Post on 15-Dec-2015
Effective Utility Management:Its All About Sustainability
NJ AEA Conference January 16, 2013
Jim Horne, U.S. EPA
EPA’s Sustainability Policy: The 3 Dimensions of Water Sector Sustainability
The “Current State” Water/wastewater utilities
are facing unprecedented challenges– aging infrastructure and
workforce– continuing regulatory
challenges– unclear prospects for future
federal funding– increasing customer and
community demands for service
– short-term perspective of elected officials
– And of course, Climate!
Economic downturn has exacerbated these challenges
Greater focus on day-to-day; less on innovation and sustainability
EUM
A Water Sector Industry EffortEffective Utility Management
(EUM)
Endorsed by the EPA and six water sector industry collaborating organizations
EUM – Historical Perspective The Beginning 2007-2008
Why and How Something to bring other utility management initiatives
together Provide a set of outcomes (Attributes) for utilities to
strive for—regardless of size In other words a “common management framework”
Not intended to be a replacement for other programs
Assembled by utilities—for utilitiesEPA and Associations were the enablers and
supporters
Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities—the 360 degree look
Effective Utility Management Primer
June 2008
“Softer” Attributes are Also CriticalStakeholder Understanding and Support -- critical for “building your case”Employee Leadership and Development -- right people, right skills, right vision -- more than technical skills needed Community Sustainability -- aligning your priorities with other
community goals -- great context for addressing climate and
resiliency challenges
What Else is Going On? WaterRF EUM Benchmarking Tool
EPA Planning for Sustainability Handbook
Effective Practices “Roadmap” (conventional and emergent models)
The Utility of the Future
Energy Management -- EPA Guidebook and Workshops
-- WEF Energy Roadmap
Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU)
WaterRF EUM Benchmarking ToolWaterRF is developing (CH2M Hill is the PI)Builds directly from the EUM primer, but is
more detailedWill allow utilities to benchmark internally or
with others based on the EUM Attributes, specific practices, and associated metrics
Tool will be beta tested by approx. 25 utilities early next year and completed in late 2013
Planning for Sustainability HandbookEffective planning is critical to EUM and long-term sustainability
EPA has developed a Handbook showing how to build sustainability into key phases of planning
Built around 4 Core Elements -- Goal setting with other
community stakeholders -- Objectives and Strategies -- Alternatives Analysis -- Financial Strategies• Webinar series now underway
Importance of Effective PracticesAdoption of effective practices is also a foundation of
EUM and sustainabilityThey make things real!EPA recently hosted meeting with leading utilities to ask
“What’s next and how can we collaborate going forward?”
Group focused on the importance of utility management practices under two models
-- Conventional model of utility management (current state for most)
-- Emergent model (where industry should be heading)• Now beginning to develop a roadmap to help utilities
adopt leading practices using both models
Conventional and Emergent Utility Management ModelsConventional EmergentCost effective response to
regulatory requirementProviding a single service—safe
drinking water/treated WWCommunity engagement
focused on direct impacts rate increases, odor,
constructionOperational strategies focused
on areas of direct control (collection to discharge)
Short-term horizons for infrastructure ROI (5-10 years)
Expanded view of services (resource recovery, total water management)
Leadership role in the community to spur economic development
Operational strategies that depend on external parties
-- GI, energy production, trading
Extended time horizons for infrastructure ROI
The Water Resource Utility of the Future: Blueprint for ActionEffort being led by NACWA, WEF, and WERFBlueprint will address key issues like: -- What is the Utility of the Future? -- What’s the business case needed to move
forward? -- What’s missing and what has to change?
(barriers, incentives, legislation, practices, etc.)
• Timing: Internal draft now under review• Final Paper: late January/early February
Energy ManagementCritical opportunity for utilities
to move toward sustainabilityEPA is promoting energy
management through our Energy Management Guidebook
WEF is promoting energy sustainability through its
Energy Roadmap• Both efforts stress the
importance of strategic planning, making the right choices, and moving forward
WEF Energy RoadmapPurpose is to help WW
utilities improve energy efficiency and move toward “zero net” energy
Organized around six topics—Strategic Management, Organizational Culture, Communications and Outreach, Demand Side Management, Energy Generation, Innovating for the Future
Describes steps and practices to get there, regardless of your starting point
Climate Ready Water Utilities
Climate Ready Process
Assess Risks and Evaluate Opportunities
Collaborate with
Partners
Research and Gather
Information
Learn Climate and Adaptation
Basics
ExploreElements of
Climate Readiness
Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool
Extreme Events
Workshop Planner
ToolboxAdaptation Strategies
GuideAdaptive Response
Framework
Climate Ready Water Utilities Webinar Training Series
Register at www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities.
Email CRWUhelp@epa.gov with questions
Webinar Topic Date
Climate Ready Water Utilities 101 January 23th
Climate Change and the Water Sector February 13th
Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) February 27th
Extreme Events Workshop Planner March 6th
Adaptation Strategies Guide March 13th
Current State and Relevance of EUMVery good—still strongly supported by original
partners and used by a growing number of utilitiesIs becoming a well accepted framework for improving
performanceEmbedded in national conferences (WEFTEC, ACE,
UMC)EUM provides a solid foundation for assessing and
improving—under either the “conventional” or “emergent” models
Also supports adaptive management as new challenges arise—e.g. Utility of the Future
So, you bet its still relevant-- now more than ever!
Bringing Things Full Circle Public Trust and transparency is the “coin of the realm” for
utilitiesMore important than ever before in the face of new
challenges like climate, etc.Sustainable water utilities are essential to a sustainable
communityThe latter can’t happen without the formerNeither can exist without building strong and lasting public
trustEffective and sustainable management is what gets you
there!
THANK YOU! horne.james@epa.gov (202) 564-0571
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/index.cfm