1

Green Remediation: Opening the Door to Field Use

Session B (Green Remediation Tools and Examples)

December 16, 2008

Carlos Pachon

U.S. EPA Superfund Program

pachon.carlos@epa.gov

2

What is Green Remediation?

The practice of considering all environmental effects of a cleanup during each phase of

the process, and incorporating strategies to maximize net environmental benefit of the

cleanup.

Focus is on remedy implementation vs. remedy selection

3

Is it Our Job?

Executive Order 13423, January 26, 2007-Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management» Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States that Federal

agencies conduct their environmental, transportation, and energy-related activities under the law in support of their respective missions in an environmentally, economically and fiscally sound, integrated, continuously improving, efficient, and sustainable manner.

EPA Strategic Plan Goal 1:  Clean Air and Global Climate Change» Protect and improve the air so it is healthy to breathe and risks to

human health and the environment are reduced.  Reduce greenhouse gas intensity by enhancing partnerships with businesses and other sectors.

EPA Strategic Plan Goal 5:  Compliance and Environmental Stewardship» Stewards of the environment recycle wastes to the greatest extent

possible, minimize or eliminate pollution at its source, conserve natural resources, and use energy efficiently to prevent harm to the environment or human health. 

4

Opportunities to Increase Sustainability in Site Cleanups

Apply to all cleanup programs

Exist throughout site investigation, design, construction, operation, and monitoring

Are aligned with our mandates (EPA Strategy, EO13423, etc).

5

Core Elements: Energy Requirements

Energy efficient equipment operating at peak performance

Periodic evaluation and optimization of equipment with high energy demand

Renewable energy systems to replace or offset grid electricity

Managed demand to leverage low peak capacity and rates

6

Carbon & Energy Footprints of Superfund Cleanup Technologies

Technology

Pump & Treat

Thermal Desorption

Multi-Phase Extraction

Air Sparging

Soil Vapor Extraction

Technology Total

Estimated EnergyAnnual

Average(kWh*103)

489,607

92,919

18,679

10,156

6,734

618,095

Total EstimatedEnergy Use

in 2008-2030(kWh*103)

11,260,969

2,137,126

429,625

233,599

154,890

14,216,209

Annual Carbon Footprint (MT CO2)

Sum of 5 Technologies 404,411

7

Recap on Energy & Carbon Footprint Strategy

Optimize systems to maximize efficiency and return per unit energy invested

Build renewable energy capacity at contaminated sites to power remedies

Tap into grid renewable energy portfolios

Leverage carbon sequestration from soil amendment treatment (policy vacuum)

8

Green Remediation Profile: Ferdula Landfill, Frankfort NY

Soil vapor extraction relying on wind power to draw vacuum from landfill vents

Exclusively off-grid operations providing a pulsed effect for carbon removal of VOCs

VOC concentrations in soil gas reduced over 90% in five years of operation

9

Green Remediation Profile: Operating Industries Landfill, Monterey Park CA

Meets about 70% of plant needs (thermal oxidizer, refrigeration, and air blower)

Six 70-kW microturbines for landfill gas collection (5,500 scfm) at Superfund site

Savings reaching up to $400,000 each year through avoided grid electricity

10

Green Remediation Profile: St. Croix Alumina, St. Croix VI

PV panels generating electricity for fluid-gathering system during oil recovery

Wind-driven turbine compressors and electric generators powering pumps to recover free-product oil

Reclaimed oil from RCRA site used for refinery feedstock

11

“OSWER” Green Remediation Strategy

» Benchmark and document GR best management practices

» Assemble a toolkit of enablers

» Build networks of practitioners

» Develop performance metrics and tracking mechanisms

For the purpose of advancing green remediation best practices across cleanup programs OSWER seeks to:

12

Green Cleanups Information& Feedback Channels

Technology Innovation Program Green Remediation (GR) Effort

Superfund GR Workgroup

Technical Support Project (TSP) Green Committee

Green Remediation, Revitalization, and Reuse (GRRR) Team

Climate Change and Contaminated Lands (CCCL) Workgroup

Climate Change Coordinating Committee (C4)

ASTSWMO Greener Cleanups Task Force

ITRC Green and Sustainable Remediation (GSR) Project

Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) GR Focus

EPA Partnerships with Other Federal Agencies Department of Defense (USACE IAG & MOU)) Department of Energy (NREL IAG & MOU)

State Initiatives ( Cal/EPA GR Team, Illinois Greener Cleanups, Wisconsin Initiative on Sustainable Cleanups (WISC)

Brownfields Sustainability Pilots: Green Redevelopment

Tribal Initiatives

EPA Regional Initiatives: Region 3 Pilot Project on Green Cleanup Standards Region 9 Cleanup-Clean Air Initiative

Sustainable Remediation Forum (SuRF)

13

Green Remediation Activities

Existing Green remediation primer, website, and profiles of projects Internet seminars, and archived discussions (cluin.org) Tech support for Federal and State project managers Contracts toolkit for RACs Renewable energy fact sheets and website NARPM 8-hour training

In the Pipeline MOU with NREL MOU with the USACE recognizing and fostering GR BMPs at Superfund cleanups Green Remediation Analyses and Development of Methodology (Region 9) Contracts toolkit for ERRS Remedy specific green remediation “cheat sheets’ Site cleanup energy audit tool Who’s who in green remediation (EPA Intranet) ER3 for green remediation OSC 4-hour training Engineering forum “GR review and technical support” capability Green cleanup voluntary standards project

14

Opportunities for a Standard

Growing interest in social responsibility

Companies have internal goals to become greener

New tools are being developed to evaluate impacts from cleanups

Builds upon state and local government incentives currently being developed

US Green Building Council has indicated interest in EPA developing green cleanup standard

Initiates a constructive dialogue

15

Conceptual Development for Green Cleanups Standard

EPA Workgroup partners with ASTSWMO to develop straw metrics and incentives

EPA collaborates with Standard Developing Organization

Green Standard

EPA/States Evaluate Standard and Develop Recognition Program(s)

EPA/States Partners with Accrediting

Organization(s)

Certifying Organization(s)

Self Declaration

Recognized Compliance with Green Cleanup Standard

EPA initiates workgroup to develop Concept Paper for EPA management

Submit documentation to cleanup program

Sta

nd

ard

s D

evel

op

men

tC

on

form

ity

Ass

essm

ent

SDO Develops Green Cleanup Standard through Consensus Process

15

16

Key Attributes

Voluntary - Not mandating new cleanup evaluation

Transparent - Consensus based standards development

Universal - Easier for stakeholders to implement

Flexible - Program or State-specific recognition options

Minimal Resources - Independent 3rd party or self-certification (audits)

Market Driven - Certifying Projects or Persons (promote technology innovation)

17

EPA Green Remediation Primer

Provides introduction to best practices with examples of how and where they are used

Focuses on remedy implementation across regulatory frameworks

Released April 2008, available at: http://cluin.org/greenremediation

18

Green Remediation on the Web www.clu-in.org/greenremediation

1919

Green Remediation Green Remediation and Transportationand Transportation

Clu-In SeminarClu-In Seminar December 16, 2008December 16, 2008

Sean Sheldrake, EPA Region 10Sean Sheldrake, EPA Region 10

1919

2020

Why Transportation?Why Transportation?

Transportation is often the biggest Transportation is often the biggest energy consumer for site cleanups.energy consumer for site cleanups.

Transportation and other vehicles used Transportation and other vehicles used can be the biggest polluters for each unit can be the biggest polluters for each unit of energy required to do the cleanup at of energy required to do the cleanup at your site, increasing short term risks.your site, increasing short term risks.

2121

Protect/Improve Public Health by:Protect/Improve Public Health by: Helping to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM2.5, Helping to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM2.5,

Ozone)Ozone) Meeting air toxics goals (both federal and state/local partners)Meeting air toxics goals (both federal and state/local partners)

Support Energy Security and Green House Support Energy Security and Green House Gas Reductions by:Gas Reductions by: Using cleaner fuels (biodiesel, biogas/natural gas, electric …) Using cleaner fuels (biodiesel, biogas/natural gas, electric …)

relative to total diesel fuelrelative to total diesel fuel Advance regional/local production of renewable fuels supporting Advance regional/local production of renewable fuels supporting

local agriculture and forestry sectorslocal agriculture and forestry sectors Utilize SmartWay and other programs to virtually eliminate on-Utilize SmartWay and other programs to virtually eliminate on-

road, locomotive, and non-road HDD idling (ports, corridors, road, locomotive, and non-road HDD idling (ports, corridors, distribution locations)distribution locations)

West Coast Collaborative Goals

2222

Why is Reducing Emissions Why is Reducing Emissions Important?Important?Degrades Air Quality Degrades Air Quality Particulate Matter (PM)Particulate Matter (PM) Ozone precursorsOzone precursors

Energy and Climate ChangeEnergy and Climate Change Over 40% of green house gas emissions from mobile sourcesOver 40% of green house gas emissions from mobile sources Over 90% of fuel imported petroleumOver 90% of fuel imported petroleum

Serious Health EffectsSerious Health Effects Diesel exhaust is a Diesel exhaust is a “likely human carcinogen”“likely human carcinogen” and respiratory irritant and respiratory irritant Harmful diesel PMHarmful diesel PM Diesel exhaust contains “likely” and “known” (e.g., benzene) human Diesel exhaust contains “likely” and “known” (e.g., benzene) human

carcinogens, and also have respiratory, neurological, developmental, carcinogens, and also have respiratory, neurological, developmental, and immunological health effects.and immunological health effects.

2424

Mix of particles and liquid dropletsMix of particles and liquid droplets Considerably smaller in size than human hairConsiderably smaller in size than human hair Penetrates deeply into the lungsPenetrates deeply into the lungs

Hair cross section (70 m)

PM10 (10µm) PM2.5 (2.5 µm)Human Hair (70 µm diameter)

Particulate Matter (PM) In Diesel Exhaust Is The Driver Of Risk

2525

Avoiding Or Substantially Avoiding Or Substantially Reducing EmissionsReducing Emissions

Switch from truck to rail transportSwitch from truck to rail transport Investigate on-site disposal options Investigate on-site disposal options Integrate diesel emissions into short term Integrate diesel emissions into short term

impact analyses to allow for lower impact impact analyses to allow for lower impact technology to be identified during FS technology to be identified during FS analysisanalysis

2626

What If Rail Transport Isn’t What If Rail Transport Isn’t Practical? What Now?Practical? What Now?

Diesel emissions controls may be a Diesel emissions controls may be a viable and cost effective option at your viable and cost effective option at your site.site.

2727

Diesel Oxidation CatalystDiesel Oxidation CatalystEmissions Reductions • 20% - 50% reduction in PM• 60% - 90% reduction in HC• >90% reduction in CO

2828

Trapped PM

Exhaust(PM, CO, HC)Enter

Ceramic HoneycombWall

Exhaust (CO2, H2O)Out

Emissions Reductions

• 95% PM reduction• 90% HC reduction• 90% CO reduction

Diesel Particulate Filter

2929

Typical test filter – no DPF

Test filter – with DPF

Unused test filter

Diesel Particulate Filter Emissions Reductions

2929

3030

Diesel Multistage Filter Diesel Multistage Filter (DMFs)(DMFs)

3030

3131

Other Emissions Control Other Emissions Control Technologies & Cleaner FuelsTechnologies & Cleaner Fuels Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCRs)Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCRs)

20% - 50% reduction in PM20% - 50% reduction in PM 60% - 90% reduction in HC60% - 90% reduction in HC >90% reduction in CO>90% reduction in CO 25% - 50% reduction in NOx25% - 50% reduction in NOx

Biodiesel – Neet or blends (~$5/gallon - virgin Biodiesel – Neet or blends (~$5/gallon - virgin biodiesel)biodiesel) 10% to 50 % reduction in PM10% to 50 % reduction in PM

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)

3232

Front Loader

Earth Mover

Hauler

Back Hoe

Dredging

3333

Emergency Response trucks now run on B100, where fill Emergency Response trucks now run on B100, where fill stations are available.stations are available.

ERU trucks now also have DMFs installed to further improve ERU trucks now also have DMFs installed to further improve tailpipe emissions.tailpipe emissions.

ERRS contract now includes emission reduction languageERRS contract now includes emission reduction language Taylor Lumber, Sheridan ORTaylor Lumber, Sheridan OR On the way—biodiesel usage in some MEL vehicles, Port of On the way—biodiesel usage in some MEL vehicles, Port of

Portland Terminal 4 dredging with ULSDPortland Terminal 4 dredging with ULSD Use of rail transport instead of trucks for soils disposal at Use of rail transport instead of trucks for soils disposal at

Boomsnub removal site, Vancouver, WABoomsnub removal site, Vancouver, WA Sequential BiofuelsSequential Biofuels

Region 10

Success Stories

3434

3434

3535

3636

Example Contract Language Example Contract Language From Taylor Lumber, From Taylor Lumber, Sheridan, ORSheridan, OR

3737

Seeking PartnersSeeking Partners Steps involved for sites:Steps involved for sites:

Inventory all energy needs at the site(s) Inventory all energy needs at the site(s) Energy requirements for any remediation systems, and Energy requirements for any remediation systems, and

new/existing buildingsnew/existing buildings Types of diesel construction equipment used/planned to be Types of diesel construction equipment used/planned to be

used, and whenused, and when

Identify and implement appropriate technologiesIdentify and implement appropriate technologies

Results from projects will help EPA develop the Results from projects will help EPA develop the Smart Energy Resource Guide (SERG)Smart Energy Resource Guide (SERG)

3838

MechanismsMechanisms Simple grant and cooperative agreement Simple grant and cooperative agreement

languagelanguage Simple contract/statement of work (SOW) Simple contract/statement of work (SOW)

languagelanguage Include language in AOCs, CDs, and RODsInclude language in AOCs, CDs, and RODs VoluntaryVoluntary

3939

Questions?

Region 10:Sean Sheldrake – 206-553-1220Wayne Elson – 206-553-1463On the Web:Region 9:http://epa.gov/region09/cleanup-clean-air/index.html

West Coast Collaborative:http://www.westcoastcollaborative.org/

40

“Smart Energy Resources Guide”

Michael D. GillRegion 9, San Francisco

Green Remediation Seminar SeriesSession B

December 16, 2008

41

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Outline for Today History of Energy Activities in Region 9 Document Overview Next Steps

42

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• History Engineering Forum Issue Paper (May 2004) Version 1 “Energy Calculator” (2005) R9 Cleanup - Clean Air Initiative (2005) RARE Project Awarded (2006) R9 Energy Advisor Hired (2007) SERG = RARE Product in (May 2008)

43

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Footprint of half of R9 Superfund Sites

• Total diesel emissions from 1985-2009 are estimated to be 3,140 tons NOx, 848 tons CO, and 105 tons PM. ~ 54,000 buses driven across US

• Total CO2 emissions associated with electricity consumption from 1990-2009 are estimated to be 428,174 tons. ~ 84,000 cars on the road for one year or ~ 50,000 single family homes for one year

Electricity and Diesel Emissions Inventory

Dozer with diesel particulate filter

44

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Solar powered pumps, Apache Powder, AZ

• Landfill methane gas, OII Landfill, CA

• Solar powered water treatment units, LLNL Site 300, CA

Renewable Energy Success Stories

45

Green Remediation – An EPA Perspective

46

Smart Energy Resources Guide

What the SERG Can Do For You:

“The SERG provides information on practices and technologies that can reduce emissions from electricity and diesel use at cleanup sites.”

Solar panels at Pemaco site, CA

47

Smart Energy Resources Guide

What is Our Goal?

Implement Renewable Energy• Reduce the significant, long-term energy demands typical for Superfund

site cleanup operations• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants• Demonstrate progressive environmental leadership

Reduce Diesel Emissions• Diesel exhaust contains harmful particulate matter (PM)• Diesel exhaust is a “likely human carcinogen” and respiratory irritant

48

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• SERG Outline Renewable Technologies (basics,

assessments, costs, success stories)• Solar• Wind• Landfill Gas-to-Energy• Anaerobic Digestion• Biomass Gasification• Cleaner Diesel

Funding Resources and OpportunitiesLFG flares at OII site, CA

49

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• SERG Outline (continued) Tools – Calculators, References, Programs Appendices

• More on Technologies

• Contract Language

• Federal Regulations

• Utility Programs

Gasifier fueled with poultry waste, WV

50

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Solar Power Solar Power Terminology Technology Basics Assessing Solar Power Potential and Size of a PV System Grid-Tied or Stand-Alone System Capital Cost, O&M, Installers and Warranties Permits and Environmental Concerns Success Stories

Example of Chapter Detail

51

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Tools Energy Efficiency Calculators Purchasing Clean Energy Informational Resources Renewable Energy Economic Calculators Solar Power, Wind Power, etc. Tools

Example of Chapter Detail (cont)

52

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• How RPMs Can Use the SERG

Assess possibilities for your project Info for better communication with developers/contractors Provide starting point to implement clean energy projects Reference for funding resources Quick tools for costs and emissions reduction estimates

53

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Next Steps

Contact RPMs using renewables & ask advice Review all Superfund sites using GIS and site-specific data

for:– Solar power potentialSolar power potential– Wind power potential Wind power potential – Proximity to landfill gas Proximity to landfill gas – Proximity to biomass productionProximity to biomass production– Rural vs. urban settingRural vs. urban setting– Open land space Open land space – Electricity demand Electricity demand – Fuel demand Fuel demand – Stage of cleanupStage of cleanup

3.6MW Turbine

Solar Tracking Unit

54

Smart Energy Resources Guide

SERG Weblink

http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600r08049/600r08049.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600r08049/600r08049.htm

55

Smart Energy Resources Guide

• Acknowledgements

Jennifer Wang (now with Energy Solutions, Inc., Oakland, CA) Penny McDaniel (Region 9) Steve Rock (ORD, Cincinnati) Engineering Forum Thanks to numerous peer reviewers! SERG for photo credits

56

Smart Energy Resources Guide

Gill.Michael@epa.gov

415-972-3054

57

After viewing the links to additional resources, please complete our online feedback form.

Thank You

Links to Additional ResourcesLinks to Additional Resources

Feedback FormFeedback Form