MEET THE EXPERTS – DR. BRANT

Encore Green Environmental wants you to know all there is to know about increasing all the benefits that come from applying cleaned industry by-product water to the arid land. So – we want you to meet our team of experts that are aligned with us.

Today, we hear from Dr. Jonathan Brant,Associate Professor / Director of the Center of Excellence in Produced Water Management, University of Wyoming

EGE

Dr. Brant, thanks for chatting with us today. Briefly describe your role at the CEPWM.

DR. BRANT

I direct a group of scientists, engineers and other professionals who have the shared goal of making produced (byproduct) water an economically viable and environmentally sustainable option. My research efforts specifically focus on developing separation processes for removing solids, hydrocarbons, and salts from water. 

EGE

Thanks. What’s your background? 

DR. BRANT

All of my degrees are in civil engineering. I obtained my BS at the Virginia Military Institute in 1998 and my MS and PhD degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2000 and 2003, respectively. During my graduate study I worked under the guidance of Dr. Amy Childress who is a well-known leader in membrane technologies. After graduate school I worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Rice University from 2004 to 2006 and then at Duke University from 2006 to 2007. During this time, I worked for Dr. Mark Wiesner to develop new engineered nanomaterials for various environmental applications, including desalination processes. I then transitioned to private industry working as a consulting engineer for HDR Engineering before joining the faculty at the University of Wyoming in 2008. 

 EGE

What has drawn you to your field of expertise? That is, what’s your motivation for your work day in and day out?

DR. BRANT

I have a deep and sincere passion for environmental preservation. My guiding belief is that the health and long-term viability of human civilization is directly dependent on how we interact with our environment. To this end, water management is a foundational principle for sustainable societies.

EGE

What’s been one professional success you’re proud of?

DR. BRANT

I am most proud of my students, both undergraduate and graduate, that have gone on to be leaders in the environmental engineering field. Seeing the “spark” in their intellectual curiosity as they go through school is a very powerful moment. I am also very proud of the role that our Center has played in moving produced (byproduct) water reuse a more viable and visible option. 

EGE

What’s one unusual or little-known fact about you? 

DR. BRANT

I live in a house of women – my lovely wife, four amazing daughters and my dog (a girl picked by my daughters)! This was a big change in lifestyle considering I went to an all-male college. Also, my wife and I were high school sweethearts. 

EGE

From your point of view and expertise, what do you think of the “Just Add Water Initiative?

DR. BRANT

My belief is that acceptance of this initiative has been a long time coming! Water is a scarce resource, and in the West, it is becoming more scarce for a host of reasons. Making use of all of our water resources will be necessary as we move through the 21stCentury much as we did and continue to do with municipal water reuse. Previously, people would say that the technology was not there to treat and reuse produced waters or that it was too expensive. Neither of these statements or beliefs is true any longer in my opinion. The technology is certainly there. Stakeholders are only waiting on someone else to “prove it”, which is unfortunately common in water related applications. Cost wise there has been an incomplete accounting of the value of water. Too often when stakeholders speak of the cost of water management they focus only on the cost to put it back down hole while ignoring other costs like transporting the water and spillage/remediation. There are also many economic benefits to be had, like those summarized in the Just Add Water Imitative – carbon credits, agricultural security arising from drought proof water availability, and reductions in the costs of acquiring process water. So you can see I am a strong supporter of this imitative! 

 EGE

From your point of view and expertise, what is the benefit of increasing soil health?

DR. BRANT

The loss of natural grasslands and other systems is obvious to anyone that has taken a plane ride across our nation or viewed aerial images of for example the rain forests of Brazil. In fact, the natural vegetative cover in Wyoming has changed dramatically over the past 100 yrs through over grazing of cattle and changes in water availability, amongst other reasons. Deagradation and loss of our soil health has serious implications for our agricultural productivity, loss of soil through erosion, and ecosystem sustainability. Improving soil health is therefore needed to combat these, and many other, negative outcomes. One obvious area that must be addressed is finding a way to feed the nearly 10 billion people that are projected to occupy Earth by 2050. This can only be done by improving the productivity of our lands, while keeping a keen eye on environmental sustainability. Both of these goals may be reached through better use of our water resources and incorporating innovative soil management strategies. 

EGE

Could you briefly describe carbon sequestration and how introducing a new source of water facilitates it?

DR. BRANT

Traditionally when we think of carbon sequestration we envision storing liquefied CO2 in deep subsurface formations. But there are many ways to “store” carbon. Another way is through the natural photosynthetic process where plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The plants use a portion of this CO2 for a variety of processes and the remainder is sent into the soil through the root system. This carbon becomes part of the soil, improving its overall health and ability to retain water. Some studies have indicated that this carbon can be stable for many thousands of years thereby keeping it out of the atmosphere. 

EGE

Can you tell us one thing that excites you about the potential of adding a new source of water to the arid western state?

I am most excited about seeing how this will benefit both nature and man. We will see a rebirth in our natural grassland systems, which will benefit struggling mule deer and other groups. For us, we will see improvements in agricultural systems (feed stocks for cattle amongst others) and expedited vegetative remediation of well pads and industry impacted areas. Finally, I am perhaps most excited about seeing a sea change in how we as a society view water!

Want Water?

We all need water. And not just to brush our teeth in the morning. Water does all sorts of things for us – and growing things is one of the most important. 

Without water, our land is dry dirt. Winds take off the top soil. The nutrients in the soil die. We’ve all seen dry, cracked land, especially out here in the West. Heck, they even named it the Arid West because we just don’t get enough water 

But -- what if we could introduce a NEW source of water into the Arid West. Well, pretty soon, we’d just call it the West. Because being arid would be a thing of the past. 

Here’s the good news. We can do that. Right now. The intersection of oil wells and arid land is the point of opportunity. 

The oil wells pump out 3 to 6 times the amount of water as they do crude oil. This by-product water can be cleaned and put out onto the surrounding arid land. And what do you get when you get water?

Things that grow.

Conservation increases. Soil becomes healthy. Carbon is taken out of the air. The aquifer is protected. All because the “arid land” becomes “just land.” 

Land with water equals things that grow.

What will you grow?

Let’s talk about it. 818.470.0285.

Or just read about it: www.encoregreenenvironmental.com/cbd

No, You First

There are only a few business people who are willing to try something new. This isn’t to be negative, it’s just a fact. Statistically we are mostly wired to be risk-averse and go with the flow. 

But in business, if you are the one standing in the doorway, saying, “You go first,” then you will soon find that the door is closed and you can’t enter in.

The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative is a way for oil producers, land owners, growers, and environmentalists to walk through the door to a better future of water in the West. Cleaning the oilfield by-product water and applying it on the ground for ag and conservation introduces a new source of water to the arid land with staggering benefits:

o  Soil health improves. 

o  Carbon is pulled from the air. 

o  Vegetation grows. 

o  The aquifer is protected. 

o  Growers increase. 

All of that happens if you ‘Just Add Water.’

But you have to walk through the door. Holding it open for others won’t do you any good. Thoughts on this?

Give a call. We love to chat about it. 818.470.0285

It is Broken – So Fix

When we began to advocate to take oilfield by-product water, clean it up, and apply it on the land for ag and conservation, we kept hearing – “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” 

Okay, they didn’t really say it like that. 

They said things like, “This is very interesting.” “Well, if you can make that work, that’d be good.” “You keep at it and let us know how it’s going.” But no one really took it seriously.

That was then.

Today, we have proposals in for 5 projects across 3 states. Legislation in multiple states are wanting to see an alternative to injection of by-product water become real. The tide has shifted and it’s coming in.

And it’s coming in hard. 

We encourage all stakeholders to take a second look at this. Own land? Work at an oil company? Grow things for a living? Make policy? We need to talk.

The system is broken, unfriendly to the environment, and keeps the dry lands of the West dry. 

It’s broken. So, let’s fix it together.

Thoughts on this? Give a call. We love to chat about it. 818.470.0285

The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative – Interview with a Plant

The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative is a joint project of Encore Green Environmental, Beneficial-Use Water Alliance, and the University of Wyoming’s Center of Excellence in Produced Water Management.

We are interviewing a number of experts about how adding water onto the land of the arid western states changes everything. 

So, we thought we’d start with an interview with some vegetation. Now, we know plants don’t talk. But if they could, it’d go something like this:

INTERVIEWER: Thank you speaking with us today . . . uh, do you have a name?

PLANT: I’m just a plant.

INTERVIEWER: Is your first name Robert? Get it? Robert Plant?

PLANT: I don’t get it. 

INTERVIEWER: Never mind. Can you tell us what you like to do in your spare time?

PLANT: I don’t have spare time. I spend all day taking in sunshine, releasing oxygen, and sequestering carbon dioxide.

INTERVIEWER: Can you tell us more about this sequestering thing?

PLANT: Underground, my roots and the surrounding soil love carbon. I mean, really love carbon. So, above ground we pull in carbon dioxide and so we can lock it away in the roots and soil. 

INTERVIEWER: So, you’re like nature’s vacuum cleaner.

PLANT: I don’t get it.

INTERVIEWER: Never mind. So, you have fun all day sequestering carbon?

PLANT: When I get to, yes. But because I’m a plant in the arid western states, we don’t have much water. Without water I can’t do much. My leaves turn brown.  I wilt and there’s not much sequestering of carbon going on.

INTERVIEWER: So, you support The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative?

PLANT: Yes! All of plants do. Even the trees are getting in the action. Everything changes when you add water. I grow. I sequester carbon. And I can achieve major conservation goals. But you gotta give me water. 

So, that’s what the vegetation thinks. What do you think? We’d love to hear from you

So, What the Heck is Carbon Sequestration Anyway?

While it may at first sound like what your mechanic does with the carburetor, Carbon Sequestration is actually a natural process that vegetation does as part of being vegetation. It’s in the plant’s job description.

At Encore Green Environmental, we are spreading info about Carbon Sequestration as part of The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative. Carbon Sequestration is our future here in the oil producing states in the arid west and so we all need to be up to speed.

Here’s the quick version:

Vegetation naturally has a process called photosynthesis. You remember that from your science books, right? Plants use sunshine and water to do two things. 

o  They give off oxygen, which is very handy for us humans. 

o  AND they pull in carbon dioxide from the air. The carbon goes down into their roots and surrounding soil and is ‘sequestered,’ which is another way of saying it gets locked away in the roots and soil. 

So, it’s a very natural process that’s as old as dirt (and plants). Why do we care? 

Because  scientists are on record saying we need to get carbon out of our air for the sake of our environment. But, here in the ARID states, we don’t have much vegetation because we don’t have much water. So, we don’t have much Carbon Sequestration.

That’s where The ‘Just Add Water’ Initiative comes in.

Encore Green Environmental has a patent-pending process to take oilfield by-product water, clean it up to match the soil, and apply to the land, causing vegetation to grow. And, as you now know, vegetation creates Carbon Sequestration, which improves our environment.

This method also protects our aquifers, increases soil health, mitigates erosion and other benefits.

So, what is Carbon Sequestration? It’s our future.

Give us a call. We love to talk about this. 818.470.0285.

Do We Have an RFP With Your Name On It?

No, not RFD. RFP. We have a Request for Proposal to send to any of you who are in the oilfield by-product water cleaning business. We have multiple projects in Wyoming, Texas, and New Mexico. Ideally, you have an on-site water cleaning unit that can handle 5,000 or more barrels a day. 

Is that you? Give a shout because we’re on the move. There’s been a lot of talk about better solutions instead by-product water injection. We’re done talking and are looking for the right technology to move forward. Just Add Water – a new initiative to change our world.  

Give us a call or drop us a line:

818.470.0285

Jeff.Holder@EncoreGreenEnvironmental.com

Science! It’s Not Just About Lab Coats

Our view of a scientist is too limited. Sure, we picture an absent-minded genius in a lab coat standing before a blackboard filled with mathematical equations. Or we picture an Ivy League science lab with multi-million-dollar equipment, expanding theoretical horizons. We see science is something that is limited to the chosen few who live sequestered in the ivory tower. We believe that their science is true. They are at an east or west coast university and, well, they wear those lab coats and use big words. So, their scientific pursuits must be real. And there’s plenty of women and men like this, doing great work.

But we have discovered among some communities, especially those dealing with our environment, that these lab coated, Ivy League scientists are the only ones to be believed. Instead, at Beneficial-Use Water Alliance and Encore Green Environmental, we know that science is science.

In contrast to these images of the absent-minded professor, there’s an army of brilliant scientists, working in the real world of agriculture who conduct both theoretical and applied sciences to the field of agriculture and agronomy.

And at every meal, we enjoy their success. See, once upon a time, a grower was fortunate to grow enough for just his family. In the 1930’s the farmer could feed 4 people. By 1960, a farmer fed 26 people. Now, thanks to the theoretical and applied work of ag scientists, one grower feeds 155 people. This isn’t because we have better tractors – it’s because ag science has improved. 

We are pleased to work alongside brilliant men and women who lead us to make sure that all policies and procedures are grounded in science. Expand your mind. Drop your prejudices. Put on some boots and go do science in the dirt.

Let us know what you think.  Director@beneficialusewateralliance.

Yes, You In The Back! Let’s Hear From Mr. Ag

We’re having a lot of discussion about our lands, our energy, and our environment. But we’d like to call on the quieter member of our group here today. Yes, you in the back. Speak up! 

See, we haven’t heard from Agriculture too much in the midst of the near-constant duality of environmental concern vs. need for affordable energy. The American growers have just been sitting in the back, doing what they do best: grow things and mind their own business.

They put up with unreliable weather, political maneuvering, a fickle consumer, and a lot of long, hard days to give us a myriad of food choices at the supermarket. But we haven’t asked them to stand up in our forum to talk about energy and environment very much.

The Beneficial-Use Water Alliance is here to change that.

See, Agricluture knows more about land than the rest of us. They live on it and earn a living from it. Most every grower is the latest in a long line of ancestral growers. It’s in their blood.

So, let’s ask Agriculture what they think about all this, since every day for generations they have been the best stewards for our land and environment. Their track record speaks for itself. Agriculture always takes care of the land. 

Industry’s track record is not so great. In the past, Industry has been known to compromise sometimes on stewardship of the land to keep the wheels of industry turning. They care about the land, but only as a means to an end. 

The Environmentalists care for the land, for sure. But, they too, are sometimes after a means to an end, as well. There’re some voices that want to wall off the land and make it a sanctuary we can only look at from afar or maybe go on a hike with special permitting.

Agriculture has proved they take the middle position. We need to use the land to benefit people, but we also must do it responsibly.

It’s the middle way. The way of the land. The way we can all go forward. Want to talk about it? Leave a comment or give Beneficial-Use Water Alliance a call or email: 818.470.0285, director@beneficialusewateralliance.com.

Move Over Dyson, There’s a Better Cleaner

You probably haven’t thought of it, but what we need to help our environment is a vacuum cleaner. No, not to vacuum the earth, but to vacuum the sky.

Our sky has too much carbon, some scientists say. And we have to find a way to get rid of it. Well, when we have too much dust and dirt in the den, we use a vacuum cleaner to pull the offending elements into the machine and then lock away the dust in a trash can. We use what we should call Dust Sequestration. 

So, why not do the same thing with our sky? Why don’t we vacuum the sky and pull in the offending Carbon and lock it away somewhere safe? Before you picture a wind farm with suction, here’s a better solution: 

Let’s use plants and trees to vacuum out the carbon and lock it away in their root system. We could call it Carbon Sequestration. Hey, what do you know? Everyone’s been trying to figure out how to do Carbon Sequestration and the lowly plant has had the solution after all!

Plants use photosynthesis to release Oxygen and pull in Carbon Dioxide. That Carbon is then moved to their root system and surrounding soil. 

All we need to do is grow things. And we have a perfect solution of too much dry land and too much oilfield by-product water. If we clean up that water and apply to the land, then things grow. When things grow, they turn on their vacuum cleaners and get Carbon out of the air.

Let’s get busy cleaning. Give us a call. 818.470.0285