u COVER: NEW YORK’S FIRST SOLAR LANDFILL . . . . . . 1

u PAVING THE WAY FOR SPRING WITH ASPHALT PAVEMENT REPAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

u SUSTAINABLE WATER USE STARTS ON YOUR FRONT LAWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

spring 2014

blueprintnewsletter

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10 facts to ease you transition from incandescentsShedding some light on LED bulbs

town of Clarkstown to place large-scale photovoltaic array on a capped landfill in west nyack

New York State’s first solar landfill

A decommissioned landfill in the Town of Clarkstown is about to become home

to more than just decomposing trash. With construction expected to wrap up this summer, Clarkstown will become the first municipality in New York State to start up a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar array system on a capped landfill. The cutting-edge “solar field” is expected to save taxpayers as much as $4 million over the next 30 years. H2M has been working with Clarkstown on this innovative project since 2012, when the Town first sought to construct a 2.25 megawatt (MW) solar array on 13 acres of a 100-acre capped landfill in West Nyack. H2M initially prepared a feasibility study to identify a location within the landfill where the proposed system could be installed. During the process, we reviewed existing electric usage in the Town, identified regulatory and utility regulations and requirements to be addressed, and summarized the necessary permits to be approved. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the Town elected to move forward with the project, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) was prepared and sent to

potential solar array system

developers. Once a preferred vendor was selected, H2M assisted the Town with the development and negotiation of a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with the developer. The Power Purchase Agreement made the project eligible for a $2 million incentive subsidy from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Organization and timing were integral to the success of this project, as it demanded coordination and approvals from Orange and Rockland (O&R) Utilities, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority, Rockland County Trade Unions, NYSERDA, and the New York Power Authority. Because the solar array system and electrical interconnections will be constructed on an 18-year-old capped landfill, the NYSDEC required submittal of an Installation Work Plan to ensure that the integrity of the landfill’s geosynthetic membrane cap would not be compromised. Approval from NYSDEC was granted in November 2013 for the installation of 8,272 PV solar modules, which will produce electricity to be sold

back to the utility grid—enough to power about 2,000 homes. There is no cost to the Town for the installation of the solar array system, and it is estimated that in year 7 of the 20-year agreement the utility rate cost for the PV system will be less than the forecasted rate charged by O&R Utilities. “Without the help of H2M on this project, we would not have been able to maneuver through the regulatory and utility requirements, identify grant opportunities, and meet industry standards,” said Alex Gromack, Clarkstown Town Supervisor. “Their assistance has been invaluable.”

For more information, please contact George Desmarais, P.E., at gdesmarais@h2m.com.

A sCHeMAtiC OF ClArKstOwn’s new sOlAr FielD

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blueprint

what’s the best approach to asphalt pavement repair?

Potholes, potholes everywhere!

It’s that time of year when asphalt really shows its wear—sand, salt, snow, and

ice take their toll, and plows encourage the development of potholes and cracks wherever we look. As a civil engineer, I’m frequently approached by clients who want a set of engineering plans to remedy asphalt pavement that’s in disrepair. The nature of these projects can range from municipal roadways to small parking lots. As with every project, the owner is looking for a cost-effective solution. However, with paving projects, the least expensive alternative is not necessarily the most cost-effective in the long run. In order to select the appropriate method of repair, one must first understand the capabilities of each method. While there are many alternatives available to repair and rehabilitate asphalt pavement, there are a few common methods that are typically considered:

Asphalt SealcoatAn asphalt sealcoat is a surface treatment intended to prolong the life of a properly constructed pavement surface that is experiencing minor deterioration due to

aging. Sealcoating is generally the least expensive alternative when compared to other methods described below. It is applied in a liquid form to the surface of the asphalt pavement and acts as a sealant to prevent water from penetrating the asphalt and causing damage. Although most of us are probably familiar with a sealcoat being used to repair asphalt driveways, a sealcoat can also be utilized for commercial and municipal applications. A pavement sealcoat will provide protection for asphalt pavement that has not yet failed. Cracks or other visible defects that have already formed will not benefit from a sealcoat and will need to be repaired by other means to prevent water intrusion. Pavement that has begun to exhibit more advanced deterioration should probably be repaired by other means.

ResurfacingWhen pavement starts to exhibit moderate deterioration, the use of an asphalt overlay (resurfacing) can be an appropriate option. Resurfacing provides structural improvements to an existing pavement system. Typically, a minimum of 1.5 inches of asphalt is placed over the existing pavement. To be effective, existing defects such as “alligatored” pavement, large cracks, and potholes need to be repaired before the new asphalt is placed. One thing to keep in mind when considering an asphalt overlay is that cracks and other pavement failures that are caused by movement of the underlying base or soil will need to be addressed to prevent further movement. Otherwise, this movement will continue and cause the new overlay to crack as well.

In-place recyclingFor pavement with more advanced deterioration, resurfacing is still an option. However, the cost for larger quantities of the preparatory work such as patching and crack repairs may render that option cost-prohibitive. Under such circumstances, the use of in-place recycling may prove to be more cost-effective. In-place recycling of asphalt pavement is a procedure that involves grinding and pulverizing existing asphalt pavement and mixing it with the

underlying base material and an asphalt emulsion to create a dense, graded aggregate base material. New pavement is then placed over this recycled material, essentially creating a “new” pavement section. The beauty of this procedure is that it works independent of the current condition of the pavement—but it does require a properly constructed aggregate base material beneath the pavement. Pavement cores and/or soil borings are typically needed to confirm the presence of an aggregate base and the suitability of this method.

Complete replacementOf course, when other options are not viable, complete replacement is always an option. It is typically the most expensive, due to the need to remove and dispose of pavement and underlying soil. However, the end result is a brand new road or parking lot that should last 15 years or more before major repairs are required. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all options, these represent the most common methods. Each method of repairing and rehabilitating asphalt pavement should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a professional, but we believe this will provide some guidance when considering your next pavement repair project.

Matt Mohlin, P.E., manages H2M’s Municipal Engineering group. He can be reached at mmohlin@h2m.com.

A sUitABle sUrFACe FOr AspHAlt seAlCOAt

tOO MUCH DAMAge FOr seAlCOAting

tHe in-plACe reCYCling prOCess in ACtiOn

up to a 10-year warranty on its LED bulbs.

8. The life expectancy of an LED light bulb is 25,000 hours or more, which is approximately 17 years at a usage of four hours per day. By comparison, an incandescent bulb typically lasts between 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

9. LED bulbs are made up of not one, but multiple LEDs. Over its lifespan, an LED bulb will not burn out like an incandescent bulb, but will instead dim gradually over time.

10. Last, but certainly not least, is the reason for the federal ruling: a reduction in energy use. A 60-watt incandescent equivalent LED will use about 10 watts of electricity, which is a whopping 83.5% energy savings.

While you may not be ready to replace all of your incandescent bulbs today, think about trying just one LED bulb. After all, many home improvement centers have reported up to a six-month supply of incandescent bulbs in stock. And if the way LED bulbs currently outperform their incandescent counterparts is any indication, they may be stuck with this stock indefinitely.

Ron Lanner, R.A., LEED AP is the leader of H2M’s sustainability committee and the director of our municipal architecture studio. To learn more about sustainable design, you can reach Ron at rlanner@h2m.com.

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spring 2014

Say goodbye to incandescents

With most incandescent light bulbs being phased out for good this year, research suggests that the change won’t

be as painful as you might expect. Below are 10 facts about LEDs that may help shed some light on this new type of bulb and its many advantages:

1. LED bulbs, which were previously quite costly ($30 or more in 2010), can now be purchased for between $10-15.

2. Replacement LED bulbs are readily available and can be purchased almost anywhere, both online and in stores.

3. Glass choices for LED bulbs include both clear and frosted, closely resembling their incandescent predecessors.

4. The color of the bulb, which is listed as its temperature in degrees Kelvin, no longer has to be cool like the original LEDs. The warm glow that emanates from a standard incandescent light bulb can now be replicated with an LED.

5. Unlike compact fluorescents, LEDs turn on instantly, which means no more waiting for the lamp to reach its full light level.

6. LEDs can be dimmed with standard dimmers, but make sure you have a dimmable lamp so the bulb can work properly.

7. Some LEDs have warranties from the manufacturer and some do not. A manufacturer can offer

10 facts about leD light bulbs to ease your transition

Water conservation: It starts with your lawn!

As we emerge from the doldrums of winter and head into spring, thoughts of green lawns and lush landscaping come

to mind. The warm weather months ahead will increase our outdoor activities—and our water use—dramatically. Daily residential water use in our area is approximately 140 gallons per person. Water utilization is typically relegated to indoor use during the cold winter months, with less than 4 percent used for actual consumption. Remarkably, during the summer, average water usage skyrockets to 200 gallons per person per day, as illustrated in the graph at right. So, what causes this dramatic increase in water use when the weather gets warm? Hot and dry weather, coupled with our desire to keep our lawns nice and green, has always been the primary culprit. However, over the past three decades, the installation of automatic underground lawn irrigation systems has contributed significantly to escalated summertime water use. Such systems have become prevalent as a means to increase real estate values, as residents place a higher emphasis on property beautification through landscaping

investment and maintenance. The ease of use and automatic operation of irrigation systems make lawn and landscape watering a simple task that requires little thought and effort. Since water costs in our region tend to be very low when compared to other utilities, there is

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Sustainable irrigation starts at homeCOntinUeD FrOM pAge 3

little incentive to conserve our precious natural resource. However, long-term changes in weather patterns can significantly impact our groundwater resources. All we need to do is look to the west coast and take note of the significant effects of the drought in California. During the 1960s, Long Island experienced a similar long-term drought that drastically lowered groundwater elevations. In this era of climate change, history can and probably will repeat itself. Therefore, now is the time to develop good habits and simple sustainable practices that will promote more efficient use of our vital drinking water supply. Studies disseminated by local Cornell Cooperative Extensions have concluded that lawns tend to be over-irrigated. These studies determined that the irrigation of lawns every other day at a rate of one inch per week is sufficient for most areas. Because of the significant water use associated with lawn irrigation, sprinkling your lawn rather than soaking it is a simple, logical way to promote efficient use of the drinking water supply. Start by watering every other day rather than every day. Daily watering is not necessary, and too much water can do more harm than good, promoting lawn fungus and increasing runoff to storm sewers. To minimize water loss through evaporation, avoid irrigating on windy days and when temperatures are highest (generally mid-day, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.)

You can also take advantage of simple, low-cost technologies that promote water sustainability. The use of smart controllers and sensors on lawn irrigation systems will automatically adjust water usage based on weather and soil conditions. These sensors can override an automated timer and shut the system down during rain events. Similarly, moisture sensors can detect moisture levels in the soil and override the system controller to avoid over-watering. Don’t be surprised if you come across an app for this purpose in the near future! Practicing outdoor water sustainability is simple, cost-effective, and smart. It all starts with you and your lawn. Saving water today will ensure an abundant supply now and well into the future.

Paul Granger, P.E., is Vice President of H2M Water. He can be reached at pgranger@h2m.com.