Case Studies

IBM, Yorktown Heights, NY

Strategic Evaluation of Options to Comply with NOx RACT Rule.

CCES performed an evaluation of strategic options to enable the Thomas J. Watson Research Center to comply with the upcoming NOx RACT Rule. The facility currently combusts No. 6 fuel oil, whose measured emissions may not comply with the revised rule’s future requirements. Regulatory and economic impacts were analyzed. Proposed strategies included fuel switching, de-rating, and boiler upgrades. IBM received several useful options to give them reasonable choices to comply with this rule.

United Nations, New York, NY

Green Building Evaluation.

Marc Karell managed the peer review and recommendations for enhancement of the green building and energy efficiency proposals that were incorporated into the billion dollar capital master plan of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. An assessment of the building’s performance against the LEED rating system was undertaken. The team recommended about 20 design and operational changes into the final design or the headquarters’ renovation. The UN accepted nearly all of them.

Koppers Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

Multifacility, Global Baseline GHG Emissions Inventory.

Marc Karell performed a baseline GHG emissions inventory for several dozen manufacturing facilities located in different countries and continents. He developed a data collection tool that allowed facility managers to collect appropriate data applicable to GHG emission calculations. Marc completed the baseline GHG emission calculations in terms of both absolute and normalized emissions based on the specific functions of each facility, and developed a report cataloging the data and procedures and recommending a variety of potential strategies to cost-effectively reduce GHGs.

Jacksonville Airport Authority, Jacksonville, FL

Baseline GHG Emissions Inventory and Strategic Program Approach.

Marc Karell managed the technical team that performed a baseline GHG emissions inventory for all four JAA-operated airports. He managed the effort to plan the strategic approach toward sustainability for a diverse group of managers, gather appropriate data, calculate baseline GHG emissions, and recommend a variety of strategies to cost-effectively reduce GHGs.

East River Housing Corporation, New York, NY

Boiler Upgrade, Cleaner Fuel Switching, Title V Permitting and Reporting.

Climate Change & Environmental Services (CCES) announces their involvement in the successful conversion of the boilers at East River Housing (ERH), a 2,600-unit apartment complex located in lower Manhattan from burning heavy No. 6 fuel oil to burning cleaner and significantly less expensive natural gas. CCES served as the chief environmental engineer and the construction manager for the project.

ERH completed the conversion of its first boiler to natural gas in late February 2012. During its first full-month of operation, ERH determined that two-thirds or 215,000 fewer gallons No. 6 oil was burned in March of this year as compared to March 2011. While a milder winter accounted for roughly 20 percent of this reduction, the switch to natural gas resulted in an estimated savings of about $400,000 in energy expenses in just one month. New York City is currently requiring buildings to discontinue the use of heavy No. 6 fuel oil. Natural gas is lighter, cleaner, and currently significantly less expensive than heating oils. Many property owners have experienced significant cost savings of 20 percent or more. As part of New York City’s Clean Heat campaign, the City is making it easier for building owners to make the switch.

Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties, Elizabeth, NJ

Emissions inventory of a municipal wastewater treatment plant, air permitting.

Marc Karell managed and performed a major project for the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties, a major wastewater treatment plant in Elizabeth, NJ. Marc provided a list of all equipment that potentially emit regulated pollutants. Using plant-developed data and recognized techniques, Marc estimated worst-case short-term and annual emissions from each source approved by the NJDEP.

US Power Generating Company, New York, NY

Strategies to Address Climate Change.

Marc Karell led a team that provided USPG strategic advice on how to address climate change issues and developed strategies for the firm’s senior leaders to identify potential exposures affecting the firm’s core business (i.e., regulatory, fuel use, financial, etc.). A climate change diagnostic was presented enabling the firm’s leaders to understand and self-assess on several critical issues. The effort resulted in USPG developing a focused climate change program, saving them much time and resources.

St. Lawrence Cement, Greenport, NY

Environmental Permitting for Controversial Project.

Marc Karell was on the technical team that led the effort for St. Lawrence Cement to obtain environmental permits to construct a new, large cement manufacturing facility in an environmentally-sensitive area of New York. Having studied regulatory limits and best practices at other cement facilities, Marc developed strategies to minimize emissions and impacts. Marc also provided support documents reviewed by regulatory agencies and supported the company’s litigation and public relations efforts. The USEPA and NYSDEC subsequently approved the proposed controls and emission rates as meeting and exceeding all air quality regulatory requirements.

Village of Milltown, NJ

Support for Development of Carbon Footprint.

In order to determine the municipality’s carbon footprint, CCES prepared data collection sheets to determine energy usage and GHG emissions from businesses, government operations, and residents. The results were presented at a town hall meeting to educate residents and businesses on the benefits of adopting green practices. The forum also provided easy-to-implement tips to reduce energy use, GHG emissions, and save money.