|
Greetings from Olsson Associates
 Today's energy concerns must be delicately balanced to meet the needs of our businesses and communities while protecting the environment. To facilitate this balance, new regulations and laws have emerged, adding new challenges and questions.
Let Olsson Associates be your guide. Through our extensive experience in dealing with energy issues, we can help you navigate through the new and proposed laws and regulations. We will work with you to solve problems, be in compliance with new regulations, and help your interests thrive while being responsible about energy usage.
One of the greatest opportunities we have seen in the energy sector as of late relates to funding. New and significant grants are available to public and private entities to provide for efficiency studies and upgrades. Being proactive in assessing your needs and planning will enhance your ability to get some financial assistance.
Louis Lamberty, PE
Omaha Region Office Leader | |
New EPA Rule on Reporting Greenhouse Gases
The Environmental Protection Agency signed the final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Rule (40 CFR 98) on Sept. 22, 2009, to require reporting greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy. The final rule requires reporting annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorochemicals (PFCs), and other fluorinated gases (e.g., nitrogen trifluoride and hydrofluorinated ethers [HFEs]). The rule applies to certain facilities that emit greenhouse gases and to suppliers of fossil fuels and industrial greenhouse gases. In general, the rule requires facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons of GHGs, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), to collect emissions data, calculate GHG emissions, and follow the procedures for quality assurance, missing data, recordkeeping, and reporting that are specified in each relevant subpart of the rule. If you have questions about what this means for you and your projects, please contact Andrea Huggins or Nathan Knell. Both can be reached at 303.237.2072. |
|
Olsson Awarded Oil and Gas Remediation Projects
 Olsson has been awarded four significant assessment and remediation projects in Wyoming. The four sites are located at natural gas compressor stations and involve both soil and groundwater contamination. The projects will be enrolled in the Wyoming Voluntary Remediation Program (WVRP) and will involve extensive assessment, source removal, and designing and installating groundwater remediation systems. Olsson recently completed several oil and gas related remediation projects under the WVRP and will bring extensive regulatory and regional hydrogeologic expertise to these new projects. |
Understanding Cap and Trade
By Ken Fairchild, PE, Power Electrical Team
This summer the U.S. House of Representatives passed a broad climate change and energy bill (HR2454) by a 219-212 vote. The ball is now in the Senate's court, and the political pressure for action remains high. Response to this legislation has ranged from being fundamental to saving the planet from the greenhouse effect to being a death knell for the economies of those who depend on coal-fired generation.
To stay current on this important issue, Olsson's Power Electrical team signed up for a "Cap & Trade 101" Webinar, one of a series hosted by Colin Hansen, executive director of the Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU). This Webinar was designed to share background on issues driving the call for climate legislation and details about the proposed cap and trade mechanisms.
Some major statistics from the presentation included the following:
- The goal is to "cap" then "reduce" the greenhouse gas CO2 levels.
- Forty percent of CO2 emissions are from the electric power sector.
- Coal and natural gas fuel make up 60-70 percent of the U.S.'s electric generation.
|
|
Featured Project: Norris Viaduct Replacement | Cheyenne, Wyoming
Viaduct's Grand Opening Held October 7
A grand opening was held recently to open the Norris Viaduct. Since 2003, numerous Olsson staff members have worked on this viaduct replacement, which is Cheyenne's largest public works project ever. Congrats to the City of Cheyenne on this exciting project that links north and south Cheyenne. READ MORE |
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) to be Available Soon
The Nebraska Energy Office will soon issue a request for proposals for an available $5,756,100 in funding. These funds will go to Nebraska cities and counties that will not receive direct funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. The competitive solicitation will award up to $250,000 in grants with a requirement of 20 percent matching funds. Olsson Associates can help determine if your energy project is eligible for EECBG funding and help you be first in line when the Nebraska Energy Office issues the proposal request. For more information, contact your local Olsson Associates engineer or e-mail Chad Doane, PE, LEED AP, at cdoane@oaconsulting.com. | |
|
|
|
Around the Firm
Daryoush Razavian (Lincoln Water Resources) has been recognized by the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers Board of Trustees as having met the requirements for the Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) credential.
|
Stay in Touch with Olsson!
|
|
