Massachusetts Climate Change and Resilience within Site Assessment & Remediation

Transcription

1 Massachusetts Climate Change and Resilience within Site Assessment & Remediation EcoAdapt and the Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF) November 15, 2016 Thomas M. Potter MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Division of Policy and Program Development Clean Energy Development Coordinator Climate Change How hot will it feel? Source: NECIA/UCS, 2007 (see: 11/15/16 2 1

2 Massachusetts Mandates 2007 established Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act Comprehensive Program -> Climate Change 2020 Goal of 25 % Below 1990 GHG Levels 2050 Goal of 80% Below 1990 GHG Levels No interim limits for 2030 and Green Communities Act (GCA) Supports Development of Clean Energy Resources Expands Efforts to Promote Energy Efficiency Increased the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 1% per year Goal of 15% New Sources by /15/ Global Warming Solutions Act MITIGATION Reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 10-25% by 2020 and 80% reduction by 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 (the 2020 Plan) ADAPTATION Convene a committee and prepare a report to Legislature to: analyze strategies for adapting to the predicted impacts of climate change in the Commonwealth MA Climate Change Adaptation Report issued in /15/16 4 2

3 2011 Climate Change Adaptation Report MA Impacts & Vulnerabilities Sea Level Rise and Flooding (MA = 192 miles coastline & 1,519 tidal shoreline) Coastal inundation and storm surges Property damage and loss of natural habitats Interruption of key services Extreme Weather Events High winds, hurricanes, storm surges, waves, ice storms, flooding Reduced emergency response capacity Precipitation Changes Decreased summer, increased winter precipitation Less spring snow melt and earlier peak streamflow Current 100-year flood every 2-3 years by 2100 Extended low-flow periods, decreased summer water supply Temperature Increases Higher temps, more extreme heat 11/15/ /15/16 6 3

4 Boston s Winter of 2014/ /15/16 7 Boston 5 feet of Sea Level Rise or Surge Source: The Boston Harbor Association, /15/16 8 4

5 Boston 7.5 feet of Sea Level Rise or Surge Source: The Boston Harbor Association, /15/16 9 What Can The State Do? Evaluate state infrastructure Provide technical assistance to communities Develop and use best available science and tools Convene stakeholders to identify targets and goals Incorporate goals and targets into state requirements Plum Island, photo: Boston Globe 11/15/

6 State Activities Related to Adaptation Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Dam/Seawall Loan and Grant Program Draft MA Environmental Policy Act Adaptation Policy National Disaster Resilience Competition Department of Environmental Protection Circuit Rider for water/wastewater utilities BWSC s Emergency Response & Climate Change BWSC s Mitigation and Adaptation approaches to OHM Sites Coastal Zone Management Storm Smart Coasts Program for municipalities Green Infrastructure Grants Coastal Resiliency Grants Department of Energy Resources $25M protect against energy service interruptions Regulatory changes to encourage investment in system hardening, new communication, innovative technologies Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative 11/15/16 11 MassDEP s Bureau of Water Resources Water & Wastewater Utilities Many of the Commonwealth s drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities are gravity-fed and therefore located at low elevations, especially along the Commonwealth s 1500-mile coastline. Although this reduces the expense of pumping large volumes of water, it also makes such facilities more vulnerable to coastal and inland flooding during extreme storm events Climate change adaptation planning for Massachusetts drinking water and wastewater utilities This project, which was sponsored by 11/15/16 MassDEP through Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), focuses on how MassDEP can provide assistance to water utilities for adapting to climate-change effects such as sea-level rise, an increase in storm intensity, and rising temperatures. 12 6

7 MassDEP s - Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Waste Site Cleanup Program (Assessment & Remediation) Cleanup of Oil and Hazardous Material (OHM) Release Sites M.G.L. c. 21E Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Privatized Cleanup Program LSPs Are Decision Makers Allows Efficient Cleanup Risk Based - Flexibility in Assessment/Cleanup Regulations Only cleanup what s necessary Residential = More Commercial/Industrial = Less Must consider Current or Reasonably Foreseeable Future Uses 11/15/16 13 Assessment through Remediation Climate Change Preparedness Adaptation Release/Assessment PRA s (IRA, PHI) Remediation CRA s (PHII PHIV) Closure RAO s, ROS, AULs Mitigation 11/15/

8 Within Assessment & Remediation Mitigation and Adaptation for OHM Sites Mitigation (Implemented) Through Green and Sustainable Remediation practices, we seek to reduce GHG emissions of assessment and remediation of OHM at sites. Adaptation (ongoing) Through adaptation, we seek to ensure OHM site remedy resilience in the face of climate change impacts specific to the Northeast. 11/15/16 15 Climate Change Preparedness BWSC s Emergency Response Extreme weather events typically contribute to spills and other releases of oil and hazardous materials to the environment Flooding causes waste and fuel storage tanks to breach When our transportation infrastructure is impacted, there is an increased risk of spills from trucks and trains that transport harmful materials The Emergency Response Program at MassDEP responds to releases and threats of release of oil and hazardous materials to the environment on a 24/7 basis. assdep/climateenergy/climate/preparedness/emergen cy-response-and-climate-change.html 11/15/

9 MassDEP Mitigation Efforts ( ) GREENER CLEANUPS WORKGROUP (2012 Present) REGULATORY AMENDMANTS (June 2014) Consider eliminating/reducing impacts (Core Elements) GREENER CLEANUPS GUIDANCE (October 2014) Policy advocates use of ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups (E , November 2013) LSP TRAINING December 2014 AEHS Conference 2014, 2015, 2016 Greener Cleanups Leadership Recognition Incentive Program 11/15/16 17 MassDEP Adaptation Efforts (2016 -?) Reviewing current statutes, regulations and policies Reasonably Foreseeable Uses Remedial Action Alternatives Engaging stakeholders Evaluating our universe of regulated sites and their vulnerability to climate change impacts Open sites Active Remedial Systems Engineered Barriers Institutional Controls (e.g. AULs) 11/15/

10 Within Assessment & Remediation Reasonably Foreseeable Uses GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONDUCTING RESPONSE ACTIONS (6) In determining whether a Permanent Solution will achieve a level of No Significant Risk during any foreseeable period of time, the criteria and standards set forth in 310 CMR and any current or reasonably foreseeable uses of the siteand the surrounding environment that may be affected by oil and/or hazardous materials at the site or in the surrounding environment shall be considered. Foreseeable Use = includes a consideration of future impacts from climate change (e.g. Sea Level Rise, Flooding, Extreme Weather Events, Precipitation Changes, Temperature Increases) 11/15/16 19 Identification Within Remediation Remedial Action Alternatives Initial Screening Detailed Evaluation The comparative risks of the alternatives including on-site and off-site risks posed over the period of time required for the alternative to attain applicable remedial standards 11/15/

11 MassDEP Adaptation Efforts (2016 -?) Evaluating options for adaptation and resiliency measures: Renewable energy On-Site Power Storage Armoring Snow Load Relocation Incentive Programs? DOER MassCEC 11/15/ DOER s Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative $40 million initiative Commonwealth s broader climate adaptation and mitigation efforts Grant program focused on municipal resilience Use of clean energy technology solutions to protect communities from interruptions in energy services due to severe climate events made worse by the effects of climate change. 11/15/

12 Example: Clean Energy Resiliency 11/15/16 23 Boston University Climate Change Adaptation Project Identifying & Screening Impact Risks Research and understanding of available authoritative resources (e.g. MassDEP, USEPA & FEMA) Identification and screening of BWSC s universe of OHM sites for climate change impacts and vulnerabilities Focus on Flooding of remedial sites (e.g. PHV, ROS) Plotting sites near or within 100 & 500 year floodplains per Regional Office (e.g. Northeast) Review of site files and available resources for recommendations on adaptation measures. 11/15/16 Plotting Sites near or within 100 & 500 year floodplains (Google Earth) 24 12

13

14 GWSA Compliance 2013 Actual Emissions (most recent inventory) 19.7% below 1990 Emissions May 2016, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled that the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act requires MassDEP to promulgate new regulations that impose a limit on [greenhouse gas] emissions that may be released, limit the aggregate emissions released from each group of regulated sources or categories of sources, set emission limits for each year, and set limits that decline on an annual basis 11/15/

15 2016 Governor s Executive Order No September 16, 2016 Establishing An Integrated Climate Change Strategy For The Commonwealth Climate Change presents a serious threat to the environment and the Commonwealth s residents, communities, and economy Extreme weather events associated with climate change present a serious threat to public safety, and the lives and property of our residents 11/15/16 29 EO 569 (cont.) 1. Make new and existing efforts to mitigate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change From Government Operations Develop regional policies to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector Publish within two years of order and every 5 years after a comprehensive energy plan 11/15/

16 EO 569 (cont.) 2. MassDEP shall promulgate final regulations to meet the 2020 state emissions limit mandated by the GWSA Revise the GWSA for the MassDOT to establish declining annual aggregate emission limits Consider limits on emissions from among other sources: Leaks from the natural gas distribution system New, expanded emissions permits/approvals The transportation sector or subsets including vehicle state fleets Gas insulated switchgear Due December /15/ Secretary of Environmental Affairs and secretary of safety shall coordinate efforts across the Commonwealth to strengthen the resilience of our communities, prepare for the impacts of climate change, and to prepare for and mitigate damage from extreme weather events. Within two years publish a Climate Adaptation Plan including: Guidance and strategies for state agencies (e.g. MassDEP) and authorities, municipalities and regional planning agencies to proactively address these impacts through adaptation and resiliency measures, including guidance regarding changes to plans, bylaws regulations and policies. Within one year of this order, establish a framework for each Executive Office to assess its and its agencies (e.g. MassDEP) vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events, and to identify adaptation options for its agencies assets. Implement Climate Adaptation Plan upon completion Update Climate Adaptation Plan every 5 years. EO 569 (cont.) 11/15/

17 3. Secretary of each executive office shall designate an existing employee to serve a the secretariat s Climate Change Coordinator Planned future outreach to agencies to assess current activities EO 569 (cont.) 11/15/16 33 Climate Change Resources Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Climate Change Adaptation Governor's Executive Order No MassDEP Climate & Clean Energy Department of Energy Resources Climate Resiliency 11/15/

18 Thank You! Thomas M. Potter Clean Energy Development Coordinator MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Division of Policy & Program Development One Winter Street, 6 th Floor Boston, MA Thomas.Potter@state.ma.us Climate & Clean Energy Program Website: 11/15/