TRACK A: Utility Regs, Permits & Compliance
ACCEPTING ABSTRACTS IN : Utility, Policy, Strategies & Management, Electric Utility Challenges, ACE, EPA Rules, SO2, NOx, O3, NESHAP, Turbines, CT, NSR, MACT, ACE, NEPA, Regional Haze, Visibility & Utilities, Energy Policy, PFAS, CAQS, RE, Environmental Sustainability
Angelos Kokkinos
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal and Carbon Management, Office of Fossil Energy
A1.1 DOE’s Program on Carbon Capture & Storage
A1.3 TBD
Angelos Kokkinos – U.S. Department of Energy
“An Update on the Department of Energy’s Program on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage from Power Generating, Industrial Sites, and Direct Air Capture”
Abstract: Over the past two decades the Department of Energy has been working in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. These efforts have resulted in the development of technologies, engineering tools, subterranean mapping of the US for suitable storage sites and large scale demonstrations that have shown reduction of these emissions is possible. We are at a point now that we need to accelerate the deployment of these technologies throughout our energy and industrial sector, increase the capture rates of these gases and deploying technologies that result in negative emissions. A summary of our latest efforts and our program’s goals going forward will be presented.
Angelos Kokkinos, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Clean Coal & Carbon Management, Office of Fossil Energy
A1.2 The Transformation of Utilities
ELECTRIC UTILITY IMPACTS
With the future being driven by a changing climate, cyber threats and the digitization of everything, utilities must transform. This is because the electric grid was built for a different purpose than what we need today. During this presentation, Terry will focus on what utilities should be doing now to be prepared for tomorrow and how ComEd has done this through innovation and smart investments.
QUESTIONS
1. How have smart grid investments impacted ComEd’s customer costs and electric reliability?
2. What is the greatest challenge ComEd has faced as the utility has worked to modernize the grid?
3. Looking to the future, what additional improvements is ComEd planning to make to the grid?
A1.3 EPA Power Sector Update
A1.2 EPA Power Sector Update
This presentation will provide an overview of EPA’s current rulemaking efforts that affect the power sector, including the Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update, slated for finalization in mid-March 2021. The presentation will also provide updated information on recent EGU emissions trends and an update on developments in EPA’s modeling capabilities and tools to help sources comply with our regulations, access our data and understand and inform our analyses.
QUESTIONS
1. How have emissions changed in the power sector since 1995?
2. What resources does EPA provide to the public and stakeholders to understand emissions trends?
3. What’s the status of EPA’s effort to update its emissions monitoring and allowance software programs?
A1.4 The Transitioning Electric Power Sector
A1.5 The Transitioning Electric Power Sector
John Kinsman – Edison Electric Institute
This presentation will overview the many factors influencing the transitioning electric power sector, including clean air issues at the federal and state level (environmental policies and regulations, legislation and judicial decisions), evolving power generation sources and technology advances, fuels issues, energy efficiency, electrification, permitting, and more.
A1.6
A1.6 Air Regulatory Challenges Facing the Nation's Electric Cooperatives
Daniel Chartier – USWAG
This session will provide a timely update on the perspectives of not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives on current air regulatory developments including NRECA’s active engagement in the ongoing efforts to implement the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule and development of a new document, Guidance on Implementing the Affordable Clean Energy Rule: Engineering, Operations and Compliance Considerations.
MODERATOR
Prabhu Dayal is Chairman of EUEC, the 24th Annual, Energy Utility Environment Conference and Expo.
EXPERIENCE:
Tucson Electric Power Company, Director of Corporate Environmental Compliance for 15 years.
El Paso Natural Gas Company, Senior Environmental Engineer for 7 years.
CTrade, Founder and CEO, an international waste-to-energy company with nine renewable energy projects developed in Philippines, and India. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in Cebu Philippines received 60,000 CERs per year (Certified Emission Credits) under Kyoto Protocol for converting waste animal manure to organic fertilizer, biogas and electricity.
EDUCATION:
PhD, Soil, Water & Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
MS, Civil Engineering, University of Texas, El Paso, Texas.
MS, Management Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey.
A2.2 Environmental Hurdles Associated with Development of US Green Hydrogen Infrastructure Elements
A2.3 Environmental Hurdles Associated with Development of US Green Hydrogen Infrastructure Elements
Brian Petermann – Power Engineers
Green Hydrogen is shaping up to be a key building block for substantial GHG reduction efforts world-wide despite some of the technical and economic challenges at this point. Though the “Green” name was assigned as a result of its 100% renewable source of electricity to produce hydrogen, there will also be environmental approval hurdles associated with the development of a Green Hydrogen Infrastructure in the US. This infrastructure is far-reaching and includes water use, hydraulic salt mining, water, hydrogen, and natural gas pipelines, transmission lines, and hydrogen production and power generation facilities. This Session will cover identification of the major Green Hydrogen Infrastructure elements, environmental hurdles with their development, and strategies which may be appropriate to address these before a project’s infrastructure train leaves the station.
A2.3 Decommissioning & Demolition for Power Plants
A2.4 Planning and Implementation of Decommissioning & Demolition for Power Plants
Jeff Pope – Burns McDonnell
With the impending closure of fossil fuel-fired power plants around the country due to cheaper natural gas and environmental regulations, utilities are planning for decommissioning & demolition (D&D) of these plants. The D&D process presents a unique challenge to utilities to conduct the work safely, minimizing cost and concluding with a potentially reusable site.
Planning and implementation of the D&D of these facilities requires upfront planning and coordination with utilities’ operations, environmental, security, safety, management and other stakeholders to successfully complete the project. Upfront identification of permitting issues involving waste disposal, working within a floodplain, demolition permitting, asbestos abatement and isolation of common services at the plant prior to demolition is imperative to manage project expectations and minimize change orders due to technical requirements of any required permits.
This presentation provides a description of some of the key items required to plan and implement D&D process. Several recent project examples will be summarized identifying the actual activities undertaken and the resulting lessons learned.
A2.4 The Role For Natural Gas Utilities In A Clean Energy Future
A2.4 The Role For Natural Gas Utilities In A Clean Energy Future
Sapna Gheewala – AGA
The presentation will address a pathway forward for natural gas, which maximizes environmental benefits and supports renewable resources to realize emissions reductions in a low carbon future. Energy efficiency, RNG, and Hydrogen are featured tools to leverage our existing infrastructure into the future of net-zero emissions.
A2.6 Equity and Environmental Justice Meets Transmission Routing
A2.6 Equity and Environmental Justice Meets Transmission Routing
James Shapard – HDR
In recent months Equity and Environmental Justice has become a topic of increasing conversations. The recent Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) has increased discussion as projects compete for money. Power projects involving Routing transmission lines and Siting of power facilities, is in many cases controversial from the public viewpoint. The presentation will provide an overview of Environmental Justice, the IIJA and potential avenues of improvements related to transmission route and site selection.
A3.5 A Look at the Biden EPA’s Source Specific Determinations: Trends
A3.5 A Look at the Biden EPA's Source Specific Determinations: Trends
Eric Hiser – Jordan Hiser & Joy, P.L.C.
While EPA’s large rulemakings such as the Clean Power Plan/Affordable Clean Energy and Interstate Transport FIP get much attention, EPA’s New Source Review (NSR) program plays an important role in determining what changes and modifications a facility can make and what the pollution control or enforcement consequences may be of various decisions. This presentation will review recent EPA NSR source-specific determinations in both the permitting and enforcement areas to evaluate trends under the Biden Administration to assist participants in understanding the evolving risks during a period of profound transition in the U.S. energy economy.
A1.5 Air Regulatory Challenges Facing the Nation’s Electric Cooperatives
A2.1
A3.6 President Biden and the House Ways and Means Committee: Incoming Tax Changes!
A3.6 President Biden and the House Ways and Means Committee: Incoming Tax Changes!
Roman Basi – The Center for Financial, Legal, & Tax Planning, INC.
There’s a new President in the White House and with the new President, there will
most assuredly be a new tax regime. The House Ways and Means Committee is
working on a tax overhaul looking to establish radical changes to our tax code. The
changes address “two core goals” of Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda: not raising
taxes on Americans making under $400,000 and reversing parts of former
President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Take Tax Shelter……. Kang and Kodos are back! From alien-like changes in 2017
to actual existence in 2022, our current Tax Code is going to change radically in
the next year. Instead of a corporate tax rate of 21%, we may see it as high as 26.5%.
Capital gains tax is also set to increase! The top capital gains rate will increase
from 20% to 25%. With the Net Investment Tax (3.8%) added, the capital gains rate
will max out at 28.8%. Not only will the Tax Code change with this administration,
but it also has with every administration in the past. We will look at important
historical changes as well and the effect they still have today.
A4.3
A5.1 Race to the Finish! Second Decadal Review for the Regional Haze Rule
Activities involved with the second decadal review for the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) will be result in new State Implementation Plans (SIPs) this summer. By the time of this presentation, each state will likely have conducted the following activities:
a) they determined which sources need to conduct a 4-factor analysis to determine candidate emission controls;
b) they reviewed the 4-factor analyses (possibly with Federal Land Manager review) and worked with the sources involved to finalize these analyses;
c) they proposed the emission controls needed to fulfill the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule; and
d) they drafted their SIPs and provided those for public comment and review.
This presentation will provide advice to affected emission sources regarding how to comment on the draft SIPs. Photochemical grid modeling to determine the expected visibility benefits of candidate control options will be important. Although the modeling alone cannot be used to disqualify control options, it can be used in conjunction with the projected cost to inform the states regarding the cost-benefit effectiveness. Also, the affected sources should review the state’s activities with regard to adjustments to the natural conditions endpoint to assure that this very important endpoint is more realistic than the original endpoint used in the first decadal review.
QUESTIONS
1. What is different about the Second Decadal Review vs. the first one?
Answer: There are some good and bad changes. The good changes are adoption of lessons learned from the first review. They are a) acknowledging that some haze is uncontrollable (e.g., naturally-caused by wildfires and internationally-caused haze); b) a correction in the glide path is needed to accommodate the international haze; c) new modeling tools will help to mitigate conservative features of the tools used earlier; and d) states have more deference in their decision making. One unfortunate change is the omission of a visibility benefit as a mandatory review factor in the decision-making process.
2. What is the role of states for this review?
Answer: The states are given more deference by the 2019 RHR guidance compared to the first decadal review. This remains to be seen with the Biden EPA. Each state may change the URP to natural conditions, and may use different metrics for determining which sources to control.
3. What is the role of visibility modeling?
Answer: Photochemical grid modeling can be used to inform states about the visibility impacts of various sources, as well as revised glidepath goals. Once all states select potential additional controls, modeling can be used to inform the projected haze levels in 2028 relative to URP goals.
A4.4 Regional Haze is Getting Clearer
A5.2 Regional Haze is Getting Clearer
Jeremy Jewell – Trinity Consultants
A look at the status of the regional haze program second planning period implementation plans, and comments on those plans from EPA, federal land managers, and other interested parties.
A4.6 Advances in Regulatory Air Quality Modeling
A5.4 Advances in Regulatory Air Quality Modeling
Gale Hoffnagle – TRC
The presentation will review the changes and advances that EPA and others have made during the last few years. It will address ozone and PM2.5 modeling, ambient air policy , changes to the models and more.
A5.1 Streamlining the CAA – How it can Help the New Administration
A6.2 Streamlining the CAA - How it can Help the New Administration with its Regulatory Agenda
William Smalling – The Law Offices of William Smalling
• President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 directed agencies to examine dozens of Trump-era rules, including carbon emissions, clean air rollbacks, and Clean Air Act rules on science and costs.
• Any bold standards Biden has in mind to stem emissions from industry through the Clean Air Act will almost certainly get challenged in court.
• The cycle of rulemakings followed by years-long lawsuits is a signal that the Clean Air Act needs to be amended to give the President more direct authority.
• President Biden may have to choose between innovative actions or traditional “nuts and bolts” regulation under the statute in order to avoid defeat in a conservative Supreme Court skeptical of broad EPA powers.
• Likely a lot harder to do more flexible, ambitious and innovative programs under these older laws because a conservative SCOTUS may be predisposed to overrule such programs.
• This proposal advances an alternate solution of simplification and modernization of the CAA.
• The current CAA is a virtual field of landmines set to disrupt new, more flexible, ambitious and innovative programs.
• The complexity of the 1970, 1977 and 1990 versions of the CAA make challenge of new control programs easy.
The current watch list of air issues on Biden’s agenda are:
• Power Plant Carbon Rules
• Clean Air Act Analysis
• ‘Once In, Always In’
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Methane
QUESTIONS
1. Will the “New” CAA reduce the amount of pollution controlled?
Answer: No. Emission reductions have averaged nationwide about 1.5% per year since the 1970 CAA. Additionally, GHGs emission controls are being added to the “New” CAA.
2. Will the “New” CAA reduce red tape?
Answer: Yes.
3. Will the “New” CAA reduce jobs in the “Environmental” Professions.
Answer: Possibly, but job growth in other professions will more than offset any Environmental Profession reductions.
A5.3 Managing Permitting Risks in Carbon Capture and Sequestration Projects
A6.4 Managing Permitting Risks in Carbon Capture and Sequestration Projects
Matthew Dobbins – Vinson & Elkins
Despite promulgating rules for carbon capture and sequestration facilities in 2010, only a handful of states have obtained primacy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to issue Class VI permit’s under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control Program. EPA as the permitting authority raises a number of permitting risks, from delays to additional opportunities for third parties to challenge permits. EPA as the permitting authority also the potential to trigger additional federal environmental reviews that otherwise would not be required if the state agency issued the permit. Moreover, even with several states (e.g., Wyoming, North Dakota) obtaining primacy, the differing approaches taken by these states raise potential permitting risks and project constraints. This presentation will navigate the various federal and state permitting issues that can arise when developing CCS facilities, and identify opportunities to decrease regulatory risks and spur project development.
A5.4 NSR Issues and Recent Developments
A7.1 NSR Issues and Recent Developments
Gurinder Saini – RTP
New Source Review (NSR) is one of the most contentious Clean Air Act program and has been subject of several recent developments. These developments include administration changes that affected or will affect program elements and court challenges. In addition, there are efforts at State level to address program implementation. NSR permitting (which includes nonattainment major NSR permitting, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting, and minor NSR permitting) continues to be affected by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy and court decisions regarding implementation of the programs, and other issues. With the new administration, several major NSR policy shifts are likely to come into the picture. I plan to discuss major developments in NSR, point out ways that facility operations could be affected by these developments, indicate what lay ahead, and identify issues that remain unsettled.
A5.5 Use of AI and Satellites for smart utility mapping
A7.1 Use of AI and Satellites for smart utility mapping
Ophir Wainer – 4M Analytics
A look at the future and what is around the corner:
The technological abilities of AI to interpret and learn and the vast amount of data available has led to possibilities of raising the bar for Utility Damage prevention and Utility Engineering evolution. A in depth description the problem of antiquated utility mapping data, methods & consequences, while technology & solutions of using Satellite based mapping and AI to provide a quick and efficient method of Mapping Subsurface Utility infrastructure with the AI application system as well as command and control of construction interaction with existing utilities through damage prevention AI application.
Merging these technologies with current best practices SUE, One Call, and Asset management are the key to evolve and thrive.
A6.5 Issues, Trends and Treatment Alternatives of Environmental Liability Associated with PFAS
A8.2 Issues, Trends and Treatment Alternatives of Environmental Liability Associated with PFAS
Fred Olivari – EA Engineering
. In response to increased public awareness of the potential threat PFAS in drinking water supplies pose to humans, more than 15 state regulatory agencies have published PFAS criteria for environmental media. EA will make a presentation that will highlight some of these challenges faced by those impacted by contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]), and discuss how we are working with our clients to address them. We will review best practices as well as emerging trends and tier anticipated impact.
The presentation will:
• Summarize the current and anticipated future applicable state and Federal PFAS regulations and requirements.
• Define best practices and ways to identify PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Risk and select remedial actions at railroad facilities and properties.
• Provide an overview of recent high-profile PFAS liabilities nationwide and how this could set precedent for future regulatory enforcement or litigation in the utility industry.
• Provide a brief overview of the PFAS Inventory/Prioritization process and how it could be tailored to provide risk-mitigation to the rail industry.
A6.1 Environmental Justice Considerations in the Transition to Natural Gas and Renewables Energy
A7.1 Environmental Justice Considerations in the Transition to Natural Gas and Renewables Energy
Melvin Stroble – EA Engineering
Electric power generation has always had a disproportionately adverse impact on low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. According to the Energy Justice Network, sixty-eight percent of African-Americans live within thirty miles of a coal-burning power plant. As the transition to natural gas and renewable resources for electric power generation steadily grows, it will be beneficial to integrate environmental justice into siting options for solar, wind, and biomass and natural gas pipelines. Also, environmental justice considerations should be given to electric transmission resiliency planning. The presentation will discuss environmental justice regulations, and considerations that would be beneficial in the transition from coal- to natural gas-fired generation and renewable energy.
A6.3 Using Technology to Streamline Regulatory Compliance Reporting for Linear Construction Projects
A8.1 Using Technology to Streamline Regulatory Compliance Reporting for Linear Construction Projects
Jeff Erramouspe – Wildnote
In this presentation we’ll be showing your audience the ways that available environmental compliance reporting technology is being harnessed to dramatically improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of linear construction monitoring and compliance reporting. We’ll talk about the outcomes that different stakeholders care about in terms of environmental regulation and how automation delivers the ability to leverage field data to instantly provide the specific information that a stakeholder demands in the form they require. For instance: The public might care about protecting the environment, a utility might care about protecting their assets and the ability to operate without interruption, while regulators might care about enforcement and fulfilling their obligation to the law. We’ll look through lens of a case study of an environmental consulting firm that is delivering reports 80% faster to their utility client.
A6.2 Environmental Permitting and Siting Considerations for Utility-Scale Renewable Development
A7.1 Environmental Permitting and Siting Considerations for Utility-Scale Renewable Development
Tom Furgason – Olsson
While a number of factors contribute to successful development of a renewable project, few factors are as critical as having a proven and effective strategy for site selection. This presentation will demonstrate how a successful strategy for project siting can strengthen the financial position of the project while avoiding or limiting resistance to the project. The presentation will explain how to identify and understand key project parameters, avoid environmental constraints, and mitigate risk through project visualization and stakeholder communication. The presentation will also address the importance of identifying state and local permit requirements and understanding local stakeholder considerations. Finally, the presentation will demonstrate the importance of using a cross-functional team of environmental scientists; geotechnical structural, transmission and distribution and civil engineers; land acquisition experts; construction managers; and community outreach professionals. Lessons learned from successful project execution will also be shared.
A6.4 Environmental Justice Initiatives and Risk Assessment: Consideration for Utilities
A6.4 Environmental Justice Initiatives and Risk Assessment: Consideration for Utilities
Ari Lewis Gradient
The Biden administration is dedicating significant resources to addressing Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns, which will involve consideration of EJ issues in federal rulemaking and permitting, increased enforcement activities, and investment in research. This presentation provides an introduction to EJ initiatives including existing and planned mapping tools that are be used to support the identification of communities with EJ concerns, as well as risk assessment approaches that will be used to inform regulations. While the developing EJ activities will crosscut industries, this presentation will focus on the intersection between EJ and utility-related environmental issues.
OPEN SLOT
AVAILABLE SPOT
Normally when the steam based plants were designed , they have efficiency of 41-42%. However, after few years of operation, the annual efficiencies of some 20-30 year old plants falls in the range of 30-37% depending upon how good the operation and maintenance is done by the asset owners. The drop in efficiency and increase in maintenance cost causes enormous financial burden to the extent that the plants are forced to retire even prematurely. We present here a case study of 2×300 MWe wherein when the assets are managed effectively, the power plant can continue to operate and generate revenue for the asset owners.
A3.2 SO2 Data Requirements Rule: It’s Not Over Yet
A3.4 The SO2 Data Requirements Rule: It's Not Over Yet
George Schewe – Trinity Consultants
Most initial attainment versus nonattainment designations for the 1-hour SO2 NAAQS have been completed. However, the SO2 Data Requirements Rule (DRR) also includes lesser known ongoing requirements. For areas in which AERMOD modeling served as the basis for initial designations, an annual requirement to report annual actual SO2 emissions for each source is included for reviewing agencies. Based on changes to actual emissions reported by sources, EPA could require re-modeling of an area. This presentation will provide a summary of these ongoing requirements and a discussion of the potential implications for sources previously included in DRR modeling analyses.
A4.5 Environmental Permitting for Upgrading and Supplying RNG
A5.3 Environmental Permitting for Upgrading and Supplying RNG
Teresa Kinder – BARR
Renewable natural gas (RNG) projects are growing at unprecedented levels. Biogas is collected and upgraded from wastewater treatment plants, landfills, agriculture, and food processing facilities; however, each process provides unique challenges from an environmental permitting perspective. Planning for environmental permitting is a critical task early in the project timeline. Permitting requirements will affect the timeline to bring RNG to market. Strategically working through your environmental permits will result in more operational flexibility. This presentation will walk through environmental permitting options and lessons learned to optimize your RNG project.
Co-Author: Teresa Kinder, Barr Engineering
A4.1 Complying with New CEQ Regulations Using a Modified NEPA Approach
A4.4 Complying with the New CEQ Regulations Using a Modified NEPA Approach
Brian Buck – Stantec
Conducting an EIS review for a power project is often affected by chronic problems with the EIS process that can result in significant delays. The reasons for these problems are inherent in the typical workflow of an EIS project. In its revised NEPA regulations, promulgated on July 15, 2020, the Council of Environmental Quality has required shortened timeframes for EIS projects and more concise documents. Other changes in the CEQ rules enhance the ability to conduct EISs more efficiently. In this presentation the author describes a modified approach for conducting future EISs that provides solutions for the chronic problems with the EIS process and enables compliance with the new CEQ requirements.
A5.2 California Air Quality Regulations in2021: What You Need to Know
A6.3 California Air Quality Regulations in 2021: What You Need to Know
James Westbrook – Bluescape
BlueScape will present a 2021 update to companies doing business in California, on how changing air quality regulations will impact their business. The presentation will provide the California air regulatory update by agency jurisdiction (federal EPA, state, and local), program area, and by selected regions and industries. Corporate and facility environmental managers, attorneys, pollution equipment vendors, and consultants will benefit from understanding what regulatory developments have occured in 2020, and will learn about what is coming to be prepared for 2021.
A3.3 Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Trends
A3.5 Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Trends
Jayne Piepenburg – CEE
This session will reveal changes in the overall energy efficiency industry in the United States over the past ten years (2010-2019) based on data from over 300 utilities and other efficiency program administrators operating in all 50 states, the District of Colombia, and nine Canadian provinces. This year marks the Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s (CEE’s) fifteenth consecutive data collection effort capturing efficiency budgets, expenditures, and impacts to enable assessment of overall energy trends. The talk will highlight findings from the ‘2020 State of the Efficiency Program Industry Report’, which presents data on natural gas and electric ratepayer-funded efficiency and conservation programs. This is a companion presentation to the talk from project collaborator Sapna Gheewala of the American Gas Association (AGA) on natural gas efficiency trends.
Co-Author: Sapna Gheewala, American Gas Association (AGA)
QUESTIONS
1. How has spending on energy efficiency and demand response programs changed over the past ten years?
2. Are there regional or sector-based trends in energy efficiency and demand response program spending and impact?
3. How are US electric utility programs changing and adapting to changing program goals and circumstances?
A3.1 Renewable Energy Solutions to Reach Business and Sustainability Goals
A3.3 Integrating Renewable Energy Solutions to Reach Business and Sustainability Goals
Ben Chadwick – Constellation
As renewable forms of energy production, like solar, become more widespread and accessible, customers are increasingly exploring these options for their energy mix and implementing sustainability standards that meet energy demands with little environmental impact. However, resource limitations such as financing and/or physical space often impede progress or halt it altogether.
With expertise in the strategic integration of innovative and sustainable energy solutions, Ben Chadwick, Executive Director of Renewables Origination at Constellation, can provide insight on the importance of adopting renewable offerings that meet sustainability benchmarks and sourcing alternative pathways while working around resource constraints.
Ben can share best practices for incorporating renewable solutions in commercial and industrial spaces that reduce overall costs, create price stability, provide resiliency and reduce carbon emissions. Based on his vast experience with renewable projects, Ben can detail how specific, customizable energy solutions can be incorporated through clear, easy-to-implement programs, and how these offerings are addressing changes within the energy industry at large.
QUESTIONS
1. What projects or initiatives is Constellation working on that exemplify the business case for integrating renewable solutions?
2. What trends are you seeing from customers around sustainability? How do you see renewables impacting the energy industry in the next five years?
3. What would you recommend professionals convey to their organizations on the value of adopting renewable solutions?
A2.5 Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Startup Emissions
A2.5 Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Startup Emissions
Jordan Haywood – Siemens Energy
GT combined cycle (CC) SU emissions have been categorized as ‘Cold’, ‘Warm’, and ‘Hot’, based on the number of hours since the previous shutdown, and the steam turbine rotor and/or inlet temperatures. However in reality, these categories have proven themselves to be fluid, vague and quite frankly, the wrong way to qualify CC SU emissions. Based on operational data from several large-frame (e.g. ‘F’ and ‘H’ GT), Siemens is promoting a more logical approach, based on oxidation (aka ‘CO’) and SCR catalyst temperatures, which are the true differentiators between startup types. We will present data supporting the going-forward methodology of quantifying GT CC SU as either ‘Cold’ or ‘Non-Cold’, defining each, as well as permitting strategies when estimating emissions for regulatory agencies.
A3.4
A4.5 Changes to FERC Under New Administration
Invited – Troutman Sanders
The change in administration has resulted in the appointment of Democrat Richard Glick to be chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Chairman Glick has been a strong proponent of a more robust greenhouse gas and environmental justice review process in new gas transmission pipeline approvals. With President Biden expected to appoint a Democrat in July, FERC could make sweeping policy changes with respect to environmental justice and climate change. This presentation will review the potential environmental justice and climate change policy revisions at FERC, and discuss the potential implications for industry.
A4.2 No More Surprises Please! – Determining EHS Performance in 2021
A6.1 No More Surprises Please! - Determining EHS Performance in 2021
Peter Bridle – Pegasus
For many years, EHS performance has been determined by outputs and results. In particular, organizations have extensively relied on the use of injury metrics like the Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) to measure overall EHS performance.
Such metrics however, have significant drawbacks and limitations – often being exaggerated within low injury rate environment (e.g. TRIR < 1.5). But without a sufficiently accurate and reliable picture of performance, operating cultures can show signs of complacency and develop a false sense of security. It is not surprising then, that many organizations are completely caught off-guard when serious unplanned events continue to occur.
To compound the problem, organizations can maintain a limited field of view regarding the underlying causes of such unplanned events and despite steps being taken that may involve disciplining individuals (“A Few Rotten Apples”), such measures often add little meaningful value. Why? Because organizations fail to recognize that such things are typically symptoms of much wider organizational challenges resulting from a “casual-compliant” operating culture.
This presentation illustrates that to be able to reasonable predict future EHS performance and in turn the cost of doing business, organizations must begin to rely less on outputs and results and begin to determine compliance levels related to high-risk actions and behaviors.
QUESTIONS
1. Why do so many organizations continue to use injury metrics to determine overall performance when clearly they do not provide the whole picture?
2. Do organizations always know what their higher risk work activities are?
3. When organizations begin to better recognize the underlying causes for non-compliant actions and behaviors, are they surprised that so many are linked to the overall operating culture rather than individual errors or violations?
A2.1 Utility Adaptation in a Post-mitigation Environment
A2.2 Utility Level Adaptation in a Post-mitigation Environment
Jesse Frederick – WZI
The answer to the policy question “adaptation vs. mitigation” is complex and best framed by the challenges and outcomes associated with each policy action. The move to a federally driven ACE-based framework reflects a return from market driven tools and impact mitigation to the long history of command and control to balance societal needs and cost-effective adaptation at the utility level. This presentation provides: an overview of the issues of mitigation and adaptation, a historic perspective of the evolution of policy in the context of the trend in policy migration from adaptative measures to the aggressive focus on mitigation of utility-related impacts, selected historic policy-level adaptation measures used to meet previous challenges that were managed and a discussion of the emerging challenges and the application of the historic suite of measures. Lastly, this presentation considers the unique issue of sustainability of California’s management of utility-scale measures framed against the federal change in intent, particularly in the context of California industrial rate base erosion.
EUEC 2019
EUEC 2018
EUEC 2017