Operations Committee Meeting Summary

(January 21, 2000 -- Atlanta)

Attending: Ron Methier, Winston Smith, Bruce Bayle, Leslie Montgomery, Ira Silverberg, Paul Muller, John Bunyak, Linda Anderson-Carnahan, Don Barger, Steve Gossett, Pat Brewer, Fred Durham, Kevin Snape, John Jansen, Mike Teague, Diana Andrews, Brock Nicholson, Phil Brantley, Alan Klimek, Gene Trisko, Barry Stephens, Jan Berry, Ken Barrett, Jim Joy, Tom Elmore, Don Shepherd, John Daniel

Effects Briefing

Paul Muller provided an overview of the approach that the Effects Subcommittee intends to take for effects modeling. Jim Joy described the importance of having information that will be useful in describing effects to state executives and legislators, particularly with regard to consequences, costs and where the benefits will accrue on a state-by-state basis. John Bunyak urged state action based on SAMI recommendations instead of waiting for subsequent modeling efforts. Barry Stephens recommended an initial focus on Class I areas and then a look at secondary benefits outside the Class Ones.

Strategy Development

Brock Nicholson presented the status of strategy development. Winston Smith indicated that no strategy seems to test the controls that EPA expects to be applied in the near future. NOx reductions to 0.1lb/mbtu and 100% scrubbing by 2010 should be tested. John Daniel emphasized the need for good benefits information. Gene Trisko recommended a cap and trade strategy. John Bunyak emphasized the importance of keeping track of trading hot spots where credits are used instead of emission reductions.

PAC Incentives Project

Kevin Snape presented work that the PAC is doing to support strategy development by the PC in the area of demand management and incentive-based controls for energy conservation and transportation. He gave several examples of situations where incentive systems can be effective and may result in significant emissions reductions. Several OC members expressed interest in the outcome of this work.

TOC Chair

Ron Methier reported that Jack Taylor is willing to serve as TOC chair if EPA continues to provide the contracts management assistance that Doug Neeley provided.

Morbidity/Mortality Discussion

Don Barger views leaving morbidity out of the socioeconomic analysis as a "fatal flaw" in the Integrated Assessment. John Bunyak and Winston Smith expressed their agencies' agreement with this concern. After a lengthy discussion the OC agreed to stay with the Charlottesville decision to follow the SE Workgroup recommendation on the topics to analyze in the socioeconomic element of the Integrated Assessment.

Georgia Pacific SEP

Winston Smith indicated that the TVA Kingston proposal is probably not acceptable. He recommended returning the funds to Georgia Pacific. He agreed with Don Barger that the $150k for the GSMNP could still be spent there. Ron Methier requested a formal response so SAMI can proceed to meet its obligations under the agreement.

Adjournment