In his opinion, there are two main parts to an organization\u2019s commitment to sustainability. One, doing what is right from an environmental compliance perspective and two, reducing a businesses\u2019 environmental footprint by adopting sustainable practices and reducing energy use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen we look at environmental risks, there are certain industries, such as petroleum and hazardous chemicals businesses, that have an inherent need to comply with a multitude of environmental regulations associated with their products. But it is not just those companies that have to manage environmental risks. Any company that uses or transports potentially hazardous materials is subject to environmental regulation and best management practices. Businesses that you would not associate with environmental risks are often subject to regulation. For example, most people would not think food manufacturers could have environmental issues. Raw materials from fuel to sanitizing chemicals are potentially subject to regulation. Materials as innocuous as sugar can become hazardous. Sugar can become explosive when airborne and subject to environmental permitting and simply discharging sugar to sanitary can potentially fowl public treatment systems and often requires extensive pretreatment and permitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we look at reducing an organization\u2019s environmental footprint, adopting practices such as recycling and waste minimization are important. However, the most significant impact can be realized when a business becomes more energy efficient. Energy efficiency improvements continue to pay off year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blanchard\u2019s Ambipar consultancy (which he founded in 1988) helps companies generate meaningful, measurable results that minimize their impact on the environment \u2014 offering actionable strategies for everything from Environmental Compliance and Remediation to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Alternatives. His client-base ranges from leading energy corporations and manufacturers to family-owned gas stations, hotel chains and ski resorts \u2014 and his staff of 20 includes experienced geologists, engineers and environmental scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile our first client was a national pipeline company, our largest client segment today is gas station owners \u2014 who regularly need help with regulatory compliance. In the event of a spill or leak from an underground storge tank system, we determine the impact, where those leaks are going, and how to clean them up. Over the last 10 years we\u2019ve successfully obtained regulatory closure at over 450 petroleum-impacted sites \u2014 an accomplishment we are extremely proud of!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blanchard\u2019s primary responsibility in most environmental consultations is helping companies understand and maintain compliance with all appropriate regulations. Toward that end, they offer a variety of specific services \u2014 including environmental compliance audits, site assessments and remedial investigations. What they uncover, and recommend, often means costly action for their clients. However, Blanchard notes, \u201cThe alternative \u2014 namely, ignoring the problem \u2014 is likely to be much costlier, in terms of fines, or even business shut-downs, for non-compliance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Blanchard\u2019s popular consulting services is Energy Efficiency. His team recently helped several major hotel brands with their sustainability efforts, including Marriott, Hilton, Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt, achieve 10 – 20% in energy savings. One of the hotels was LEED certified, and the team still identified a 10% improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen our clients implement the improvements we recommend, we\u2019re often called-on afterward to verify their energy-savings claims to the utilities to qualify them for rebates and tax incentives.\u201d The long-term benefit to Blanchard\u2019s energy-consulting services is, of course, that \u201conce a client has made the investment that entitles them to rebates, they continue operating at the lower cost \u2014 so with each passing year, they\u2019re saving even more money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur typical approach is to start with an assessment to determine no-cost operational changes, low-cost purchases, and more strategic investments. We put that into a strategy with the financial and other benefits, the actions and investments required \u2014 and the recommended priorities and timeframes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t show enough savings to exceed our fee, it\u2019s free. Fortunately for us, and for our clients, that\u2019s never happened. To date, our clients have saved over 144 million kWh, which equates to over $15.8 million in accumulated energy savings. We\u2019ve also secured over $2.3 million in rebates, grants and other incentives to help pay for our clients\u2019 energy saving investments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another growing market segment for Blanchard\u2019s services is consulting to manufacturing businesses \u2014 where his Sustainability pitch is twofold: Maintain environmental compliance and reduce energy use \u2014 while documenting the results. \u201cVery often, we find companies scale-up into situations where they are required to obtain environmental permits, and they don\u2019t even know it. Or, as part of incremental scaling, equipment often loses efficiency and businesses end up spending way more on energy than they need to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of the objective, one thing is certain: Clients hire Blanchard\u2019s team knowing they\u2019ll get a lot more than just lip service for their investment. They get results they can quantify and share with their investors and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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