(August 6, 2026 @ 6pm ET) 40 Minutes of Competence PA Study Session: Problem Solving - An Expert’s Process for Answering ARE Questions

Join us for our interactive quiz-style 40 Minutes of Competence, where you'll compete against one of our team members to see who can answer the most ARE questions correctly. You may come away with helpful insights about these exams whether your answers are right or wrong.

These study sessions are free and open to all, not just Amber Book subscribers, so join us this Thursday at 6pm ET: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83922907346

You’ll take the first five minutes of class to answer this week's question alone, but if you would like to get a head-start on that, here is the assignment:

The owner of a site is planning a new condominium building. The owner has provided the architect with a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The report indicates that the site was formerly occupied by a dry-cleaning facility and flags the prior use as a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), citing the likely historical use of chlorinated solvents.

What is the most appropriate next step?

 

A. ‎Proceed with schematic design since the Phase I is based on records and observation, not physical testing

B. Proceed with schematic design while a Phase II ESA is conducted, with a remediation contingency in the budget

C. Proceed with schematic design, planning to encapsulate the contaminated soil below the new slab

D. Recommend the owner commission a Phase II ESA before finalizing building configuration and foundation strategy