INTRODUCTION TO GREEN & SUSTAINABLE REMEDIATION: THREE APPROACHES

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTION TO GREEN & SUSTAINABLE REMEDIATION: THREE APPROACHES Dr. Jerry DiCerbo, Office of Sustainability Support (HS 21) June 2013

2 What is GSR? Definitions differ among organizations that provide guidance for GSR: Generally, GSR is: the practice of using sustainable methods to reduce environmental and social impacts of remedial cleanup and closure activities in a cost effective way 2

3 Why do GSR? Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, and DOE Order 436.1, Departmental Sustainability, require sustainability principles to be integrated into the agency s cleanup actions, and DOE s Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP) commits DOE to incorporate GSR practices into its environmental cleanup program. 3

4 Why do GSR? GSR provides many benefits to DOE and the public; the practice demonstrates performance in achieving environmental sustainability goals including: Reduces energy consumption Contributes to meeting our greenhouse gas (GHG) goals Reduces toxic air emissions Reduces polluting waste water discharges Lessens impact on ecosystems Reduces waste generation Reflects BMPs and good environmental stewardship Helps achieve public acceptance Reduces cost 4

5 Three Approaches to GSR Description Approach 1 Approach 2 Approach 3 Generally QUALITATIVE decisions that enhance the project by incorporating sustainable BMPs Decisions that are SEMI QUANTITATIVE assessments Using QUANTITATIVE software (i.e., SiteWise TM )to assess sustainable impact and life cycle cost of cleanup and closure alternatives Time Commitment Low Low Medium Medium Cost Low Low Medium Medium Intervene Anytime during cleanup or closure process Anytime during cleanup or closure process Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study leading to the Record of Decision & during the CERCLA 5 year review Example Replacing diesel fuel with low sulfur diesel or biodiesel blend for trucks and heavy equipment Instead of power lines for lighting determined that a solar lighting system would reduce impacts and cost less Using quantitative analysis to determine that use of in situ chemical injection techniques reduces energy and achieves cleanup metrics quicker than pump and treat and with less cost. 5

6 Approach 1: Qualitative Approach 1 involves decisions that are: generally qualitative relatively easy quick to implement low cost Can be implemented anytime This is a see then do application of GSR. GSR implementation at the qualitative level often involves implementing a simple, inexpensive best management practice (BMP). 6

7 Qualitative Example Re Purposing Water from Environmental Restoration Activities at Hanford Remediation Site Remediation Activity: in place closure remedy for the 221 U Facility (U Canyon, Hanford) GSR Application: Waste water generated from the cleaning of transport trucks was discharged into a pond, the solids settled out, the clean water flowed into another pond and the water was reused to clean more trucks. Result: Over 250,000 gallons of water were recycled 7

8 Approach 2: Semi Quantitative Approach 2 involves decisions made using qualitative and quantitative assessments that are more involved than the qualitative assessment of Approach 1. Can be implemented almost anytime Semi quantitative Takes more time and costs more than Approach 1. 8

9 Semi Quantitative Example Solar Power Lighting Deployed at a Hanford Remediation Site Remediation Activity: remotely located the Burial Ground GSR Application: In lieu of the original design calling for the use of conventional overhead power lines, pad mounted solar lighting was installed. Result: Minimized ground disturbance and preserved portions of the ecologically sensitive desert by eliminating the need to install 1.5km of power line and poles, Eliminated the fuel use and air emissions associated with installing the poles, Saved $850,000 in design and construction costs, Saved approximately thirty days in the overall construction schedule, and Reduced energy usage across the life cycle of the project. 9

10 Semi Quantitative Example ETTP Pond Project at Oak Ridge Project: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) containment in pond Conventional strategy: Remove and dispose of contaminated sediments GSR strategy: Create barriers and ecosystem to minimize PCB uptake by aquatic biota Benefits: Avoided removal of 108,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment; reduced cleanup and disposal costs by $8.3M Considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of cleanup actions 10

11 Approach 3: Quantitative Approach 3 takes a holistic look at cleanup and closure options. Rather than considering a single BMP or technology, several cleanup options are evaluated and compared with metrics (i.e., GHGs, energy use, water use, etc.) and total lifecycle cost (i.e., 10, 50, 100 years) to determine the most sustainable cleanup option. GSR evaluation software, such as FREE use SiteWise TM is used to calculate, evaluate, and compare the impacts of various cleanup approaches The defining characteristic of a quantitative GSR evaluation and decision is that it considers the entire project design, metrics evaluation, and life cycle cost in selecting the preferred sustainable action. 11

12 Quantitative Example Degradation of a Chlorinated Solvent Groundwater Plume with Edible Oil Injection at Savannah River Site (SRS) GSR Application: SRS evaluated the plume using the enhanced attenuation model developed by DOE and the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). GSR Application: SRS evaluated the plume using the enhanced attenuation paradigm an engineering and regulatory strategy developed by DOE and ITRC. Result: A design using a combination of technologies, including vegetable oil injection, was implemented. The contamination plume was recently degraded; the power requirements of a pump and treat system were avoided; the remediation and closure time was reduced from 30 years to 10 years; and savings of $1,000,000 annually in O&M costs were realized. 12

13 GSR Metrics for Quantification and Life Cycle Cost Estimate Priority Metrics: GHGs Criteria pollutants (SOX, NOX, PMPs, etc.) Energy consumed Water used Landfill space Waste disposal Materials used Materials recycled or reused Water use Life cycle cost

14 GSR Metrics for Quantification and Life Cycle Cost Estimate Secondary Metrics: Renewable energy conversion and credits (i.e., RECs) Safety and accident risk Truck traffic Land and ecosystem impacts Community impacts

15 What s Next for GSR? Provide more GSR training Provide sustainable evaluation training for Approach 3 using FREE software, case studies, and life cycle cost savings Draft GSR contract and incentive language for cleanup and closure projects Remedial optimization review incorporating GSR practices

16 Introduction to Green and Sustainable Remediation Thank you for your attention. Questions? Contact Information: