El Paso Sustainability Report: 22 M Tons of CO2 Equivalent Cut

Posted

El Paso Corporation reported that it has reduced emissions of 55 billion cubic feet of methane, the equivalent of 22 million tons of CO2 equivalent, through its participation in the EPA Natural Gas Star Program, according to its 2009 sustainability report.

However, the report does not identify if those cuts were on an annual or collective basis. El Paso reported that it has no targets or measures for emissions reduction.

The company highlighted reductions in lost and unaccounted for natural gas, which it reduced to a 0.039 percent loss last year from a 0.208 percent loss the year before.

It also highlighted sustainability efforts at its Houston headquarters, where energy consumption dropped to 27.86 million kwh in 2009 from 30.29 million kwh in 2008. Water consumption also declined to 28.72 million gallons in 2009, from 31.74 million gallons the previous year. The company said it is aiming for a 50 percent reduction in water use by installing low consumption water fixtures, and will be targeting a 65 percent reduction in natural gas use by replacing older boilers with energy efficient water heaters. It also plans to recycle 95 percent of its waste at the facility by 2012.

In January 2009, the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) approved and registered El Paso’s total emissions for all applicable greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants in the United States, making us the first natural gas company to obtain a complete CCAR approved greenhouse gas emissions inventory, according to the company.

El Paso reported 57,020 tons of nitrogen oxides emissions in 2008, alongside 100 tons of sulfur dioxide, but did not say how these figures compared to previous years.

The company did report progress on efforts to recycle used oil in its Pipeline Group, recycling 750,182 gallons in 2009 compared with 439,835 gallons in 2008. The company also produced less hazardous waste in 2009, falling to 429,796 pounds from 593,102 pounds in 2008.

Meanwhile, El Paso reported 14 notices of violations, 7 fines and 18 EPA Reportable Quantity Releases.

Environment + Energy Leader