MAIN INITIATIVES 2018

  1. Provide additional innovation and technical advisory services for CALM Initiative members including stabilization roads, dewatering, in-situ stabilization (ISS), geotubes and dewatering bags, geotextiles and geogrids, surface and soil treatments and super absorbent polymers, advanced remediation technologies (ART) and wide variety of water treatment and runoff water reduction measures.   We expect work more closely with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in 2018 to provide field demonstration of several innovative technologies started by EPRI in 2016 – 2017.
  2. Ash Basin Safety Awareness Courses — 20-hour Supervisor and On-site 8-hour Worker Safety Courses:   Safety when working over soft/wet ash will continue to be an issue in 2018.   The CALM Initiative provides practical training courses to promote worker safety and “train the trainer” supervisor training to allow its member companies to train their on-site workers and safety personnel.  The 8-hour worker safety course can be hosted at CALM members project sites.
  3. Task Force Groups and Utility Only Meetings:  Starting in 2018 the CALM Initiative will host several Task Force group calls and meeting in areas requested by CALM members.  These focus areas are expected to include, but are not limited to:  a)  encapsulation and paste technology and equipment selection, b)  technology transfer meetings,  c) input on State CCR regulations, and d)  hybrid closure technology including close-in-place and in-situ stabilization methods.
  4. Emphasis on Bench Scale Testing and Practical Field Application:   The CALM Initiative has obtained access to several bench scale and pilot test devices that can be mobilized to the field to treat CCR wastewater, and stabilize saturated industry waste materials.  One of the key initiatives in 2018 will include a streamlined approach to bringing new technologies to the field for application and testing.   The streamlined approach will leverage the resources of the Energy & Environment Innovative Foundation lab and several CALM Initiative members to reduce costs.
  5. Assistance with Clarifying Confusion in Regulatory Guidelines:   One of the frustrations expressed by the Industry Partners is that the intersection between Federal and State regulatory guidelines is often not clear when it comes to closure of CCR impoundments, and/or beneficial use of CCR materials.   To address this item the CALM Initiative will develop practical testing and application guidelines that meet both Federal and State regulatory guidelines.
  6. Hosting of a Members Only Technical Library on CCR Remediation Technologies: The CALM Initiative is continually developing new technologies that address regulatory requirements and constructability requirements.   In 2018, the CALM Initiative will develop and host a technical library that includes Confidential and/or proprietary remediation technologies available only to CALM members.   This technical library will be password protected and available to the CALM Initiative members and the electric power utilities that they serve.
  7. Developing Technology that Helps Keep Americans Employed in Satisfying Careers: In a time when there is increased uncertainty about energy production and jobs in rural communities, the CALM Initiative attempts to develop practical technology that keeps local workers in employed in satisfying careers.   Example of projects being considered in 2018 include a wide variety of CCR beneficial use technologies and encapsulation methods that can reduce the cost of ash basin closure, while providing jobs in areas where coal combustion plants are closing.