carolina, company to separate its automation and aerospace businesses. — ASSOCIATED PRESS Advertisement ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OpenAI looks across US for sites to build its Trump-backed Stargate AI data centers The OpenAI logo on a smartphone arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 12, 2023. Gabby Jones/Bloomberg OpenAI is scouring the US for sites to build a network of huge data centers to power its artificial intelligence technology, expanding beyond a flagship Texas location and looking across 16 states to accelerate the Stargate project championed by President Trump. The maker of ChatGPT put out a request for proposals and began visiting locations in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin this week. Trump touted Stargate, a newly formed joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank, shortly after returning to the White House last month. The partnership said it is investing $100 billion — and eventually up to $500 billion — to build large-scale data centers and the energy generation needed to further AI development. Trump called the project a 'resounding declaration of confidence in America's potential' under his new administration, though the first project in Abilene, Texas, has been under construction for months. — ASSOCIATED PRESS Advertisement BRANDING Boy Scouts see a small membership uptick after rebrand to Scouting America Roger Krone, chief executive officer of Scouting America, described the design of the organization's flag in Irving, Texas, on Feb. 5. LM Otero/Associated Press A historic rebrand of the Boy Scouts of America has been followed by a small uptick in young people joining what will now be called Scouting America, a welcoming sign as the organization tries to move past scandal and bankruptcy. The group will continue leaning into a broad message of inclusivity as it celebrates its 115th birthday Saturday, President and CEO Roger Krone said. He acknowledged some backlash to the rebrand after it was announced last year but described the overall response as a positive one that generated wider interest. 'The fact that we were going with a more kind of gender-neutral name, a lot of people kind of wanted to know more about it,' Krone said. Although the overall gain in membership was small — about 16,000 new scouts, up less than 2 percent from the prior year — it is still encouraging for the organization after participation plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization, which began allowing girls to join its scouting programs in 2018, has just over 1 million members. — ASSOCIATED PRESS ENTERTAINMENT Sony bid to take 'Jeopardy!' rights from CBS is halted by court Cars enter and depart from Sony Pictures Entertainment studio lot in Culver City, Calif., on Dec. 18, 2014. Damian Dovarganes Sony Pictures Television's bid to take over distribution rights to 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' from CBS was temporarily halted by a California state court. Paramount Global's CBS has long distributed the Sony-made shows to local TV stations. The media division of Sony Group Corp. sued last year, claiming CBS wasn't honoring their contract and has failed to maximize revenue from the programs, the two most-popular TV game shows. 'The court's order has no bearing on, and is not indicative of, the eventual outcome of the ongoing litigation,' Sony said Thursday in a statement, adding the company 'will continue to fight CBS's egregious mishandling of these beloved shows and will take all necessary legal actions to protect our rights.' In its own statement, CBS said: 'We're pleased the court issued a temporary restraining order against Sony's unlawful actions. We will continue to seamlessly distribute 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy!' to our station clients like we have for over 40 years.' — BLOOMBERG NEWS Advertisement
