Joseph W. Hower, PE, DEE

Joseph Hower is the Managing Principal and Air Quality Practice Leader of ENVIRON’s Southwest operations and is based out of Los Angeles office. He has over 30 years of experience in air quality management, including greenhouse gas management, regulatory compliance, permitting, litigation support, expert witness work, risk management, and pollution control engineering. Specific projects have ranged from Title V permit evaluations to managing the installation and start-up of multi-million dollar air pollution control systems. Joseph also leads ENVIRON's work in the area of emissions trading. His service on the South Coast Air Quality Management District Advisory Council for nearly five years provides an excellent understanding of regulatory processes. He uses this information to negotiate complex technical agreements and permits with agencies, assist facilities with compliance programs, and provide technical expertise to litigation teams. Joseph teaches air quality permitting and air pollution control courses at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He also serves on the University of Southern California (USC) Civil and Environmental Engineering program Industrial Advisory Council. Joseph is the Chair of the West Coast Section of the Air & Waste Management Association.

• Served as Principal-in-Charge and Project Manager for a cost effectiveness study of cold ironing (supplying shore side power to ships at berth) for the Port of Long Beach. This comprehensive study evaluated the shore side and ship side infrastructure needs, costs for the delivered power, and the emission reductions from cold ironing. In addition, the cost effectiveness of alternative emission control strategies such as emulsified fuel oil, selective catalytic reduction, and diesel particulate traps were evaluated.
• Managed the preparation of a health risk assessment for an aluminum metal melting plant that was subject to a California Proposition 65 lawsuit over lead emissions. The HRA showed that the plant did not trigger the need for warning under Proposition 65.
• Project Manager for the development of applications for Emissions Reduction Credits for particulates, NOx, carbon monoxide, and reactive organic gases from an aluminum and titanium smelting and forging plant. Mr. Hower was able to demonstrate that the equipment as it was qualified as BACT, resulting in an increase in PM10 ERCs of over 400 lbs/day. Unique methods were developed to quantify the emissions from the forging operations. The value of the credits granted by the SCAQMD was $2,000,000, all of which has been realized.
• Expert witness in litigation involving SCAQMD permitting of a bulk cement terminal. Testified on the subjects of permit process, offset availability, and the suitability of the permits that were finally issued. The lawsuit was settled in favor of the client.
• Leadsa large project to conduct energy, water, and waste management audits of large apartment buildings for a major property manager. Over 40 apartments were audited, and recommendations made to significantly reduce energy and water consumption, and to reduce waste disposal generation and costs.
• Managed the preparation and submittal of an application to modify an SCAQMD permit to operate a jet engine test cell. Mr. Hower suggested this modification, which was done to increase the allowable daily fuel usage by 2.5 times, while avoiding the requirement for offsets under the SCAQMD’s New Source Review Rule. The application was reviewed and approved by the SCAQMD.

MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Irvine

Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (DEE), Certified in Air Pollution
Registered Professional Engineer: California, Georgia, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and New Hampshire
Qualified Environmental Professional, Institute of Professional Environmental Practice
Certified Visible Emissions Evaluator (Opacity Reader), California Air Resources Board (inactive)
Certified Permitting Professional, South Coast Air Quality Management District

back to people