URS Corporation opened a new office in Rutland in 2007. It provides engineering and consulting services in the environmental, health & safety, and transportation sectors. Maureen Alvarez and Lee Gustafson of URS Corporation in Rutland were interviewed by Catherine Blake.

VBM: What is your opinion about Vermont's environmental situation? Is the "green state" staying green?

MA: I certainly think so. Last year I had the privilege of being appointed to the Governor's Vermont Engineering & Environment Advisory Council (VTEEAC). We are a diverse group of business leaders, educators, and government representatives dedicated to design a master plan for the state to be a global leader in engineering and environmental solutions. From an economic development standpoint, our goal is to attract and retain companies that share this vision. It's an aggressive goal, and it's the right thing to do.

The governor assembled this council to develop Vermont as the global center of excellence to study and apply leading-edge environmental engineering to help solve world-wide problems. By building a community of like-minded professionals, we feel other visionaries will follow suit and consider relocating or opening an office in Vermont. I think Vermonters and business are headed in the right direction.

VBM: How did URS end up in Vermont, aren't you a California-based company?

MA: You are correct; URS is headquartered in San Francisco but we have offices around the world. We've been working in Vermont for over 20 years, but never hung a shingle here. Back in January of 2007, we heard the Governor's state-of-the state address where he announced the strategy to grow Vermont's global green economy by leveraging environmental engineering as a strategic economic sector, and we thought it was the appropriate time to set up an office. We opened our office in Rutland last year as many of us were already living in the state. Our presence here has enabled us to attract and recruit qualified environmental engineers from other parts of the country.

VBM: What's the biggest threat to the state's environment?

LG: It's not always what you might think. There is a dichotomy between regulator and the regulated. Businesses are challenged with the complexity of laws and regulations, and since they are busy trying to run their businesses, they often become too overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. We often get called when a company ends up stockpiling materials only to find out that these materials present either an environmental or health and safety hazard. What we've found is that many businesses don't have certified environmental engineer or technical expert on staff to advise them on environmental or health and safety regulations.

So the real threat is lack of resources. The cost of everything is increasing - energy, labor, materials. Small to mid-sized companies have one person wearing many hats so, for example, the HR manager might also be responsible for health & safety, environmental, security, and maintenance. Many businesses can't support a full-time technical expert in the environmental and health and safety arena. This is why URS set-up an operation in Vermont. We are responding to the call and are doing our best to educate and provide support to keep our clients compliant so we can keep Vermont clean and green.

VBM: We keep hearing about wind farms cropping all over New England. Is this something URS is involved with?

LG: Yes, we are very much in the wind farm business and are helping utilities, private companies, and government agencies around the world deploy clean energy. Wind farms can be a great solution if properly planned which considers not only energy needs but also considers concerns typical raised but return on investment and esthetics.. Everyone is struggling with energy costs, and renewable, clean energy is clearly the alternative to petroleum. Renewable includes wind, hydro, solar, biodiesel and other alternatives.

An example of this is a ski area we're working with to develop wind energy on their property. Since ski areas already have lifts and other equipment on hillsides, we are looking at how they can use their real estate to generate clean power to save money.

As a state, there is work to be done to advance clean energy alternatives. My hope is that the state will offer incentives to companies who want to develop wind power and make the permitting process easier. This is why the Governor's advisory council is so important. Legislation will follow based on the demand for clean alternative energy sources. With more environmental engineers and others designing alternative solutions, I am confident that Vermont will strive to lead in this area. We are getting involved to make a difference.

VBM: What inspired you devote your career to this field?

MA: I am passionate about the safety and health field. I deal with employees in the workplace. It's my job to make sure that employees are safe at work. It's rewarding to know that I can affect the health, safety, and environment-at-large with my recommendations. I get discouraged when I know that companies know they can do a better job of protecting people and the environment but choose not to do anything about it. When organizations comply, everyone's happy.

As a senior in high school I got a job in the lunchroom at the factory in my town. I kept hearing stories from the employees getting hurt and the environment getting spoiled. I remember thinking that these are the things I want to fix as an adult. When our factory started putting programs into place to address the hazards, moral improved and accidents were reduced. When I went to college, I study toxicology and chemistry and my eyes were opened to the health hazards of chemicals. If companies handle things right and keep employees safe, everyone is ok. My life career has been in worker and chemical safety. If done right, everyone's happy.

LG: I've always enjoyed the outdoors as a kid. When I went to college, I studied geology. When I graduated, I had to make a decision to focus on either water or petroleum. I chose water. Now that translates to how we can use water as a clean, energy resource.

Personally, I have a goal of being energy independent at home. Right now, we are in the process of building a house that's timber frame, harvested from our own property. We heat with a masonry heater, which is highly efficient, clean, and wood-fired. We generate power with solar panels and are looking to develop hydro-power as a back-up system from a water source on our land using a turbine. Our hot water is heated by the wood-burning heater in the winter and the solar panels in the summer. Saving money and protecting the environment at home are the same objectives I try to meet as a client advocate. I love what I do as an environmental professional, and I love living, working, and raising a family in Vermont!

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