United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Office of Air and
Radiation (6202J)
EPA430-F-000-19
March 2002
SF6 Emissions Reduction
Partnership for Electric
Power Systems:
An Opportunity for Industry
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What is SF6?
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a synthetic gas
used as an insulating medium in the electric
power industry. SF6 is also used as a cover
gas in the magnesium industry, for plasma
etching in semiconductor manufacturing,
as a reactive gas in aluminum recycling to
reduce porosity, as thermal and sound
insulation, and in atmospheric tracer studies
and medical applications.
Southern Company is happy to be working
with EPA in this voluntary partnership to
track our SFe usage and doing our part to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is
an excellent example of how industry and
government can work together to address
an issue in a way that's in the best interest
of society. Southern Company has been
reducing SF6 emissions for several years,
and the opportunity to take part in this
joint effort reaffirmed our belief that we
were headed in the right direction and
identified various ways in which we could
improve upon our management ofSFe.
Charles Goodman
Senior Vice President, Research
and Environmental Affairs
Southern Company
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An Effective
Insulator
The most common use for SFg, both
domestically and internationally, is
as an electrical insulator in equip-
ment that transmits and distributes
electricity. Since the 1950s, the U.S.
electric power industry has used
SFg because of its dielectric strength
and arc-quenching characteristics.
SFg is used widely in gas-insulated
substations, circuit breakers, and
other switchgear.
A Potent
Greenhouse Gas
is also a highly potent greenhouse
gas. Over a 100-year period, SFg is
23,900 times more effective at trap-
ping infrared radiation than an
equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.
With an atmospheric lifetime of
3,200 years, SFg is also a very stable
chemical. Because of its long
lifespan and high potency, even a
relatively small amount of SFg can
have a significant impact on global
climate change.
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Challenge
The electric power industry uses a significant
percentage of the SFg produced worldwide each
year. Under ideal operating conditions, SFg would
remain entirely contained within the transmission
and distribution equipment. However, during
real-world equipment operation, maintenance,
and SFg recycling activities, gas is emitted into
the atmosphere. Fugitive emissions of SFg can
escape from gas-insulated substations and
switchgear through seals, especially from older
equipment. It can also be released during
equipment installation and when equipment is
opened for servicing. In 1998, U.S. emissions
of SFgwere estimated at 10 million metric tons of
carbon equivalent (MMTCE). A significant per-
centage of these emissions are attributable to
the electric power industry.
Recognizing our environmental and natural
resource stewardship responsibility, we are pleased
to be among the first electric utilities to join EPA's
SFe Emissions Reduction Partnership for Electric
Power Systems. Being a publicly owned utility, we
feel especially responsible to set a leadership
example through active corporate citizenship.
Thomas W. Richards, RE.
Director of Electric System
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority
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Opportunity
\ Sft Emissions Reduction
Partnership for Electric Power Systems
The SFg Emissions Reduction Partnership for
Electric Power Systems is a voluntary, non-
regulatory partnership between the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the electric
power industry aimed at reducing SFg emissions.
The partnership provides a forum for EPA and
the electric power industry to work together to
reduce SFg emissions to technically and eco-
nomically feasible levels — thereby helping to
avoid global climate change. The electric power
industry has an enormous opportunity to help
reduce the nation's SFg emissions through
cost-effective operational improvements and
equipment upgrades.
The SFg Emissions Reduction Partnership for
Electric Power Systems is one of a suite of vol-
untary EPA programs working with industries
that emit the most potent of greenhouse gases.
EPA has also developed partnerships with the
aluminum industry (perfluorocarbons (PFCs)),
semiconductor manufacturers (PFCs, SFg, and
hydrofluorocarbons (MFCs)), and magnesium
producers and casters
Participants in these programs value the flexi-
bility and benefits voluntary programs offer:
cost-effective pollution prevention, protection
of the environment, information sharing, and
positive company recognition.
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Partnership Benefits
Protect the environment
The partnership provides an exciting opportunity for
the electric power industry and EPA to work together
to reduce SFg emissions and prevent global warming.
Save money
The SFg Emissions Reduction Partnership for Electric
Power Systems can help you improve your bottom
line. SFg is a relatively expensive gas, so reducing
emissions saves money. Through improvements in
the leak rate of new electrical equipment, refurbishing
of older equipment, and the use of efficient operation
and maintenance techniques, utilities often find tech-
nologically and economically feasible ways to reduce
SFg emissions.
The SF6 Emissions Reduction Partnership for Electric Power
Systems is a win-win-win. The environment wins from the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Cinergy wins by
reducing the emission of an expensive gas and improving
equipment operations. EPA and Cinergy win by forging a
better relationship of mutual cooperation working
towards the same goal.
The SF6 Emissions Reduction Partnership for Electric Power
Systems has solidified Cinergy's efforts for reducing SF6
emissions. Cinergy was already interested in SFe emissions
reduction, but the voluntary program has given Cinergy a
coherent approach to implementing the reductions.
Tammy L. Jett
Senior Environmental Specialist
Cinergy
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Learn from others
EPA will work with its partners to share information
on best management practices and other issues that
can help achieve the goals of the partnership. EPA
will also sponsor periodic SFg conferences where
partners and others from the industry can keep up-
to-date on the latest developments in this area and
learn from others.
Enhance your public image
EPA will provide opportunities for recognition of
your organization's participation and efforts to
reduce SFg emissions at industry events, in trade
publications, and on EPA's Web site.
Since signing the MOU with the EPA, AEP has:
' Reviewed its maintenance policy regarding SF6-containing
equipment
• Implemented preventative maintenance programs to start
reducing gas leakage rates
• Enhanced its training program on proper handling of
SF6 gas
• Utilized laser imaging leak detection technology
These efforts to reduce SF6 emissions have paid for themselves
through avoided gas purchases. Future savings from equip-
ment tested to date, estimated at $20,000, will be realized
by not having to purchase replacement gas. Subsequent leak
detection and equipment repair/replacement will increase
savings even more. Replacing older, high-volume equipment
with new low-volume equipment will reduce the amount of
SFe gas purchased. Annual savings of $50,000 are projected.
Dale E. Heydlauff
Senior Vice President
Environmental Affairs
American Electric Power
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Joining the Partnership
To become a partner you need to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU).The MOU is an agreement between the
partner and EPA that details the roles and responsibilities of
both EPA and the partner. EPA developed the MOU with signifi-
cant industry input in order to make it flexible and user-friendly.
It is up to the partner to determine what emission reduction
actions are technically and economically feasible for its operation.
Through participation
in EPA's SF6 partner-
ship, we have found
that tracking our SF6
leak rate and
reclaiming processes
is easier than we
had imagined. By
working with EPA
on a voluntary basis,
we have cut our gas
emissions to an all-
time minimum.
Management has
been working with
us to replace the
older leaking equip-
ment that we have
on our system.
Michael Mahurin,
General Foreman
Bill Icke, Assistant
General Foreman
San Antonio City
Public Service
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EPA Responsibilities:
Act as a clearinghouse for technical information on successful strate-
gies to reduce SFe emissions
Provide partners with recognition for their achievements in reducing SFe
emissions
Provide a credibe repository for data on the emissions reduction
achievements of the partners
Work to obtain commitments from all electric power system operators
to join the partnership
Partner Responsibilities:
Annually inventory emissions of SFe using standardized inventory pro-
tocol
Establish a strategy for replacing oder, leakier pieces of eguipment
Implement SFe recycling
Ensure that only trained personne handle SFe
Submit annual progress reports
The tracking and reporting scheme implemented under the
SFe Partnership will enable companies to document early
contribution to the prevention of global climate change.
Eighteen months after joining. Partners agree to set an
emissions reduction goal that they determine to be technically
and economically feasible.
Many partner utilities have aggressive programs in place.
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Partners
as of 3/02
Allegheny Power
American Electric Power*
Athens Electric Department*
Austin Energy
Bangor Hydro-Electric Company*
Big Rivers Electric Corporation*
Bonneville Power Administration*
Central Maine Power*
Central Vermont Public Service
Corporation*
Cinergy Services, Inc., on behalf of
The Cincinnati Gas & Electric
Company and PSI Energy, Inc.*
City Light, Water & Cable*
City of Monroe
Columbia River PUD*
Commonwealth Edison*
Commonwealth Electric*
Connecticut Light and Power
Company*
Consolidated Edison Company of
New York*
Crisp County Power Commission*
Duquesne Light Company*
Edison International
El Paso Electric Company*
Eugene Water & Electric Board*
FirstEnergy Corporation*
Florida Power & Light Company*
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority*
GPU Energy*
Grand Island Utilities Department*
Hastings Utilities*
Kings River Conservation District*
Lower Colorado River Authority
Maine Public Service Company*
Manitowoc Public Utilities*
Menasha Electric and Water
Utilities*
Montana Power Company
Muscatine Power & Water*
Nashville Electric Service
Nebraska Public Power District
New York Power Authority
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp
North Atlantic Energy Service
Corporation*
Northeast Utilities Services
Company*
Northern Indiana Public Service
Company
OG&E Electric Services*
PG & E Corporation*
Public Service Company of
New Hampshire*
PUD No. 1 of Douglas County
PUD No. 1 of Pend Oreille County*
Reliant Energy HL & P*
Rochester Gas & Electric
Salt River Project*
San Antonio City Public Service*
Silicon Valley Power
South Carolina Electric & Gas
Company
Southern Company*
Southwestern Electric Power
Company*
Tennessee Valley Authority
Texas Municipal Power Agency*
The Memphis Light, Gas & Water
Division
Town of Wallingford*
TXU*
Village of Prairie du Sac*
Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation &
Drainage District*
West Texas Utilities*
Western Massachusetts Electric
Company*
Wisconsin Electric Power
Company*
* Charter Partners
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Contact Information
Visit the Web site of the SFg Emissions Reduction Partnership for Electric
Power System at www.epa.gov/highgwp1/sf6 for more information and
to download a copy of the partnership MOU.
If you have any additional questions, please contact:
Jerome Blackman
Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
MC 6205J
1200 Pennsylvania, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Tel. 202-564-8995
Fax. 202-565-2155
blackmanjerome@epa.gov
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