Coal Combustion Residual Rule Updates and Reuse Options with Robert Wilkinson, TDEC CCR Manager
Sean Grady interviews Robert Wilkinson, an expert with over 25 years of experience in environmental investigation, assessment, and management. Robert, who is the CCR Technical Manager at TDEC's Bureau of Environment, discusses his extensive background and how he became involved in managing issues related to coal combustion residuals (CCR) at TVA coal-fired power plants in Tennessee. The conversation dives into the history and regulatory framework of CCR, the environmental and health impacts, the challenges utilities face in compliance, and the evolving landscape of beneficial reuse projects. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the complexities and innovative approaches in managing coal ash, aiming to prevent future environmental disasters like the 2008 Kingston spill.
Robert Wilkinson
CCR Technical Manager
Robert Wilkinson has over 25 years’ experience in environmental investigation, assessment, remediation, compliance, and management. His background includes site characterization, risk management, due diligence, remedial design/construction, groundwater/surface water quality, industrial services, waste management, and hazardous materials emergency response. Over the course of his career, Robert has worked as a consultant, contractor, and regulator. Robert has managed projects for agricultural chemical, manufacturing, oil & gas, public utilities, power generation, and governmental entities across the United States and Mexico. Robert is a Licensed Professional Geologist (PG) in Tennessee and New York and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
In his current role as for TDEC’s Bureau of Environment, Robert is responsible for the investigation, assessment, and remediation of environmental impacts resulting from the management and disposal of CCR at TVA Coal Fired Power Plants in Tennessee. In addition, Robert is the Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) for TDEC and works with internal stakeholders to develop and manage the required elements of the EPA approved TDEC Quality Management Plan (QMP). Robert is active in multiple professional organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP).
In his free time, Robert is an avid reader, musician, farmer, baseball fan, and vintage base ball (yes, two words) player.
