2012 Reenergize the Americas 5A: Luis Perez
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This document discusses two key environmental topics: aviary and asbestos. It provides information on which bird species are protected under laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the penalties for violating these acts. The document also defines asbestos, explains where it can be found, and why it poses health concerns if fibers are inhaled from damaged or friable asbestos-containing materials. Proper handling and identification of asbestos is important for construction and demolition work on older buildings and sites.
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2012 Reenergize the Americas 5A: Luis Perez
- 1. Environmental Awareness for Installation/Renewable Energy Projects Luis Perez UTEP Regional Energy and Cyber Security Center lgperez@utep.edu
- 2. Two Environmental Subjects of Concern • Aviary • Asbestos • And a whole range of other topics we won’t get to today… • PCB awareness • Spill prevention control • Universal waste • And much more... Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 2
- 3. Which Birds are Protected? A LOT of species…full list at http://www.fws.gov/migrato rybirds/RegulationsPolicies /mbta/mbtandx.html Includes various eagles, hawks, herons, owls, and many more NOT protected includes pigeons, starlings, sparrows, and numerous others Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 3
- 4. Aviary • Laws and Regulations • U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife • State overseers (e.g., Texas Parks & Wildlife, New Mexico Game and Fish) • Protected Bird Acts • Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act (Under extremely stringent regulation) • Endangered Species Act • Migratory Bird Treaty Act Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 4
- 5. Protected Bird Acts and Penalties • The Protected Bird Species Act was created to ensure protection of migratory birds, their parts, nests, and eggs • The act makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, transport, possess, sell, or purchase any migratory birds • $15,000 – $250,000 per individual (You) • $15,000 - $500,000 per organization • 6 months – 2 years incarceration (You) • The act offers a $2,500 per person award to anyone who provides information leading to a violator’s arrest • Just as IOU and municipally-owned utilities have reporting requirements, so too will installations and renewable energy producers delivering energy via Power Purchase Agreements Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 5
- 6. Asbestos Awareness According to the EPA’s definition, asbestos is “the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts. The Toxic Substances Control Act defines asbestos as the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile (serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite (cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and actinolite.” Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 6
- 7. Where is Asbestos and Why the Concern? Where? Just about everywhere Why the concern? Friable versus non-friable Inhalation can lead to severe and potentially terminal lung damage (asbestosis or mesothelioma) Symptoms may lie dormant for decades New construction for renewable projects is unlikely to encounter asbestos-related issues, but re-use/re-model or destruction of existing sites, particularly those built before 1989, must have a plan to address asbestos Copyright @ The University of Texas at El Paso 7