Tampa energy company avoids regulatory waves as Hurricane Irma swells

September 19th, 2017 by Dakota Software Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency recently granted the Tampa Electric Company, which services over 730,000 customers, a No Action Assurance order, giving the utilities provider freedom to bypass numerous operational restrictions and environmental regulations. This applied to work conducted at its power generation sites so it could better respond to potential outages caused by Hurricane Irma.

The September 10 letter from Lawrence Starfield, acting EPA assistant administrator, was intended for Noah Valenstein, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the environmental health and safety director of the TEC. Starfield's letter detailed what factored into the federal agency's issuance of the order and what specific violations the company can avoid punishment for in assisting with the storm's relief efforts.

Proactive action could prevent even further hurricane damage

On September 7, the energy company contacted the FDEP and the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, requesting permission to work in avoidance of certain restrictions, according to the letter. The FDEP concurred and submitted it to the EPA.

Two days later, the State of Florida Emergency Response Team indicated the hurricane would hit the majority of the Florida peninsula. The National Weather service added the state's southwest coast would face harsh impact.

An official hurricane warning was announced for the Tampa area and, followed by a prediction of 15 possible inches of rainfall and 8-12-foot storm surges.

In a separate statement also released on September 9, the utilities company estimated power outages would affect 45 to 70 percent, or 300,000 to 500,000, of their customers in west-central Florida.

"This storm has the potential to be devastating, and our goal is a safe and efficient restoration," said Gordon Gillette, TEC president and CEO, in the statement. "We have prepared for this scenario, and we're bringing in additional resources to meet the challenge. We stand ready for Irma."

Some restrictions the company can avoid relate to the following:

• Exceeding standard emissions limits.
• Ceasing air pollution control equipment to purge parasitic loads.
• Machine malfunctions, shutdowns or damage.
• Handling of materials and alternative fuels.

The EPA's commitment to preventing punishment for the utility company's actions in the NAA order depends on a few stipulations. The company should attempt to responsibly operate under standard emissions levels and control its pollution levels as best it can. Machine repairs and maintenance done in response to damage not caused by the hurricane is not covered by the NAA.

The NAA is a temporary measure and will be canceled on September 19.