\
SFe Emission Reduction
" " er Systems
r y
2005 Annual Report
August 2006, Revised

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Preface - The SF& E

3
Common Greenhouse Gases and Their
Global Warming Potentials (GWPs)
(100-Year Time Horizon)
Several chemical compounds found in the atmosphere act as greenhouse gases. While many
occur in nature, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, others are produced
through industrial processes. Although carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant greenhouse
gas, it is not the most potent (on a per unit weight basis). Sulfur hexafluoride (SF$) has been
identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)' as the most potent
non-CO2 greenhouse gas, with an ability to trap heat in the atmosphere 23,900 times more
effectively than CO2. Approximately 80 percent
of SF6 gas produced is used by the electric utility
industry in high voltage electrical equipment as
an insulator or arc quenching medium/ Currently,
more than 80 environmental leaders in the U.S.
electric utility industry are recognized by EPA
under the SF$ Emission Reduction Partnership for
Electric Power Systems for actively targeting SF$
emissions. Partners are proactively helping to
prevent global climate change and in doing so,
are experiencing operational and cost efficiencies
through improvements to equipment reliability
and reduced SF6 gas purchases and maintenance
expenditures. Each year; SF6 Partners have
collectively prevented large quantities of SF6 gas
from escaping into the atmosphere; the 2005
reporting year marks another year of outstanding
achievement for the program.
Gas
GWP
co2
1
ch4
21
HFC-1 52a
140
n2o
310
HFC-1 34a
1,300
HFC-431 Omee
1,300
HFC-227ea
2,900
HFC-236fa
6,300
cf4
6,500
C6F14
7,400
c2f6
9,200
HFC-23
11,700
sf6
23,900
—
Source: IPCC (1996) Climate Changb l995: The Science of Climate
Change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; J.T. Houghton
L.G. Meira Filho, B.A. Callander, N. Harris, A. Kattenberg, and
K. Maskell^'eds.; Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, U.K.
This year's annual report presents the cumulative successes of Partners in reducing emissions of
SF6 gas from electric utility operations from 1999 through 2005.
' The IPCC is an international scientific body organized by the World Meteorological Organization ( WM()) and the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.
^ Smythe, K. "Trends in SFs Sales and End-Use Applications: 1961-2003," Conference on SF6 and the Environment. Scottsdale, Arizona,
December 1-3, 2004.
August 2006, Revised
www.epa.gov/electricpcwer-sf6
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Below is a summary of the accomplishments made by EPA's SF6 Partners, The results of the
2005 reporting year as well as cumulative achievements since the inception of the Partnership
in 1999 are presented.
Partner-Reported Emissions
The Sly, Emission Reduction Partnership
has historically tracked a declining trend
in the annual average Sly, emission rate
(the ratio of Sly, emissions relative to total
nameplate capacity reported by Partners).
The 2005 reporting year furthers this
trend with another decrease in the overall
Partnership's average emission rate. The
2005 Sly, emission rate is 8.3 percent, down
from 9.4 percent in 2004. Overall, between
1999 and 2004, the Partnership's SFg
emission rate has dramatically decreased by
more than half (Figure 1).
Figure 1. SF& Emission Reduction Partnership
SFa Emission Rate Trend, 1999-2005




¦
i—	
0- 1
	
	
hi

¦
m

i I
1999 2000 2001 ' 2002 2003 2004 2005
Figure 2 displays a distribution of emission rates reported by Partners for 2005.
Partnership's Average
SF6 Emission Rate (8.3%)
Partnership's Median
SF6 Emission Rate (2%)
Partners
Figure 2. Partner Reported 2005 SF$ Emission Rates
"E
LLI
O
Li_
iO
50%-
45%.
40%.
45%-
30k.
25°/^,
20%.
15%.
10%.
5%.
0%.
2
www.spa.gov/electricpower-sf6
August 2006, Revised

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Table 1 summarizes the aggregated program statistics for each year since 1999. Because of inconsistency in data
reporting, the Sly, emission rate should be used (rather than Sly, emissions) for annual comparative purposes.
Results for the 2005 reporting year include total reported Sly, emissions of 414,830 pounds and a nameplate
capacity close to 5 million pounds.
Table 1: Aggregated Statistics for all Reporting Partners

1999

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Reporting
Partners'1
81%
79%
80%
69%
84%
86%
87%
Total SF^
Emissions (lbs.)
605,474
583,524
584,297
501,993
460,771
452,246
414,830
Total Name-Plate
Capacity (lbs.)
3,484,335
3,858,884
4,073,501
4,589,151
4,633,776
4,801,652
4,976,591
SF6 Emission
Rateb
17.4%
15.1%
14.3%
10.9%
9.9%
9.4%
8.3%
a Reports received/ reports expected.
b SF6 emission rate is calculated by dividing total emissions by total name-plate capacity (i.e., the total quantity of SF6
contained in electrical equipment).
Table 2 presents a summary of total annual Sly, emission reductions achieved by all reporting Partners through
2005. The information presented is derived by evaluating emissions data provided by reporting Partners for each
year (see Table 1), and is not adjusted to account for Partners who have not provided data consecutively. Emissions
reductions are also presented in terms of million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e) with
1999 as the baseline year (the start of EPA's Sly, Partnership).
For 2005, Sly, Partners have collectively achieved a 32 percent decrease in emissions from the 1999 baseline
year. Approximately 190,644 pounds of SF6, or the equivalent of 2.07 MMTC02 emissions have been avoided.
Cumulatively (1999-2005), emissions avoided total 635,182 pounds or 6.88 MMTC02e (i.e., the sum of reductions
from baseline as provided in Table 2 in MMTC02e).
Table 2: Summary of Partnership SF6 Emissions and Reductions

1999a
2

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Total Partner-
Reported sf6
Emissions (lbs)
605,474
583,524
584,297
501,993
460,771
452,246
414,830
Total Partner-
Reported SF^
Emissions
(MMTC02e)
6.56
6.32
6.33
5.44
4.99
4.90
4.50
Reduction
from Baseline
(MMTC02e)

0.24
0.23
1.12
1.57
1.66
2.07
Percent Reduction
from Baseline
-
3.6%
3.5%
17.1%
23.9%
25.3%
31.5%
a Baseline year.
August 2006, Revised
www.epa.gov/electricpower-sf6
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Partner Spotlights
SF6 Partners represent a wide range of electric utilities in the United States. Through the
accomplishments of three Partners, this section highlights opportunities available to other
utilities to realize and maintain noteworthy emission reductions of SF6 gas.
Northeast Utilities
(Connecticut Light & Power, Public
Service of New Hampshire & Western
Massachusetts Electric Company)
For larger utilities with significant Sly,
nameplate capacity to manage, great strides
are being made in reducing emissions. As a
relatively large Partner, Northeast Utilities
has a nameplate capacity of nearly 100,000
pounds. Since 1999, Northeast Utilities
has reduced its Sly, emission rate by over
90 percent, a great achievement given
that the utility has experienced significant
transmission system growth during this
period. These emissions reductions were
achieved in part through a dedicated
equipment replacement program.
PUD No. 1 of Douglas County
Smaller utilities, such as PUD No. 1 of Douglas
County, have found that partnering with EPA
enables them to be recognized for reducing
and maintaining low emissions of Sly, from
their operations. Douglas PUD, with a
nameplate capacity of less than 10,000 lbs, has
been a Partner since 1999. Douglas PUD has
reduced emissions through proper handling
techniques, identification and elimination
of leaks, and the replacement of equipment
that do not meet specific leak rate thresholds.
Douglas PUD successfully reduced their
emission rate to zero in 2004 and continues to
maintain zero emissions as of 2005.
Duquesne Light SF6 Project Profile
Duquesne Light Company undertook a project to carefully decommission one of their substations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Duquesne Light's Carson Substation was originally built to provide
power primarily to two arc furnaces operated by a local steel production facility. After the steel company
ceased operation, Duquesne Light decided to install a new, more applicable transformer. To decommission
the old substation, Duquesne Light worked with a vendor to recover the Sly, gas and reclaim it to ASTM
standards. The project resulted in the removal of approximately 7,300 lbs of Sly, that would otherwise have
been lost to the atmosphere. These emission reductions are equivalent to the C02 emission reductions
from not driving 17,000 passenger cars for one year.
For the complete Duquesne Light Project Profile, please visit EPA's Sly, Partnership website at
wwwepa.gov/electricpower-sf6. Utilities interested in sharing their experiences in mitigating SFg emissions
should contact Jerome Blackman, EPA Program Manager.
4
www.epa.gov/electricpower-sf6
August 2006, Revised

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New Partners
In late 2005 and through July 2006, EPA welcomed
the following new Partners into the Sly, Emission
Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems:
• Seattle City Light - Seattle, WA
• Montana-Dakota Utilities - Bismark, ND
• NSTAR Electric and Gasa - Westwood, MA
•	Boston Edison Company - Boston, ma
•	Cambridge Electric Light Company
-	Boston, MA
•	Commonwealth Electric Company
-	Boston, MA
• Pacificorpa - Portland, OR
•	Pacific Power - Portland, OR
•	Rocky Mountain Power
- Salt Lake City, UT
a Parent Company.
EPA continues to conduct outreach to the electric
utility industry; the Sly, Emission Reduction Partnership
in 2006 now totals 77 companies. Appendix A contains
a list of participating utilities as of August 2006.
Equipment Field Study
EPA recently conducted a study on Sly, leak rates
from approximately 2,300 high voltage circuit breakers
manufactured between 1998 and 2002. This study was
undertaken to investigate and increase industry
knowledge concerning Sly, leak rates from newly
manufactured circuit breakers.
Based on the study findings, the leakage rates of
these circuit breakers range from 0.2 to 2.5 percent
of nameplate capacity per year. A recently published
paper is available for download from the Partnership's
web site www.epa. gov/electricpower-sf6 in the
"Research & Studies" section under "Documents,
Tools & Resources." Additionally, a complete summary
of the report will be presented at the upcoming SFg
Conference in November 2006.
The 2006 International
Conference on SF6 and the
Environment
The 4th International Conference on Sly, and the
Environment will be held from November 28-30, 2006
in San Antonio, TX. This biennial conference brings
together representatives from the electric power
industry, the scientific community, and governments
to share their knowledge and experience of Sly,
management and reduction strategies, costs and
benefits of reductions, alternatives research, and
partner achievements.
For more information, please visit EPA's Electric
Power Systems Partnership website at www.epa.gov
/electricpower-sf6. Partners interested in speaking or
presenting a paper at the conference should contact
Jerome Rlackman, EPA Program Manager.
August 2006, Revised
www.epa.gov/electricpcwer-sf6
5

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In 2005, Sly, Partners achieved considerable
reductions in Sly, emissions. Partners
collectively reduced the average Sly, emission
rate to 8.3 percent compared to 9.4 percent
in 2004 and 17 percent in 1999. SFg
emissions in 2005 are 32 percent lower than
in 1999 baseline. Cumulatively, Sly, Partners
have prevented the escape of 635,182 pounds
of Sly, or 6.88 MMTC02e. In terms of dollars
saved from avoided purchases to replace
gas losses to the atmosphere, this quantity
translates into approximately $3.8 to $5.7
million dollars. These savings are shown in
Figure 3.
The potential threat from Sly, to our climate
is great since one pound of Sly, released
is roughly equivalent to thermal warming from 11 tons of C02. As of 2005, Sly, emission reductions are the
equivalent to C02 emissions from 16 million barrels of oil NOT consumed, or C02 emissions from 1.8 million
households reducing electricity use by 50 percent for one year, or C02 emissions from 1.5 million passenger cars
NOT driven for one year.
The SFg Emission Reduction Partnership has established a framework to help electric utilities manage Sly, gas,
successfully reduce emissions of this potent greenhouse gas, and maintain these reductions. A significant amount
of SFg is still emitted each year; yet the future holds promise.
In order to build upon the successes achieved over the past six years, EPA asks all Sly, Partners to update and/
or extend their SFg emission reduction goals through December 2012. This effort will help to provide uniform
structure to and a consistent time-frame for measuring the collective accomplishments of SFg Partners over time.
SFg Partners should notify EPA's Program Manager of their updated goals.
For additional information please contact:
Jerome Blackman
Program Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Division
Washington, DC 20460
Tel: (202) 343-9630
Email: Blackman.Jerome@epamail.epa.gov
6	www.spa.goY/electricpcwer-sf6	August 2006, Revised
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000 ¦
$1,000,000 -
$0
Figure 3. Cumulative Dollars Saved by
Preventing SFg Emissions
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004 2005
G at $6.00 per pound ~ at $9.00 per pound
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Divisi
Allegheny Power
Greensburg, PA
American Electric Power (AEP)
Columbus, OH
Arizona Public Service Company (APS)
Phoenix, AZ
Athens Electric Department
Athens, AL
Austin Energy
Austin, TX
Bangor Hydro-Electric Company
Bangor, ME
Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Henderson, KY
Bonneville Power Administration
Portland, OR
CenterPoint Energy
Houston, TX
Central Maine Power Company
Augusta, ME
Central Vermont Public Service Corporation
Rutland, VT
Cinergy Corporation
Cincinnati, OH
City of Monroe
Monroe, NC
Columbia River People's Utility District
St. Helens, OR
Consolidated Edison Company of New York
New York, NY
Crisp County Power Commission
Cordele, GA
Duquesne Light Company
Pittsburg, PA
E.ON U.S. LCC
Louisville, KY
Edison International
Rosemead, CA
1 Parent Company.
Gran
Grand
i*ort
El Paso Electric Company
El Paso, TX
Eugene Water and Electric Board
Eugene, OR
Exelon Energy Delivery (EED)a
ComEd Energy Delivery
Chicago, IL
PECO Energy Delivery
Philadelphia, PA
FirstEnergy Corporation
Akron, OH
Florida Power and Light Company (FPL)
Juno Beach, FL
FPL Energy New England
Scabrook, NH
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority
,erce, FL
Great
Elk River, M
Hastings Util
Hastings, NE
Kings River
Fresno, CA
ower Colorado
tin, TX
sland Utilities Department
id, NE
Energy
R v

Cons
Rive
ation District
Authority (LCRA)
Public Service Company
PresqufcMsle, ME
Manitowoc Public Utilities
Manitowoc, WJ
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division
Memphis, TN
Menasha Utilities
Menasha, WI
MidAmerican Energy
Des Moines, IA
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Bismarck, ND
Muscatine Power & Water
Muscatine, IA
August 2006, Revised
www.epa.goY/electricpower-sf6

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Southern(
Atlanta,
TXU
Dallas, TX
NSTAR Electric and Gas'
Boston Edison Company
Boston, MA;
Cambridge Electric Light Company
Boston, MA
Commonwealth Electric Company
Boston, MA
Nashville Electric Service (NES)
Nashville, TN
National Grid'
Granite State Electric
Northborough, MA
Massachusetts Electric
Northborough, MA
Nantucket Electric
Nantucket, MA
Narragansett Electric
Providence, RI
New England Power Company
Westborough, MA
New England Electric Transmission Co
Westborough, MA
New England Hydro-Transmissions Com
Westborough, MA
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
Syracuse, NY
Nebraska Public Power District
Doniphan, NE
New York Power Authority
New York, NY
Northeast Utilities Services Company'
Connecticut Light and Power Company
Berlin, CT
Public Service Company of New Hampshire
Manchester, CT
Western Massachusetts Electric Company
West Springfield, MA
Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO)
Merriville, IN
3 Parent Company.
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E)
Oklahoma City OK
Otter Tail Power Company
Fergus Falls, MN
Pacificorp"
Pacific Power
Portland, OR
Rocky Mountain Power
Salt Lake City, UT
Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (PG&E)
San Francisco, CA
Public Utility District No. T of Douglas County
East Wenatchee, WA
Public Utility District No. 1 of P<
Newport, WA
Rochester Gas and Electric Corpo
Rochester, NY
Salt River Project (SRP)
Phoenix,
San Anto
San Antonio)
Oreille County
City Public Service Boar
Seattle City Li
Seattle, WA
Silicon Valley Pov
Santa Clara, CA
outh Carolina Electr
umbiaj SC
rn Company
lion
& Gas Company
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Knoxville, TN
Texas Municipal Power Agency
Bryan, TX
Wallingford Electric Division
Wallingford, CT
We Energies
Milwaukee, WI
Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation & Drainage District
Wellton, AZ
www.spa.goY/electricpower-sf6
August 2006, Revised

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^EDSrx
# © \
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Division
Washington, DC 20460

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