Blog | FirmoGraphs, LLC

Power Generation and Supply Monthly Roundup, July 2019

Written by FirmoGraphs Staff | Aug 1, 2019 9:55:03 PM

We're pleased to launch the first of our series of Monthly Roundups for different industries including power, water and coal ash. We hope you'll enjoy out first power generation and supply monthly roundup featuring top news and drivers in the industry on a monthly basis.

Industry Drivers

Each month we share a subset of key industry drivers that we feel are of particular importance, with an emphasis on those related to our curated data.  

Driver:  EPA Proposed Approval of Georgia Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program

In June the U.S. Federal EPA proposed to approve Georgia’s CCR permit program.  This would make Georgia the second state under the WIIN Act to have a state-administered program.  As the primary operator of coal-fired power plants in the state, this driver primarily impacts the Southern Company.  

From the Ash Mart, we estimate this to impact approximately:

  • 23 surface impoundments and landfills
  • 59 million cubic yards of CCR Material
  • 1,800 Acres of Final Cover

A public hearing will be held on August 6, 2019, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The public comment period ends on August 27, 2019, and we expect there to be substantial third-party commentary.   

For additional information, see:

Driver:  Illinois Pollution Control Board Decision

The Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) issued the following two decisions on June 20:

  1. Changing air pollution controls, 
  2. Mandating retirements within Vistra Energy's coal generation fleet

IPBC also agreed with climate advocates in a lawsuit regarding the groundwater contamination by four coal plants owned by a subsidiary of NRG Energy.

Vistra is directed by the order to retire 2 GW of coal generation by the end of the year 2019. The IPCB order portrays the current trend in the US where states are strengthening air pollution regulations.

For additional information, see:

 

Driver:  EPA’s Proposed Modifications Relating to Utility Coal Ash Sites

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed changes to the federal coal ash rule signed July 29th that would eliminate onsite dry storage requirements as well as environmental protections on fill projects larger than 12,400 tons.  It is proposed to establish an alternate risk-based groundwater protection standard for boron.  Also of note, there would be changes to CCR website requirements and some reporting requirements with the intent of making information more publicly accessible.

Onsite Storage:  The reason this matters is that it will give owner/operators additional flexibility and options in terms of how they manage coal ash materials.  This would provide welcome relief to organizations seeking to maximum the beneficial use of coal ash. 

CCR Websites:  The EPA is addressing comments about certain owner/operator websites that could be more-easily accessed by the public.  

Boron GWPS:  The alternate risk-based groundwater protection standard (GWPS) for boron would be finalized only if boron is ultimately added to the list of Appendix IV.  This is the list of constituents where corrective action is required if there is a statistically significant level (SSL) detected in groundwater.  

For additional information, see:

 

Notable M&A

As per FirmoGraphs’ records, the following  M&A transactions in the Power Generation and Supply Industry, stand out in the month of June:

  • Capital Power Corporation bought Goreway Power Station Holdings Inc. (an 875 megawatt (MW) natural gas combined cycle generation facility) from JERA and Toyota Tsusho Corporation for $387 million. 
  • Duquesne Light Holdings ("DLH") acquired Efficiency Network, Inc. ("TEN"), provider of customized energy solutions for large businesses, governments, universities and hospital systems.
  • HOP Energy, LLC (“HOP”), the largest privately-owned specialty distributor of heating oil, propane, and other petroleum products, acquired Kosco Heritage Energy, LLC (“KHE”).
  • Castleton Commodities International (CCI) acquired Sherbino I Wind Farm, which owns and operates Sherbino I wind energy facility Pecos County, Texas, through one of its subsidiaries.

Meeting Planner

In this over-digitized age, there is no replacement for face-to-face meetings with your prospects and customers!  We track meetings of interest to our customers serving the US power generation and supply industry so you won’t miss upcoming meetings and deadlines.  

August 2019 Meetings

Early Registration Deadlines

Call for Papers Deadlines

  • Event: IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition
    Association: IEEE Power & Energy Society
    URL: https://www.ieeet-d.org/IEEE20/public/enter.aspx
    Dates: From April 20 to April 23, 2020
    Location: McCormick Place, Chicago
    Call for Papers Deadline: August 5, 2019

Disclaimer

None of the information we provide may be taken as legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you require a legal interpretation of this information. 

Any information contained on this website or within any attachments is offered without representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness and FirmoGraphs, LLC cannot be held responsible for loss or damage caused by errors, omission, misprints or your misinterpretation of such information. Seek competent professional advice prior to relying on or utilizing such information in any manner as any such use is at your own risk.