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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- |