Principal Scientist
M.S., Meteorology, The Pennsylvania State University, 1972 B.S., Meteorology, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, 1970
Areas of Expertise Air Quality Permitting Meteorology Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Climate Change Noise Risk Assessment Weather Analysis and Forecasting |
Mr. Eisen is Principal Scientist with Roux Associates, Inc. having over 35 years of experience in air quality, air impact assessment, permitting, meteorology and litigation support. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Meteorology from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), and Pennsylvania State University, respectively. He is certified by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) as a Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM). The CCM designation is issued by the AMS to highly qualified meteorologists, confirmed to be qualified as experts through intensive written and oral examination before a national board of examiners. The recognized expertise of a CCM is in the application of weather information to a host of practical challenges, ranging from air quality impact assessment and permitting, specialized forecasts, and expert testimony on various weather-related court cases. Mr. Eisen has managed numerous air permitting projects (NSR, PSD, Title V) for power plants, steel mills, pulp and paper mills, hospitals, universities and smaller sources of air contaminants. He has also been an expert witness in many cases involving permits for new sources, air quality impact assessment, and weather related accidents.
Representative Projects
• Permitting at a large New Jersey steel mill (Gerdau Ameristeel, Sayreville, NJ). Established ambient air and noise monitoring network, and reviewed data and results with public, NJDEP, DOH. Obtained permit approvals (Title V, NSR/PSD) for various construction projects including replacement of Billet Reheat Furnace. The new furnace markedly increased energy efficiency while reducing air quality impacts by optimizing “hot rolling” operations. Managed pilot test investigations into available measures to control mercury emissions from the mill’s melt shop (primarily, Electric Arc Furnace). Prepared and delivered presentations on pilot test results to NJDEP senior management (air compliance, enforcement and science and technology).
• Expert witness and technical evaluations in association with efforts to resolve New Source Review disputes between pulp and paper mills and the U.S. EPA. This assistance was provided for the Glatfelter pulp and paper mill in Spring Grove, PA, and the Smurfit Stone pulp and paper mill in West Point, VA. Activities included investigations regarding emissions, applicable regulations, air quality impacts, potentially available air quality control technologies, etc.
• Providing air quality expert witness services to the City of Brockton, MA regarding the proposed approval, by the Mass DEP and State Siting Board, of plans for construction of a 350 MW power plant in the Oak Hill Industrial Park section of Brockton, MA. The public comments and hearing testimony focused on the accuracy of air-quality impact modeling, errors in estimates of potential-to-emit, and determination of applicability of Greenhouse Gas regulations (EPA Tailoring Rule).
• Provided expert witness reports and court testimony regarding the major fire and chemical explosion that occurred in April 1995, at Napp Technologies, Inc. on Main St. in Lodi, NJ. The fire killed four plant workers and burned for 35 hours. Area residents raised a number of health-related questions, and expert witness services were required to evaluate the atmospheric dispersion of the chemicals released from the fire and explosion. Atmospheric dispersion modeling was conducted, and studies by others were critiqued.
• Prepared an expert report regarding air emissions and impacts of the Hoeganaes Corporation powdered metal manufacturing facility in Riverton, NJ. The facility operated over 40 emission sources associated with its production of metal powders for automobile engine, large appliance and related durable metal goods. A number of privately owned boats, docked in five marinas approximately one mile north of the facility filed suit to recover alleged damages consisting of brown discoloration and pitting of clear plastic windows on the boats.
• Expert witness testimony at NY State licensing hearings regarding a 300 MW simple cycle combustion turbine facility proposed for Kings Park, NY. This testimony resulted from review of the Draft NYSDEC Air Permit, permit and performance data for similar facilities (Stack Tests, CEMs Data Summaries, permit conditions, etc.), and atmospheric dispersion modeling of the proposed facility. Testimony was on critical issues related to facility siting, equipment selection, anticipated performance (i.e., air quality modeling and BACT/LAER analyses).
• Provided expert witness investigation and testimony in Federal Court regarding a proposed new Brooklyn Federal Courthouse. Reviewed the DEIS, FEIS and Record of Decision for a new U.S. Eastern District Courthouse that was to be constructed in downtown Brooklyn. This review included atmospheric dispersion modeling and impact assessment of the traffic emissions associated with roadways serving the project site area.
Representative Expert Appearances
• Assisting Special Counsel to City of Brockton, Massachusetts in public hearings before the Siting Board, and in Appeal proceedings of Massachusetts DEP regarding a proposed 350 MW power plant and its air permitting and environmental review process.
• Appeared before numerous meetings of Sayreville, NJ Town Board and Environmental Commission, and Citizens Advisory Committee, to discuss and assess air emissions and impacts from a large steel mill located in Sayreville, NJ.
• Levin v. Cruisers Yachts; KCS International; and Krenzer Marine, Inc. Collected and reviewed data on formaldehyde emissions and human exposure in association with conditions found on a new yacht after its delivery to customer. Supreme Court, State of New York, Monroe County.
• Paper Service, Ltd. v. Algonquin Power Systems New Hampshire, Inc. Reviewed permitting and regulatory hurdles that a paper mill would have faced if a flood in October 2005 (and its associated damages) had not occurred, and the facility had proceeded with expansion plans. Cheshire County New Hampshire Superior Court (Docket No. 08-C-0095).
• Thomas & Betts Corporation v. The Travelers Insurance Company, et al. Review of actions taken at the Thomas & Betts Houston Site with respect to minimizing the facility’s impact on the environment, and determining whether the associated costs were costs of doing business, rather than remediation of prior contamination.
Selective Publications, Presentations
Eisen, P.A., “New Clean Air Act Regulations Create New Challenges for University Facilities”, May 2011 meeting of the Long Island Consortium of Physical Plant Administrators (LICPPA)
Eisen, P. A., “Climate Change, Regulatory Developments”, Presented at January, 2010 meeting of the Gloucester and Salem County, NJ Plant Executives
Eisen, P. A., “Air Pollution, Clean Air Act, Past, Present and Future Perspectives”, Presented to Touro Law School - Environmental Law Class, March 2008
Eisen, P. A., “Air Pollution Control in New York”, Presented at the New York Environmental Law & Management : Year 2000 Update, Government Institutes Division, ABS Group, Inc. October 16, 2000. Huntington, NY
Eisen, P. A., Egdall, R. S., Hennessy, P. J. and Wesolowski, T. B. Proceedings: Air & Waste Management Association 92nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition. “Development and Validation of Permit Limits for an EAF Meltshop. (1999)
Spisak, J. F. and Eisen, P. A. TAPPI Proceedings, 1999 International Environmental Conference, “Best Management Practice and Environmental Management Systems: Are You Really Prepared? Volume 2: 691-692. (1999)
Eisen, P. A., Wang, J. and Callahan, R. E. Proceedings: Air & Waste Management Association 91st Annual Meeting and Exhibition. “A Streamlined Approach for NAAQS Compliance Demonstration Modeling (1998)
Eisen, P. A., Callahan, R.E., and Wang, J. TAPPI Proceedings, 1998 International Environmental Conference, “An Updated Approach for Major Source Air Permit Modeling” Book 2: 711-720. (1998)
Eisen, P. A., and Callahan, R.E., TAPPI Proceedings, 1997 International Environmental Conference, “Retrospective Permitting For RACT and MACT Compliance At a Northeast Pulp and Paper Mill” Book 1: 277-296. (1997)
Eisen, P. A., and Callahan, R. E. Proceedings: Air & Waste Management Association 89th Annual Meeting and Exhibition. “RACT and MACT Compliance at a Northeast Pulp and Paper Mill.” (1996)
Eisen, P. A., and Callahan, R. E., TAPPI Proceedings, 1996 International Environmental Conference. “RACT and MACT Compliance at a Northeast Pulp and Paper Mill.” Book 2: 853-859. (1996)
Full Professional Bio
