Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EE Magazine March / April 2009 - Index

A calculator, logbooks and piles of quickly
outdated spreadsheets and reports from
multiple systems: Most environmental
coordinators have used these or similar tools,
along with a telephone and e-mail over the
last few decades to fulfill environmental
reporting requirements. However, tough
legislation – along with savvy investors and
consumers – demand an approach that is
more systemic and formal.
Today, utility companies the world over are
being pushed from every angle to reduce
greenhouse gas and other emissions. And,
the coming years promise to be even more
challenging. Every utility executive should
be considering options – and selecting an
approach – that is both fiscally and socially
responsible to guarantee that utilities meet
growing power demands while fulfilling
societal pressure to reduce emissions and
environmental impact.
American Electric Power (AEP), with about
5.1 million customers in 11 states and
more than 38,000 megawatts of generation
capacity in the United States, is one such
LightsOn TM
utility taking a leadership role in using
information technology (IT) to improve its
greenhouse gas reporting and environmental
compliance management. This article will
introduce you to AEP’s compliance reporting
strategy and how other utilities can use IT to
boost their own reporting capabilities.
Today’s Environmental Climate
Utilities face a dynamic regulatory landscape
and the need to answer customers’ and
shareholders’ increasingly sophisticated
environmental concerns. According to
research by the HSBC Climate Partnership
released in November 008, 43 percent of
the 1,000 people from 1 countries surveyed
chose climate change ahead of the global
economy when asked about their current
concerns, despite the turmoil in the financial
markets taking place at the time. Investors
and shareholders are also expressing concern
in shareholder meetings and through
involvement in sustainable investments
funds.
A number of countries around the world have
adopted programs to reduce greenhouse gas
14 I March-April 2009 Issue
Information Technology: A Guide to
Environmental Compliance for AEP
By Lawrence Goldenhersh, Enviance,
Ray King, Microsoft, and
John McManus, AEP
Lawrence Goldenhersh ray king John mcmanus
figure 1: AEP will begin carbon capture and storage
at its Mountaineer Power Plant (New Haven, WV)
beginning fall 009.