This ACC Web-Edu Program addresses EPA’s recently approved rule requiring annual compilation and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The Rule, which mandates an inventory process that must commence January 1st of 2010, is intended to guide the establishment of a point of regulation for implementing a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. The requirements apply to all participants in the coal industry—including mines, transporters, and major users, including power plants—that emit more than 25,000 tons of GHGs, or that produce a quantity of fuel which, when combusted, will emit more than 25,000 tons. Two experts in GHG management in mining and energy will discuss the rule, its requirements and compliance strategies.
About the Economic Assessment
In 2005, the American Coal Council (ACC) published the first extensive study of the economic impact of coal ash utilization in the United States. the 128-page report examined the production and use of coal combustion products including fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag and synthetic FGD gypsum. The study identified more than $2.2 billion in annual direct economic impact from the use of the products in a variety of construction and manufacturing applications, as well as a total economic impact of nearly $4.5 billion annually.
About the Update
Since the 2005 report was published, utilization of coal combustion products has increased significantly. Additionally, regulatory scrutiny of coal ash disposal has increased on both the state and federal levels, with new federal regulations expected to be proposed by the end of 2009. Climate change legislation now moving through Congress may also affect the future value of coal ash, which can be used to offset emission of greenhouse gases. These factors, among others, have prompted the ACC to undertake an update and expansion of the 2005 report that is scheduled for publication in Fall 2009.
Click here or on the report cover for more information on the report, John Ward (the report author), advance sales, and sponsorship options.
Special thanks to our Charter Sponsors & companies who have sent in their pre-publication orders ~
For any other information on the report, please contact Janet Gellici, ACC CEO by phone at 202-756-4540, or by email.
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu pledged Tuesday the administration would pursue "clean coal" technology, even as it focuses research on alternatives such as wind and solar. ...
Chu, asked during testimony at the Senate Appropriations Committee whether the administration was committed to researching clean coal, replied: "Yes."
A new face in Kansas politics is bringing bipartisan solutions to difficult problems. Rather than simply falling back on strict anti-coal ideologies, Kansas’ new governor, Mark Parkinson, has worked with energy producers to end a protracted legal dispute over the state’s energy future.
Presented by AECOM Environment (www.aecom.com)
AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental and energy.
Program
Congress established the New Source Review Permitting Program as part of the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) with the intent of ensuring that “air quality is not significantly degraded from the addition of new and modified factories, industrial boilers and power plants.”
The program has been subject over the years to widely varying and often contradictory interpretations. On April 24, 2009, EPA announced that it would again reconsider certain aspects of the NSR Permitting Program.
As industrial and utility coal consumers examine the strategic merits and tactical considerations associated with burning various fuels. Assessing fuel flexibility options ~ including the use of treated, enhanced or beneficiated coals ~ requires a better understanding of the implications of NSR.
During our Spring Coal Forum, we welcomed a list of new members to the
association. An oversight caused us to miss one of those valued new
members in the list. As a means of addressing that oversight, we have invited ACES Power
Marketing to submit a short introductory article to the Coalblog.
We would also like to officially welcome ACES Power Marketing as a member and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.
The American Coal Council has an association objective of "supporting the business, marketing and management capabilities of American coal suppliers, coal consumers, coal transporters, coal traders and coal support service companies. We're proud to offer our members the opportunity to showcase their companies and products.ACES Power Marketing (APM) www.acespower.com has been a Member of the American Coal Council since November, 2008. APM is a nationally-recognized energy management firm owned by 17 power supply cooperatives (including 16 G&Ts), several of whom rely substantially on the coal-fired generation they own to serve the energy needs of their member co-ops serving over 6 million consumers. Coal has been a fuel-of-choice for co-ops for decades, because it can be reliably supplied, transported and burned in cost-effective manner. Furthermore, for many of APM’s members, hedgeable coal-related costs are often embedded in the power purchase agreements they have with other power suppliers.
The primary business of APM is providing a broad suite of energy risk management and transaction execution services that are applicable to every type of power and fuel supply for its 17 members. APM also provides its services to a wide variety of energy industry participants, including non-member power supply co-ops, municipal utilities, public power agencies, independent power producers and renewable energy developers.
With specific regard to coal-fired generation resources, the APM services most relevant include sophisticated portfolio modeling and analysis, highlighting risk and return tradeoffs in power hedging strategies. Additionally, APM provides guidance and execution in the development of coal purchasing strategies, the hedging of fuel price risk in supply and transportation contracts, and the compliance with evolving emissions regulations.
Because APM actively tracks climate change initiatives (including the possibility of CO2 cap-and-trade) and helps formulate and execute hedge strategies for future power supply alternatives, APM is uniquely positioned to provide guidance on strategies designed to respond to the political and regulatory concerns of coal-fired generators. Although APM can offer advice, it does not assume an advocacy role on coal-related issues.
APM has a broad geographic reach. Its member and customers stretch from northern Maine to Baja, California, and from the Pacific Northwest to the Florida peninsula.
APM Members include:
- Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.
- Big Rivers Electric Corporation (Kentucky)
- Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Texas)
- Buckeye Power, Inc. (Ohio)
- Central Iowa Power Cooperative
- East Kentucky Power Cooperative
- Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Texas and Oklahoma)
- Great River Energy (Minnesota)
- Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Indiana)
- North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation
- Oglethorpe Power Corporation (Georgia)
- Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
- Southern Illinois Power Cooperative
- Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Sunflower Electric Power Corporation (Kansas)
- Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc. (Indiana)
- Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (Oklahoma)
