PCPG upcoming events

Exam Rebate Application for March 2026 FG Exam (March 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Application for Pennsylvania Fundamental of Geology Exam Rebate

Note: Only apply after having received notification that you passed the March 2026 FG Exam.

Barbara J Dunst Memorial Fund

PCPG has established a Memorial Fund in memory of Barbara Dunst, PG and PCPG Past President in conjunction with the Dunst family. Barb, throughout her career, was a strong supporter of geology education and the Profession of Geology in Pennsylvania. A strong advocate of all students and women in particular, her career embodied everything a Professional Geologist should be – a consummate professional, mentor, educator and supporter of the Geosciences in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Purpose: The fund was established to offset the cost for the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination fee administered in PA. This fund is directed to young professionals and students who desire to obtain a license to practice geology in PA and have completed the courses needed to fulfill the requirements for taking the FG exam. Upon passing the PA FG examination and completing this application within the required time frame, the applicant will be reimbursed the cost of the FG examination fee on a first-come, first-served basis.

Deadline: This application must be submitted within six (6) months of the exam date.

Fund Review: The Fund will accept applications within the required time frame on a first-come first-served basis.

Exclusions: No reimbursements will be awarded to applicants whose employer offers an exam fee reimbursement benefit.

Special Considerations: Special circumstances (e.g. state of residency) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

PCPG will verify license issuance by accessing PA DOS BPOA online verification system.

If you prefer to submit the application and required documentation by email, download the FG Exam rebate application. Instructions are provided on the form.

Act 2 Webinar #3: Site Specific Standard (105 mins.) (May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PA Land Recycling Program

Act 2 Site Specific Standard

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Join PCPG and PADEP for Webinar 3 of our Act 2 Land Recycling Program series, focusing on the Site-Specific Standard (SSS).

This session will cover the process of selecting and applying the Site-Specific Standard, including site characterization, risk assessment, and the use of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM).

We will discuss the various attainment options, such as pathway elimination, remedial investigations, and human health and ecological risk assessments. The webinar will also address the procedures for public involvement and reporting, and will include real-world examples to guide your understanding of the remediation process.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain deeper insights into SSS and enhance your expertise in site-specific cleanups under Act 2.

Download Instructor Bios

Please read: After registering on our site you'll receive a PCPG confirmation email indicating Action Required in the subject line. Your registration is not complete until you click through the unique link in that email directing you to the GoToWebinar web site, enter your name, email address, consent to terms and conditions, and click the Register button. Check your spam filter if you do not see the PCPG 'Action Required' email within 60 seconds of registering, here; or ask IT to release the Email. If you use Gmail, our system workflow emails are received into some other Gmail folder. Please check all Gmail folders and white-list @pcpg.org emails, or don't use a Gmail email address when registering.

Post-webinar recordings will be available 4-6 weeks after the date of this webinar, and found on our Recordings page, at cost indicated.

If joining by mobile phone (audio), you must first join using a browser, and select Phone under Audio on Control Panel so your attendance is recorded and tied to your phone number. No certificate(s) will be issued for individuals failing to follow this guidance. Alternatively, you may join using the GoToWebinar mobile app. Don't wait until the day of the webinar to download. Download and open it ahead of Tuesday, May 12.

You will receive a separate log-in credential sent via GoToWebinar one week, one day, and one hour prior to the webinar start time. Check you spam folder, particularly if using Gmail. If you have a company email address, please use when enrolling for this webinar.

PDH certificates will be distributed electronically 7-10 business days after each webinar date. The certificate will indicate total time in webinar not to exceed 105 mins.

If you arrive after webinar begins, or leave prior to the webinar concluding, your PDH certificate will reflect same.

Act 2 Webinar #4: Background and Special Industrial Area (105 mins.) (June 09, 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PA Land Recycling Program

Act 2 Background and Special Industrial Area

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Join PCPG and PADEP for Webinar 4 of our Act 2 Land Recycling Program series, focusing on the Background Standard and Special Industrial Areas (SIA).

This session will cover the Background Standard process, including establishing background concentrations in soil and groundwater, and achieving attainment for contamination from natural or area-wide conditions.

We’ll also dive into the SIA process, discussing eligibility, limited cleanup obligations, and the steps for obtaining liability relief through Consent Orders and Agreements (COA). Whether you're working with legacy industrial sites or navigating background contamination, this training will help enhance your understanding of Pennsylvania’s remediation framework and ensure compliance with Act 2 standards.

Download Instructor Bios

Post-webinar recordings will be available 4-6 weeks after the date of this webinar, and found on our Recordings page, at cost indicated.

PDH certificates will be distributed electronically 7-10 business days after each webinar date. The certificate will indicate total time in webinar not to exceed 105 mins.

If you arrive after webinar begins, or leave prior to the webinar concluding, your PDH certificate will reflect same.

Tour: Evolution of a progressive Municipal Waste Management System and Managing the Legacy of Landfill Contaminants. Includes tours of a Waste-to-Energy Facility and an Ash Processing Facility (150 mins.) (June 10, 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Evolution of a progressive Municipal Waste Management System and Managing the Legacy of Landfill Contaminants. Includes tours of a Waste-to-Energy Facility and an Ash Processing Facility

Presenter

Richard Hazenstab, PG

Coordinator of Operations and Environmental Programs

York County Solid Waste Authority

2700 Blackbridge Road

York, PA

2:00-2:30: Arrivals/Sign-in

2:30-5:00: Presentation + Tours

5:00: Sign-out/evaluation/departures

5:30-7:00: Continental Drifters - Location TBA

Closed toe shoes are required, and PPE can be provided (hardhat, safety glasses, hearing protection).

Within 10 business days and after auditing participation, PCPG will circulate a PDH certificate documenting registrant’s participation time, not to exceed 150 minutes.

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Who should attend: Environmental project managers, geologists, hydrogeologists, regulators, and waste management professionals.

Overview: This presentation is a case study on managing legacy groundwater contaminants, the evolution of landfill technology and the movement toward advanced municipal waste management systems. Like many areas, York County, PA, has a history of unregulated dumps. To address this, in 1971 the York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) was created to ensure the adequate and proper disposal of all municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the county. The initial landfill approach utilized shallow trench and fill methods. After groundwater contamination was discovered, the York County Landfill became one of several landfills in the county that was listed asa CERCLA site (Superfund). More modern landfill technologies were then incorporated for several years while the YCSWA researched and developed the future direction of MSW management in York County.

The presentation will examine the challenges of groundwater containment in a setting with fractured geology, and the challenges of managing a groundwater treatment system located at the headwaters of two receiving streams. At the 2025 PCPG annual meeting, Mr. Hazenstab gave a presentation on research for a novel mercury treatment system being developed as an enhancement to an existing groundwater treatment system. An update on those efforts will be provided.

The current approach to managing MSW in York County includes a waste-to-energy facility, and an advanced ash processing facility. Tours and operational details of these facilities will be part of the presentation.

About our presenter: Mr. Hazenstab is a Professional Geologist with the York County Solid Waste Authority. He has 40 years of experience in the environmental field including studies on impacts from surface mining and municipal waste. He is a graduate from the Pennsylvania State University with a Geoscience Degree in a Geophysics Option. He is a past PCPG board member from 2000 through 2009.

Webinar: Practical Solutions to PFAS: Scalable Site Management Strategies (60 mins.) (June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Practical Solutions to PFAS: Scalable Site Management Strategies

Presenter

Michael Hertz, PG, Vice President

National Service Line Program Manager, Site Characterization and Remediation

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Inc., PBC

Within four business days and after auditing participation, PCPG will circulate a PDH certificate documenting registrant’s participation time, not to exceed 60 minutes.

Level: Intermediate

Who should attend: Environmental project managers, geologists, hydrogeologists, regulators, soil scientists, scientists

Webinar Overview: During this presentation, we will discuss a holistic overview of the evolving PFAS regulatory landscape and discuss how these shifts underscore the urgent need for the implementation of scalable, sustainable, and science-based solutions to cost-effectively manage PFAS in a manner protective of both human health and the environment.

PFAS has increased remediation liability by an estimated $120B to $175B. This is due to the low toxicity thresholds for PFAS including PFOS/PFOA at part per trillion concentrations for future residents. While most remediation sites are located at facilities that will remain under owner control for the foreseeable future and therefore may not require remediation to residential standards, the soil-to-groundwater pathway increases the potential for connected offsite receptors/users of groundwater. Therefore, the projected remediation costs are associated with these parts per trillion groundwater drinking standards. We will discuss potential risk management strategies to prioritize remediation through the use of mass discharge assessments.

Finally, anthropogenic sources of PFAS can create precipitation, soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater that also exceed health-based criteria. These “background” sources need to be considered as part of the remediation goals development as cleanup to be below background in not required under CERCLA and most, if not all, state cleanup programs.

We will also present case studies demonstrating successful PFAS source identification. These case studies will illustrate how high-resolution spatial data, forensic signatures, and targeted sampling approaches can inform strategic decision-making and reduce unnecessary treatment burdens.

About our presenter: Mr. Hertz is a Professional Geologist with 28 years of experience performing environmental investigations/remediation projects throughout the United States. He is a Vice President at EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC serving as national program manager for the company’s site characterization and remediation service line. Mr. Hertz has extensive experience in the full lifecycle of environmental projects from site investigations, remedial alternatives analysis, remedial design, construction, operation, and optimization. From this experience, he has gained insights with applying risk-focused investigations that yield cost-effective remediation alternatives. Mr. Hertz graduated from The Ohio State University, with a degree in Geological Sciences.

6-Webinar Package: PG Review Course for the Practicing Geologist and ASBOG® Exam Candidate (900 mins.) (July 28, 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Save the dates. Registration will soon open, along with stand-alone event for each date listed below.

6-Webinar Package: PG Review Course for the Practicing Geologist and ASBOG® Exam Candidate (900 mins.)

You are registering for a six-part webinar series as noted below. If you intended to enroll for a single date, please return to the home page calendar and select the date for any specific topic(s).

Post-webinar recordings will not be available.

Our usual and customary cancellation policy applies to the six-part webinar series, and cancellation must be requested five business days prior to the first webinar scheduled for July 28. Partial refunds will not be made for missed webinars.

Reference materials will be sent ahead of each webinar, with some handouts available during the live webinar. If joining by mobile phone (audio), you must first join using a browser, and select Phone under Audio on Control Panel so your attendance is recorded and tied to your phone number. No certificate(s) will be issued for individuals failing to follow this guidance. Alternatively, you may join using the GoToWebinar mobile app. Don't wait until the day of the first webinar. Download and open it ahead of Tuesday, July 28.

You will receive separate log-in credentials for EACH of the six webinar sessions, sent via GoToWebinar one week, one day, and one hour prior to the webinar. It is important to keep organized so you readily locate appropriate log-in credentials. Also, pay attention to the date noted in subject line and be sure to add to your calendar.

Schedule

Instructor Bios (coming soon)

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - Part One: 6:00-8:30 PM

General and Field Geology, Geomorphology (75 mins.)

Mineralogy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (75 mins.)

Kurt Friehauf, PhD, P.G., Kutztown University

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - Part Two: 6:00-8:30 PM

Structural Geology and Tectonics (150 mins.)

Daniel Harris, PhD, PennWest California

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - Part Three: 6:00-8:30 PM

Hydrogeology and Geochemistry (150 mins.)

Kyle Fredrick, PhD, PennWest California

Chris Mulry, PG, Groundwater and Environmental Services, Inc.

Thursday, August 6, 2026 - Part Four: 6:00-8:30 PM

Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (85 mins.)
Tamra Schiappa, PhD, Slippery Rock University

Seismology, Exploration Geophysics, and Well Logging (65 mins.)

Thomas E. Jordan, PhD, P.G., JGGS, LLC

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Part Five: 6:00-8:30 PM

Engineering Geology (150 mins.)

Gary MB Kribbs, PG, AEON Geoscience, Inc.

Matthew Morris, PG, GFT, Inc.

Thursday, August 13, 2026 - Part Six: 6:00-8:30 PM

Economic and Resources Geology: Petroleum and Coal (75 mins.)

Kristin Carter, PG, DCNR Geologic Survey

Economic and Resources Geology: Mining (75 mins.)

Kurt Friehauf, PhD, P.G., Kutztown University

Our instructors are wholly focused on your learning experience, and remain available via Email and telephone to answer questions after the webinar concludes.

Mock tests are a component of the 6-part webinar series.

Visit What others have said about this course.

PCPG Review Course Participants / Future ASBOG® Exam Candidates:
The components of this 6-part webinar series are aligned with the general subject areas contained in the ASBOG® Geologist Examinations. However, the course is not intended as a sole-source for your test preparation. It is instead a proven resource and guide for your further preparation efforts. The course also provides a concentrated review and a general refresher for the practicing Professional Geologist and PDH/CEU certificates will be awarded.
During this 6-part webinar series, about one hour is devoted to review a full-semester college course. The webinars are not intended as a "How to take the Test" review. Registrants usually take this course 6 to 12 months from their intended exam date with the understanding that significant, additional preparation will be needed prior to sitting for their examination.
We are certain that you will find the provided information helpful to your preparation, enabling you to better succeed in the ASBOG® Examinations.

PCPG 2027 Annual Meeting & Education Sessions (February 11, 2027)

Thu, 11 Feb 2027 13:00:00 GMT

Save the date

PCPG 2027 Annual Meeting

Thursday, February 11, 2027

The Best Western Central Hotel & Conference Center

Ballroom A/B/C

800 East Park Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

8:00-9:00—Arrivals, Registration, Networking, Morning Refreshments

9:00-4:30—Program

4:30-6:00—Continental Drifters Networking Event

PDH certificates

You must sign-in and sign-out at the registration table to receive a certificate. Certificates will be distributed electronically within 72 business hours.

Be sure to visit our Associate member tables during the day.

Hotel Room Block: PCPG hotel room Rrate of $149.95++ expires 12/30/26, or when the block is sold out. Telephone the hotel by dialing (717) 561-2800, dial 0, and request a reservation under the PA Council of Professional Geologist's room block. Be sure to provide your check-in and check out dates. Or visit the hotel's PCPG Room block web page. Breakfast is not included. Confirm the cancellation policy with the hotel.

PCPG Memorial Fund Honoring Barbara J. Dunst, P.G., C.P.G. (December 31, 2027)

Fri, 31 Dec 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Barbara J. Dunst, P.G., C.P.G. Memorial Fund

Donate

Dear PCPG Community,

Barb passed away unexpectedly at Akron General Hospital on August 29, 2022.

PCPG extends its deepest condolences to her husband Brian, their four children, her professional colleagues at Musser Engineering, Inc., where she was employed as Senior Regional Director, and all in the geologic community who had the privilege and honor to know and work with Barb throughout her career.

With her husband’s support and guidance, PCPG plans to establish a memorial initiative honoring Barb’s boundless energy and passion both for PCPG, and geology.

A champion of PCPG’s mission, Barb was currently serving as Communications Committee co-chair and past president. She spent nearly a decade sharing her passion through service to PCPG. While winding down her term this year, she continued to be a dedicated participant preparing for PCPG’s November strategic planning session and recently delivered the Economic Geology-Mining component of the PCPG PG Review Course webinar series. Barb served two 3-year terms as an elected board member (2013-2018), five years as Membership Services chair (2014-2018), President Elect (2019), and two 1-year terms PCPG President (2020, 2021).

Barb will be dearly missed by the PCPG community and will be remembered in many ways, but perhaps most notably by our members as a friendly, well-respected Professional Geologist who was a continuous source of wonderful ideas – ideas that greatly strengthened and advanced our organization.

Donate

Certificate Replacement (January 01, 2028)

Sat, 01 Jan 2028 05:00:00 GMT

To order a replacement certificate for a previously attended PCPG event, please complete the order form and remit payment.

Replacement will occur only if attendee initialed the sign-in/sign-out sheet.

During busy periods, certificate replacement may take 7-10 days.

Questions? Contact Rose Jeffries by phoning (717) 730-9745.