Terra-Petra Founder Hugh Avery – The Godfather Of Methane

Terra-Petra Founder Hugh Avery – ``The Godfather Of Methane``

Enjoy another amazing sketch by Terra-Petra Vice President Justin Conaway this time of Terra-Petra’s own Hugh Avery.

Hugh Avery is the Founder of Terra-Petra, and now acts as Senior Consultant. He was the first methane gas inspector in Los Angeles and he is recognized for his extensive experience and knowledge of methane mitigation, regulation, permitting, construction design, and inspection.

Hugh found his passion for his work while learning the science and engineering behind the behavior of methane gas, and he entered the field at the very beginning, when the regulations and codes on gas mitigation were being written.

Read more about Hugh

To see more of Justin’s sketches, you can visit and follow his Instagram page @justinconawaysketches

A Tribute To John Conaway

A Tribute To John Conaway - Terra-Petra's Original Engineer

As a tribute to John Conaway, Terra-Petra’s original engineer, his son and Terra-Petra Vice President Justin Conaway drew this beautiful sketch seen here.  We’re proud to pay tribute to John’s legacy and his integral contributions to the success of our company.

To see more of Justin’s sketches, you can visit and follow his Instagram page @justinconawaysketches

Terra-Petra Receives 2023 Los Angeles Award For Environmental Engineering

Terra-Petra Receives 2023 Los Angeles Award For Environmental Engineering

LOS ANGELES December 5, 2023 — Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering has been selected for the 2023 Los Angeles Award in the Environmental Engineering category by the Los Angeles Award Program.  This is the 11th year in a row that Terra-Petra has received this honor.

Each year, the Los Angeles Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Los Angeles area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Los Angeles Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Los Angeles Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Los Angeles Award Program

The Los Angeles Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Los Angeles area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Los Angeles Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Award Program

Terra-Petra’s Justin Conaway Interviewed On Brownfield Braintrust Podcast with Matt Winefield

Terra-Petra's Justin Conaway Interviewed On Brownfield Braintrust Podcast with Matt Winefield

Terra-Petra Vice President and General Manager Justin Conaway was recently interviewed on the popular Brownfield Braintrust Podcast with Matt Winefield of Winefield & Associates.  On the podcast episode Justin and Matt discuss Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Systems (VIMS) and the state of the current environmental engineering industry and vapor intrusion.  Read more below, and watch/listen to the podcast.

In the current Brownfield Braintrust Podcast, Matt Winefield of Winefield & Associates, Inc. sheds light on Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Systems (VIMS) with the help of Justin Conaway, Vice President and General Manager of Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering. Given evolving soil vapor mitigation standards, VIMS are currently much more prevalent than just three years ago. It is unlikely one can acquire, for example, a former dry cleaner site (with PCE releases), run a vapor extraction system, and then pour your foundation. The lead agency will likely specify a VIMS that operates for the life of the new building. Justin explains the three most common VIMS technologies now utilized.

Listen to the audio only version of this podcast.

UPDATED Progress Photos – Methane Mitigation Design Los Angeles

Methane Mitigation Design & Inspection

More updated progress photos on this development in Los Angeles.  Terra-Petra provided methane mitigation design and methane inspection services for this project.

We’re very excited to be a part of this project and to see the progress as it moves forward towards completion.  Click any photo below to enlarge.

If your development project, building or home is in need of Terra-Petra’s methane services, whether it’s methane mitigation design, methane soil gas investigation, methane inspection, methane testing, methane monitoring or methane consulting then Terra-Petra is your top resource.

Contact us today to learn more.

Construction Progress Photos

Methane Mitigation Design & Inspection – Construction Progress Photos

Methane Mitigation Design & Inspection

Recent drone images show construction progress on this development in Los Angeles.  Terra-Petra provided methane mitigation design and methane inspection services for this project.

If your development project, building or home is in need of Terra-Petra’s methane services, whether it’s methane mitigation design, methane soil gas investigation, methane inspection, methane testing, methane monitoring or methane consulting then Terra-Petra is your top resource.

Contact us today to learn more.

Construction Progress Photos

Bay Area Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Design

Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering is providing environmental engineering services for the design of the vapor intrusion mitigation system (VIMS) for a development of affordable Senior Housing in downtown San Rafael, CA. The development consists of the construction of a new six-story building. The building footprint is approximately 14,000 SF.

The site served as a Manufactured Gas Plant prior to the proposed improvements. Site assessment work was completed at the site prior to Terra-Petra’s involvement. A Human Heath Risk Assessment (HHRA) and a Site Conceptual Model (SCM) were carried out to determine the potential risk exposure posed to future construction workers, future commercial occupants and future residential occupants of the building based on VOC’s at the site. It was determined that the calculated risks for all potential receptors were less than the bench marks set forth for the property. The bench marks for this site were HI = 1 and ILCR = 1E-6. Results of the evaluation suggest that soil vapor intrusion mitigation systems may not be required to protect future occupants on this parcel.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) was engaged to serve as the lead regulatory agency at the site. Terra-Petra was directed to design a VIMS system in compliance with DTSC’s published guidelines, which we are in the process of completing.

It will be up to the DTSC to determine if the submitted VIMS design package meets DTSC guidelines and the soil vapor mitigation system provides for adequate human health assurance per the terms of the Land Use Covenant (LUC). If so, the DTSC can formally approve this project. Terra-Petra is confident that our VIMS design will satisfy the mitigation requirements as we have a vast amount of experience designing such systems that have been reviewed/approved by the DTSC.

Aside from the design work, Terra-Petra will be assisting our client in soliciting bids form qualified and experienced vapor intrusion contractors in the Bay Area. We will also be reviewing submittal packages and providing support throughout the Construction Administration Phase of the project. Our inspection crew is slatted to inspect and document the installation of the system using our state of the art field reporting system.

Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Design & Installation – San Jose, CA

Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering is pleased to provide environmental engineering services for the design of the vapor intrusion mitigation system (VIMS) being proposed for a new affordable housing development in the Diridon Station Area in San Jose, CA.

The project consists of a multi-family residential building having 130 units with 5 stories above grade (no below grade elements). The lowest level will consist of parking with lobby, offices and a community room. The building footprint is approximately 23,400 SF on 1.02 acres.

The site where the proposed building is to be constructed did contain an Underground Storage Tank (UST) potentially containing PCE which was considered to be a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC). As such, soil vapor data was collected from the site during both wet and dry seasons approximately 9 months apart. The data showed that no on-Site sources of PCE have been identified at the Site. Further, no VOCs were detected at concentrations above residential DTSC-AF SLs for future buildings, and no further investigation, evaluation or consideration of exposures associated with VOCs in soil vapor is proposed. Additionally, no residential units were being proposed on the ground floor of the new development. However, the regulatory oversight agency for this site is still requiring that passive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System (VIMS) be designed and installed at this building.

Terra-Petra was engaged to design a pragmatic code compliant VIMS system that would take into consideration the lack of site-specific risk. As such, we were able to design a creative membrane system that limited the more protective mitigation measures to areas of higher residential occupancy/risk of exposure. These areas included the community room and elevator lobby. While areas of lower risk such as the trash enclosure rooms and parking garage we were able to design a system that would be protective of VI, but also reduce overall cost impacts on the project’s budget.

Terra-Petra will also be providing Construction Administration services and Construction Quality Assurance/Quality Control Services.

Terra-Petra is Proudly Recognized as an SBE – Small Business Enterprise

Terra-Petra is Proudly Recognized as an SBE – Small Business Enterprise

The SBE is a company-level diversity certification. Non-industry specific it is issued by a local or state government. Terra-Petra’s SBE certification is issued by the State of California.

Eligibility for certification as a Small Business Enterprise varies depending on the issuer. Requirements include the number of employees, the length of time the company has been in business and the net worth of the company’s owner.

In order for a small business to be eligible for certification, the small business must meet the following requirements in California:

  • Be independently owned and operated
  • Not dominant in the field of operation
  • The principal office must be located in California
  • Owners (officers, if a corporation) domiciled in California
  • A business with 100 or fewer employees; an average annual gross receipt of $15 million or less, over the last three tax years.
    • A small business will automatically be designated as a microbusiness, if gross annual receipts are less than $3,500,000; or the small business is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees.

Upon meeting the Small Business Certification eligibility requirements, certified small business (SBs) and microbusinesses (MBs) are entitled to the following benefits:

  • A five percent (5%) bid preference on applicable State solicitations.
  • Certified small business/microbusinesses are eligible for the State’s Small Business Participation Program. This program sets a goal for the use of small businesses in at least 25% of the State’s overall annual contract dollars.
  • Under the Prompt Payment Act, the State must pay a certified SB / MB higher interest penalty for late payment of an undisputed invoice. Prompt payment penalties for construction firms are addressed separately under Public Contract Code, Section 10261.5.
  • State agencies may use a streamlined process, known as the SB/DVBE Option, by contracting directly with a California certified small business/microbusiness for goods, services, information technology and Public Works projects. The solicitation must be valued at more than $5,000 and the State agency must obtain price quotes from at least two California certified small business/microbusiness.
  • The DGS-PD charges state and local agencies an administrative fee, when contracting with a California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) vendor. As an incentive, the fee is waived, if the CMAS vendor is a certified small business/microbusiness.

Terra-Petra maintains a working knowledge of numerous environmental and soil gas mitigation matters. Our staff includes Methane Consultants, Radon Mitigation Engineers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineers, Registered Environmental Assessors, Registered Geologist/Certified Engineering Geologist, Petroleum Geologists and Petroleum Engineers. This experience gives Terra-Petra the ability to find compromise solutions for any environmental concern that may arise.

Terra-Petra offers on-call consulting services in the City of Los Angeles. We are available to do the work or make official visits at any time as needed.

Contact us today at 1.888.540.5703 or info@terra-petra.com.

Terra-Petra Recognized as Small Business Enterprise in CA

The Small Business Enterprise or SBE is a company-level diversity certification. Non-industry specific, it is issued by a local or state government. Terra-Petra’s SBE certification is issued by the State of California.

Eligibility for certification as a Small Business Enterprise varies depending on the issuer. Requirements include the number of employees, the length of time the company has been in business, and the net worth of the company’s owner.

In order for a small business to be eligible for certification, the small business must meet the following requirements in California:

  • Be independently owned and operated
  • Not dominant in the field of operation
  • The principal office must be located in California
  • Owners (officers, if a corporation) domiciled in California
  • A business with 100 or fewer employees; an average annual gross receipt of $15 million or less, over the last three tax years.
    • A small business will automatically be designated as a microbusiness if gross annual receipts are less than $3,500,000, or the small business is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees.

Upon meeting the Small Business Certification eligibility requirements, certified small business (SBs) and microbusinesses (MBs) are entitled to the following benefits:

  • A five percent (5%) bid preference on applicable State solicitations.
  • Certified small business/microbusinesses are eligible for the State’s Small Business Participation Program. This program sets a goal for the use of small businesses in at least 25% of the State’s overall annual contract dollars.
  • Under the Prompt Payment Act, the State must pay a certified SB / MB higher interest penalty for late payment of an undisputed invoice. Prompt payment penalties for construction firms are addressed separately under Public Contract Code, Section 10261.5.
  • State agencies may use a streamlined process, known as the SB/DVBE Option, by contracting directly with a California-certified small business/microbusiness for goods, services, information technology, and Public Works projects. The solicitation must be valued at more than $5,000 and the State agency must obtain price quotes from at least two California-certified small business/microbusiness.
  • The DGS-PD charges state and local agencies an administrative fee when contracting with a California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) vendor. As an incentive, the fee is waived, if the CMAS vendor is a certified small business/microbusiness.

Terra-Petra has been in the environmental engineering industry for over 20 years, with many successful projects to lean on. The company started its operations focusing on the Los Angeles market to address the local “methane concerns” which quickly became a big issue. Our in-house experts were a big part of the team that developed the local Los Angeles Methane Code.

Terra-Petra continues to maintain a working knowledge of numerous environmental and soil gas mitigation matters. Our staff now also includes Methane Consultants, Radon Mitigation Engineers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineers, Registered Environmental Assessors, Registered Geologist/Certified Engineering Geologist, Petroleum Geologists, and Petroleum Engineers. This experience gives Terra-Petra the ability to find compromise solutions for any environmental concern that may arise.

In order to meet client demands, Terra-Petra took the position of being an industry leader by developing creative solutions to fit the variety of conditions the states they serve are faced with. Developing innovative solutions meant working with key suppliers, and contractors, as well as leveraging relationships within the respective agency involved. Terra-Petra’s innovative solutions have included the introduction of new materials into the market, as well as new system installation methods.

The Terra-Petra team enters every project with a “safety first” mindset and philosophy. Having undergone extensive safety training programs to include the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Emergency Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, we are proud to say that we work with zero injuries in the field.

Terra-Petra’s Management Philosophy approach is very simple: “Make every client’s life easier.”

Terra-Petra offers on-call consulting services in the City of Los Angeles and throughout California. We are available to do the work or make official visits at any time as needed.

Contact us today to arrange for a time to meet with our management team: 1.888.540.5703 or info@terra-petra.com.

1 2 3 7