Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series: From Clearance to Clean-Up: Turning Renewable-Energy Vegetation Waste into Remediation-Grade Biochar
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering
Speaker: Sameer Neve, Ph.D., EIT, Environmental Engineer, WSP USA
ABSTRACT
Onshore wind and solar projects start long before construction, with a complex permitting process that ensures environmental compliance and community engagement. This talk simplifies that journey, covering key steps such as site control, environmental reviews, and mitigation planning. Understanding these requirements is critical for designing projects that balance speed, cost, and ecological responsibility. But permitting isn’t just paperwork—it shapes what happens on the ground. One overlooked opportunity lies in the vegetation cleared during site preparation. Instead of treating this biomass as waste, there is vast potential to convert it into remediation-grade biochar using portable, modular systems near the project site. We introduce this approach that could reduce hauling and disposal costs, sequester carbon, and create a local supply of high-performance material for cleaning up contaminants like PFAS and metals. By aligning permitting conditions with circular strategies, renewable projects can deliver deeper sustainability benefits, thus turning compliance into innovation.
BIOGRAPHY
Sameer Neve is an Innovative Environmental Engineer and Sustainability Specialist with a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Stevens and over 7 years of experience in green technology, renewable energy, and environmental remediation. Sameer's doctoral research highlights the production and use of biochar for environmental remediation, showcasing his commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions. He has proven expertise in implementing decarbonization strategies, advanced environmental site assessments, and ESG frameworks. As a published author and patent holder, Sameer is recognized for translating cutting-edge research into scalable, impactful solutions. Sameer hosted the Hugo Neu Sustainability Seminar Series for 6 years since its inception in 2016.
Currently an Environmental Engineer at WSP, Sameer brings extensive academic and industry experience in soil remediation, water treatment, permitting, and governance. His broad skill set includes managing and carrying out environmental due diligence studies and Phase I and Phase II environmental site evaluations. Sameer has developed and managed subsurface soil investigations, groundwater monitoring, soil vapor sampling, wetland delineations, and environmental due diligence for different projects. Sameer's doctoral research highlights the production and use of biochar for environmental remediation, showcasing his commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions.
Zoom Link:
Website:
https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series
Jointly Sponsored by:
HUGO NEU Corporation
WSP
HDR
NOMADICS
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Dewberry
Contact:
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