Climate Resilience at the - PowerPoint Presentation

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Climate Resilience at the Department of Energy

Josh SilvermanActing Director Office of Environmental Protection, Sustainability Support, and Corporate Safety Analysis2016 ASP Workshop September 19-22, 2016

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Talk OutlineUpdates on DOE climate preparedness and policy initiativesOMB/CEQS-1Climate Assessment insights from PNNL and HanfordSlide3

“The impacts of climate change—including an increase in prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, more heavy downpours, an increase in wildfires, more severe droughts, permafrost thawing, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise—are already affecting communities, natural resources, ecosystems, economies, and public health

across the Nation.” (EO 13693)Some impacts are clearly evident at many DOE sitesMotivationSlide4

Recognition that DOE is providing federal leadership in climate change characterization, mitigation and adaptationRecognition of progress on incorporating climate adaptation into site operations, but suggested plan, including schedule and milestones, to complete vulnerability assessments of all DOE field sitesPlan had already been set in motion at the request of Secretary Moniz

Results of DOE/OMB Meeting on Climate Adaptation (July 2016)Slide5

Desire for DOE – where appropriate – to incorporate adaptation into:Broader mission & programsM&O contractsTribal Energy ProgramEmergency response guidanceFlood & wildfire guidanceAdditional Guidance from OMBSlide6

Initiate vulnerability screenings at all sites and offices that manage real property; to be completed no later than 1 year from issuance of guidance (sites already with completed full assessments

will be exempt)Establish a schedule for full assessments where significant vulnerabilities are identifiedBegin integrating climate-resilient design and updating design standards for renovations and new constructionIncorporate the cost of these efforts into budget requestsForm high-level steering committee to coordinate implementationProposed S1 Memo on Climate PreparednessSlide7

Vulnerability Screening: a preliminary characterization of the vulnerability of a site to probable projected climate change impacts, with the goal of assessing if a site currently A) needs further assessment and study or B) is found to be at a low risk to probable projected climate impacts.Vulnerability Assessment: an assessment characterizing the vulnerability of a site to probable projected climate change impacts, typically following a framework which examines the level of risk to assets, infrastructure, and/or mission of the particular site, with the goal of informing future site actions and plans.

DefinitionsSlide8

Full Vulnerability Assessments have been completed at seven DOE sites: -INL, TJNAF, NREL, PNNL, SRS, Moab, HanfordAssessments are in progress at four additional sites:

-SPR, LBNL, ANL, LANLVulnerability Screening has been completed at one site: -WIPP Current ProgressSlide9

Vulnerability screenings at remaining sitesFocused full vulnerability assessments – where needs are identifiedSite outreach to local gov’t agencies/communities/tribal groupsCost comparison for screenings & assessmentsAdaptation considerations in financial assistance, contracts and M&O contractsApply learned site vulnerabilities into action plans and construction designUse Steering Committee to discuss challenges, barriers, timelines, and implementation of memo guidance

Future ActionsSlide10

Assessment results will be integrated into site plans, campus strategies, Environmental Management Systems, and associated planning documents at the site levelOne or more sites will be studied for potential cost and risk to DOE mission associated with agency operations that do not incorporate climate adaptation measuresAdditional ActionsSlide11

Vulnerability Assessments at PNNL and HanfordSlide12

12Climate Resilience Planning ProcessSlide13

Climate Resilience Planning Framework13

ImpactsVulnerability of Core SystemsSensitivity

Adaptive capacity

Climate Exposures

Past and current

Future

Adaptation Plans

Reinforce existing measures

Identify new measures

Integrate into operations

Monitor change

Significance for Mission & Operations

Mission attainment

Operating/maintenance costs

System reliability

Safety

Adapted

from

Moss et al, 2016.

http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/1240754

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A Tale of Two DOE Sites…that share a border

Completing the safe cleanup of the Hanford Site and support the transition to post-cleanup activities

1 mi

2

, developed and agric. land

4,400 employees

89 buildings, f

ootprint growing

Lab-intensive facilities

PNNL Site

Hanford Site

Advancing the frontiers of science and addressing some of the most challenging problems in energy, the environment and national securitySlide15

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Climate Exposures of Concern at Site LevelSlide16

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Core Systems & Infrastructure Assessed for VulnerabilitySlide17

17Review of Plans,

Procedures & AssessmentsSlide18

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Key Internal Stakeholders

Sustainability Program

Climate & Earth Scientists

Facilities/Campus Planning

Facilities Engineering

Energy Management

Water & Sewer Management

Facilities & Grounds Maintenance

Ecological / Environmental Health

Worker Safety & Health

IT Services

Emergency Services

Targeted Stakeholder Engagement

May use/benefit from

site vulnerability

assessment

Make decisions that influence site vulnerability

Knowledge of

climate

impacts and ownership of sustainability

planningSlide19

19Risk Categorization: PNNL

What PNNL systems are most likely to be affected by climate change in ways that pose risks to mission or operations?Slide20

20Risk Categorization: Hanford

What Hanford systems are most likely to be affected by climate change in ways that pose risks to mission or operations?Slide21

21PNNL Vulnerability Assessment Example:Impact of High Temperatures on Buildings

Increased degradation rate of building exterior and HVAC

Increased costs for energy use and facility maintenance; Setbacks and evaporative cooling will be less effective

Higher initial cost of building (envelope, HVAC)

Utility could limit power distribution if taxed by higher demand/lower supply

Assessment

New Measures

VulnerabilitiesSlide22

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High temperatures increase potential for heat stress on outdoor workers (high)

Worker productivity, work schedules, and costs are affected by more frequent enactment of heat stress management procedures (high)

Hanford Vulnerability Assessment Example:

Impact of High Temperatures on Worker Health & Safety

(& Restrictions)

Outdoor workers are primarily at tank

farms, remediation sites,

building demolition and construction sites

Contractors have Heat Stress Control Procedures in place, which manage risk for different work conditions including use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Control strategies (e.g. 50/50 work rest regimens, tropical shifts) protect worker health and safety but impact schedule; can require more workers

Have 3 year baseline of wet bulb globe temp (WBGT) data, but not examined for trends

Vulnerabilities

New Measures

Implement centralized data collection of heat-related activity restrictions (days exceeding WBGT work limits)

and

assess impacts

on

long-term basis

Explore increased use of robotics and automation in jobs subject to heat stress

Investigate new types of PPE to prevent overheating in outdoor workers

AssessmentSlide23

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Stakeholder engagement strategy should be site and topic-specific

A well-planned data collection strategy improves the process

Make it participatory, but expert-driven - let core system representatives prioritize those actions that they’ll own

Integrate resilience planning as an immediate follow-up to vulnerability assessment

Don’t end the process without establishing real metrics to monitor and a plan for reviewing changes in vulnerability

Resilience Planning

Lessons LearnedSlide24

ConclusionLANL:

“Broad impacts require integrated planning at a level not previously considered”“Prevention is less expensive than emergency response”Slide25

Thank you!Questions? Comments?Contact:Josh.silverman@hq.doe.gov

(202) 586-653425