Climate Challenge Participation Accord

DOE's Energy Partnerships for a Strong Economy

This Participation Accord describes the commitments that Ohio Edison Company (OEC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have made to participate in the Climate Challenge Program in pursuit of the President's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Challenge Program is a joint, voluntary effort of DOE and the electric utility industry to reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. The framework of the Climate Challenge Program was established in the Climate Challenge Program Memorandum of Understanding and exhibits thereto dated April 20, 1994 (the Climate Challenge Program MOU) (see Attachment A to this Participation Accord).

Ohio Edison and its subsidiary, Pennsylvania Power Company, serve 1.1 million customers in a 9,000-square-mile area of northeastern and central Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Of the system's 5,749 megawatts of generating capacity, 76 percent is coal-fired, 21 percent is nuclear and 3 percent is oil-fired.

Ohio Edison has made a significant commitment to environmental protection, spending more than $2.5 billion since 1975. For example, at the Bruce Mansfield Plant, Ohio Edison built the first and still one of the largest sulfur dioxide scrubber systems in North America. Also, Ohio Edison has participated in more projects under the DOE's Clean Coal Technology Program than any other utility in the United States.

I. Utility Commitments

A.
Consistent with paragraph II.B.1 a. and f. of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, OEC will undertake the following specific projects or actions, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to two industry initiatives:

1.

Undertake Supply-Side Efficiency Improvements

Supply-side efficiency improvements will be made through a number of measures at OEC's fossil-fueled power plants which include turbine modifications, installation of enhanced boiler controls, and the shutdown of a number of coal-fired, non-reheat units including: Edgewater 11 and 12; Gorge 25 and 26; New Castle 1 and 2; and Toronto 9, 10 and 11. An estimated maximum of 800,000 tons of CO₂ per year savings is anticipated.

2.
Install Artificially Intelligent (AI) Control Systems on Select Boilers

The use of AI control systems on select boilers provides a dual benefit in terms of reducing NOX emissions and maximizing combustion efficiency. From 1994 through 2000, the Ohio Edison System will install AI control systems on all the coal-fired boilers at two power plants. These are the Bruce Mansfield Plant (Boilers 1-3) and the New Castle Plant (Boilers 3-5). An estimated maximum of 160,000 tons of CO₂ per year savings is anticipated.

3.
Convert Edgewater Boiler No. 13 from Coal to Gas/Oil

In 1994, a coal to gas/oil conversion of the OEC Edgewater 13 boiler was made. In addition to a reduction of traditional pollutants in changing operation from coal to gas/oil, significant reductions in CO₂ emissions are also realized.

An estimated 80,000 tons of CO₂ per year savings is anticipated.

4.
Conduct Industry-Wide Projects

OEC will undertake the following industry initiatives:

• Utility Forest Carbon Management Program A minimum commitment of $100,000 per year to the Utility Forest Carbon Management Program.
• National Earth Comfort Program

  A commitment of $50,000 per year through 1999 to the National Earth Comfort Program.

5.
Undertake Demand-Side Management

OEC, since January 1, 1991, has undertaken a number of DSM measures which include the projects indicated below. In the future, greater emphasis will be placed on these projects and on adding new projects to the DSM menu. Quantification of the energy and CO₂ savings of the DSM program can be better made at that time.

• Electrotechnologies: This project targets specific industries which would benefit from higher efficiencies and energy savings using electrotechnologies. Examples of these applications are: induction melting and heating, infrared drying/heating, microwave and radio frequency drying, ultraviolet drying/curing, and resistance heating.

• High-Efficiency Lighting: The goal of this project is to provide information and recommendations on high-efficiency lighting systems for new construction and for retrofitting to existing systems. Allowances and other supporting activities will be used to promote conservation of energy use.

• High-Efficiency Motors: This project promotes the use of efficient motors and adjustable speed drive systems by evaluating existing information on successful applications of this equipment and providing this information along with recommendations to existing and potential customers.

• Cycled Air Conditioning: Under a cycled air conditioning project, central air conditioning units are cycled on and off during summer peak energy periods. Radio signal controls are used to cycle these units during these times. A reduction in residential load of approximately 0.8 KW per unit is anticipated using cycled air conditioning.
6.
Undertake Other Projects

The following is a list of projects that are already underway which reduce greenhouse gases either directly or indirectly through providing energy savings:

• Tree Source: Tree Source is a program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which began in July 1992. The goal is to have an annual planting and maintenance program of 15 million trees by Arbor Day of each year. Participation in the Tree Source Program is done by private corporations, government agencies, community organizations and individuals.

  Ohio Edison's participation has been in providing thousands of ornamental (power line friendly) trees yearly, free of charge, to its customers for residential planting. In the first year of OEC's participation, 15,000 trees were provided to our customers. Since then, through 1995, OEC has or will provide 20,000 trees, annually. A commitment beyond 1995 has not yet been determined.

• Refrigerator Recycling: This program encourages customers to turn-in their working, second refrigerators to reduce consumer operating costs and energy demand impacts on the Company. The refrigerators are transported to a processing center where the chlorofluorocarbons are removed and recycled, and PCB capacitors are safely destroyed. The refrigerator is then taken to a metal reprocessing center.
• Fly Ash Substitution for Portland Cement: The use of fly ash as a substitute for portland cement reduces CO₂ emissions significantly due to the savings in calcination of limestone and from the combustion of fossil fuels associated with the production of new cement. OEC has since January 1, 1991, significantly increased the amount of fly ash sold for the manufacture of portland cement and will attempt to maximize sales into the future consistent with the specifications and demand of the cement industry for this material.
The net result of the above measures will achieve approximately 1 million tons (short) of CO₂ reduction per year when fully implemented by the year 2000. (Note: Tons reduction from items 4, 5 and 6 are not accounted for in this total due to quantification uncertainty).
B.
OEC will report annually on activities and achievements under the Climate Challenge Program. Results achieved during each year shall be reported in a clear and understandable manner that is consistent with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subsection 1605(b) Energy Policy Act and the Climate Challenge accounting protocols in Exhibit B of the Climate Challenge Program MOU. The first such report may include a description of the activities and achievements of OEC prior to its becoming a participant in the Program, expressed on an annual basis to the extent possible.
C.
OEC will confer with DOE on or before July 1, 1997, to evaluate jointly the progress of the OEC in achieving its Climate Challenge Program goals and to discuss possible adjustments to its voluntary commitments.
D.
The Climate Challenge Program representative for OEC will be:

                Mr. Howard C. Couch, Jr.
                Manager, Technical Services Department 
                Ohio Edison Company
                76 S. Main St. 
                Akron, OH  44308
                (216) 384-5753
                (216) 384-5433

OEC agrees to notify DOE prior to or, in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in the contact.

A.
DOE's commitments to OEC are those set out in Section III of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated in this Participation Accord by reference.
B.
DOE will consider OEC requests to intervene in regulatory proceedings of federal, state and local commissions and boards on issues pertinent to the Climate Challenge Program. Before DOE intervenes in regulatory and other proceedings pertaining to OEC for purposes of addressing Climate Challenge Program issues, it will provide notice to OEC.
C.
DOE will provide an annual report to OEC describing the actions that it has taken to fulfill its commitments under Section III and Exhibit C of the Climate Challenge Program MOU and the results of those actions.
D.
The Climate Challenge Program representative for DOE, who will serve as liaison to OEC, will be:

              Name:               Allan Hoffman
              Company:            U.S. Department of Energy
                                  Room 6B-128  (EE-10)
              Address:            1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
              City, State:        Washington, D.C.  20585
              Telephone Number:   (202)  586-1786

DOE agrees to notify OEC prior to or, in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in liaison responsibilities or personnel.

A.
Use of DOE-developed materials by OEC will be governed by provisions of Section IV of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated in this Participation Accord by reference.

B.
In addition to the foregoing provisions, DOE and OEC agree to act in accordance with the principles set out in Section I of the Climate Challenge Program MOU and the general provisions set out in subsections V.A-V.D, V.F and V.G of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
C.
Either party may withdraw from this Participation Accord or any of its activities under the Climate Challenge Program without penalty and without being subject to remedies at law or equity.

February 3, 1995

(Original signed by)
____________________________________
Secretary of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy

February 3, 1995

Attachment:

Attachment A -- Climate Challenge Program MOU and exhibits

Please send comments to:
Lawrence.Mansueti@hq.doe.gov