a brave new world cathy woollums , svp, environmental and chief environmental counsel
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A Brave New World Cathy Woollums , SVP, Environmental and Chief Environmental Counsel NASUCA Mid-Year Meeting – June 2, 2014. Pending EPA Regulations on Electricity Sources – rules not issued in coordinated fashion. Climate. Air. Land & Natural Resources. Waste & Chemical Management. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A Brave New WorldCathy Woollums, SVP, Environmental and Chief Environmental Counsel
NASUCA Mid-Year Meeting – June 2, 2014
Pending EPA Regulations on Electricity Sources – rules not issued in coordinated fashion
Land & Natural
Resources
WaterClimateAir Waste & Chemical
Management
Transmission Siting and Permitting
Avian Protection
Endangered Species
Vegetation Management
Coal Ash
PCBs in Electrical Equipment
HazMat Transport
NSPS – New & Modified Sources
NSPS – Existing Sources
BACT Permitting
International Negotiations
316(b)
Effluent Guidelines Limitations
Waters ofthe U.S.
NPDES Pesticide Permits
Waterbody – Specific Standards
Utility MACT
Interstate Transport (CAIR/CSAPR)
Regional Haze/Visibility
Multiple NAAQS
New SourceReview (NSR)
3
4
• Rising expectations for reliability• Aging plants (nearly 80% of coal plants >30 years
old)• Move from centralized power to customer-generated
power• Changing relationship between utility and customer • Flat load growth nationwide – due to:– Low economic recovery from recession– Distributed generation– Energy efficiency
Disruptive Changes Facing U.S. Utilities
5
• Impact of: – Flat to lower demand for electricity? – Less reliance on coal, more on natural gas and
renewables?– Increased energy efficiency? – EPA regulations?
• Significant decline in greenhouse gas emissions– 2013: U.S. power sector CO2 emissions were 15% below
2005 emission levels – Lowest levels since 1996 – 2020 reduction target under Waxman-Markey climate
change bill was 17% below 2005 levels
Changes and Trends
6
• No price on carbon (yet), but utilities act like there is one• Renewables and nuclear need a price or penalty on
carbon emissions in order to grow• Impact of intermittent resources and renewable
integration costs• Minimal growth while investment needs and mandates
increase – Obligations to build renewables (renewable portfolio standard,
PURPA requirements)– Associated transmission – Compliance with EPA rules (pollution controls, fuel switching)
• With flat demand and rising capital needs, the unit cost of electricity will rise
Uncertainties in the Market
7
• Choices– Options on renewables– Energy efficiency – Independence (limited connections to grid)– Enhanced reliability
• How to meet or exceed expectations– Transparent– Fair– Cost effective– Informed
Changing Customer Relationships and Expectations
8
• Legislation– Colorado Clean Air Clean Jobs Act, Nevada SB 123
• Regulation– Iowa Biennial Emissions Plan and Budget filing
• Hybrids – New Hampshire scrubber bill
• Other Influences– The “Polar Vortex” – Capacity– Reliability– Natural gas prices
• New ideas and consumer protections
Legislative and/or Regulatory Changes?