BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS

July 25, 2013

“GHG Compliance Strategies, Reduction Technologies and Measurement”

MICHAEL OBEITER AND KRISTIN MEEK – WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE (WRI)

BIOS:

Michael Obeiter is a Senior Associate with WRI’s Climate and Energy Program. As a member of the US Climate Objective, he works to advance climate and clean energy policies at the national level.

Prior to joining WRI, Michael was the analyst for energy and environment for the Senate Budget Committee. During his time on the Committee, he was responsible for all energy- and environment-related programs in the Congressional budget resolution, as well as for analyzing all other legislation in those areas for budgetary effects. Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, he tracked regional, national and international climate policy and market developments as Research Manager for World Energy Solutions, an energy trading firm. He has also worked as an Associate in the climate change practice at ICF International, and as a Utility Analyst for Harvard University.

Michael has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and history from Williams College, and a master’s degree in international economics and international environmental and energy policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Kristin Meek is an Associate in the Climate and Energy Program at the World Resources Institute. She supports WRI’s efforts with U.S. states and U.S. federal agencies as they work together and in parallel to develop programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Prior to joining WRI, Kristin worked with SAIC’s climate change services team where she focused on a wide-range of GHG management projects for federal government agencies, local governments, and private sector entities. Projects included supporting the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s national inventory of greenhouse gases, EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and the EPA Climate Leaders Program, researching issues related to new and existing carbon offsets project types, and developing community-level GHG inventories for cities and counties across the country.

Kristin holds a B.S. in environmental studies from Gettysburg College and a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, where she focused on global environmental change.

ABSTRACT: Despite recent press reports highlighting the drop in energy-related CO2 emissions in the last five years, the U.S. is not on track to meet its international commitment of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. Last month, President Obama announced a national climate action plan designed to put the country on a trajectory to meet that commitment. Our presentation will focus on what the plan must include in order to make the President's goal a reality, and some of the compliance mechanisms available for the power sector to meet forthcoming emissions standards.

ANDREW SHROADS – SANFORD COHEN AND ASSOCIATES (SC&A, Inc.)

BIO: Andrew D. Shroads, QEP is the Regional Director for SC&A, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in environmental compliance, nuclear licensing, and radiological sciences. His primary focus is on developing compliance and training programs for air quality and greenhouse gas laws and reviewing the environmental impacts of nuclear and energy development projects. Over the past 14 years, he has worked in a steel mill, as the Chief Inspector for the Division of Air Quality, and as an environmental consultant. He uses his strong understanding of air quality and greenhouse gas rules to keep his clients ahead of developing regulations.

ABSTRACT: Greenhouse Gas Limits on New Electric Generating Facilities: First Strike

The Obama Administration has proposed a nation-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy. A key component is GHG emissions limits for electric generating utilities, through a new regulation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although the regulation currently focuses on GHG emissions limits for new electric generating facilities, the regulation will have a much broader impact on the federal operating permit program, requirements for untested control technologies, and existing electric generating facilities.

 

JIM STAUDT – ANDOVER TECHNOLOGIES

BIO: Dr. Staudt has over 30 years of experience with power generation and energy technology, with the last two decades focusing primarily on air pollution control and clean energy.  His client base includes electric power companies, government agencies, suppliers of air pollution control and monitoring equipment, and investors in technology companies.

Dr. Staudt is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy.  He also has a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Dr. Staudt received a 2007 US EPA Science and Technology Achievement Award.  He has published numerous articles

ABSTRACT: Greenhouse Gas Reductions from the Power and Portland cement sectors Jim Staudt will provide a brief status of where power plant GHG requirements are and what may be possible scenarios for future GHG standards.  In addition, he will review the status of various technologies for GHG mitigation in the power and cement sectors to include the status of CCS, its cost and viability, and some thoughts on possible disruptive technologies that could change the picture for GHG mitigation and the forecasts for various energy sources.

ROGER MANTELLA – SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

BIO: Roger Mantella is a partner in the Environmental Practice Group at Sidley Austin LLP. He rejoined Sidley Austin LLP after serving as the General Counsel of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, concluding 10 years of litigating and handling complex environmental and natural resource matters at the Department of Justice and EPA.

Mr. Martella’s practice focuses on three primary areas. First, Mr. Martella advises companies on developing strategic approaches to achieve their goals in light of rapidly developing demands to address climate change, promote sustainability, and utilize clean energy. Second, Mr. Martella handles a broad range of environmental and natural resource litigation and mediation. Third, Mr. Martella advises multinational companies on compliance with environmental laws in the United States, China, the European Union, and other nations.

ABSTRACT: “GHG Compliance Strategies, Reduction Technologies and Measurement”

Roger Martella will discuss the rapidly changing regulatory framework for greenhouse gases in the United States.  Recently, the President announced a definitive schedule for controlling greenhouse gases from new and existing power plants before the end of the administration that will fundamentally change the dynamics of the nation's fossil fuel utility fleet.  Such standards and rules are also likely to be applied to other sectors such as petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, and cement production.  This discussion will focus on the schedule for upcoming rules, the scope and nature of standards that are likely to be proposed, and the impacts on such standards on energy and manufacturing.