SEPTA looking to power commuter rail with Marcellus Shale gas

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Full citation and link
Susan Phillips, "SEPTA looking to power commuter rail with Marcellus Shale gas," NPR State Impact Pennsylvania, October 23, 2015, Accessed November 1, 2015, https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/10/23/septa-looking-to-power-commuter-rail-with-marcellus-shale-gas/.

What two (or more) quotes capture the message of the article?
  • "SEPTA, the Philadelphia region’s mass transit agency, has proposed a new natural gas power plant to generate energy for part of its regional rail system. "
  • "The estimated $26.8 million project would be “budget neutral” for SEPTA because it will be financed through the Pennsylvania Guaranteed Energy Savings Act, which encourages efficiency upgrades that pay for themselves over time through cost savings.
  • "The SEPTA board also approved $18.2 million to upgrade facilities and railcars in an effort to make them more energy efficient. The agency says the upgrades will save $26 million in energy costs over 17 years."
What is the main point of the article, and how is it supported?
  • SEPTA, the public transportation system of Philadelphia, wants to establish a new power plant that uses the oil from the nearby Marcellus Shale.
  • The access to processed oil in close proximity lowers energy cost and promotes energy efficiency. Less energy is being wasted for transportation of the fuel. producing fewer pollutant emissions and forming a more sustainable public transit system.
    • The power plant will make SEPTA more "self-sufficient" by avoiding regional power outages. The trains or bus stations could still be active during a 'blackout' because their separate power source.
What actors (individuals or organizations) are referred to? (Provide names and short descriptions.)
  • Noresco
    • The company that will evaluate the "pay back" of the power plant, if it will lower the cost of the energy.
What kind of causation or responsibility is argued or implied in the article?
  • Economic interest in the ability to lower energy costs for SEPTA is argued in the article. The energy efficiency also promotes
How (if at all) are health disparities or other equity issues addressed in the article or report?
  • SEPTA would still using fossil fuel, however the pollution related to transport of the fuel isn't as present of an issue.
  • Better/cheaper public transportation is good for air quality. More accessible community transportation encourages people to not drive their own cars/produce their own vehicular emissions.
What three points, details or references from the article did you follow up on to advance your understanding of the issued and actors described in the article?
  • Pennsylvania Guaranteed Energy Savings Act
    • "The concept of a GESA is that the cost savings arising from energy savings on an annual basis are enough to pay the debt on financing for the construction/installation of the energy savings measures themselves."
    • Lot's of preparation, need approval. Many steps to guarantee effective.
  • Noresco
    • Specializes in energy savings
    • Consulting for public organizations (education, local, state, and federal government, healthcare facilities) but also for commercial.
    • Purpose: "To support the creation of energy- and water-efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments for our customers."
  • Looked into SEPTA's environmental sustainability plans
Does the article provide information or perspective on any of the thematics already identified as important for the 6Cities project?
  • Scientific capacity to link air pollution to economic impacts has also grown dramatically.
    • The addition of a close power plant to process nearby Marcellus shale oil would decrease the amount of air pollution produced by transport fuel for SEPTA and expand the abilities of public transportation in Philadelphia, in addition to increasing the economic efficiency of powering the transportation methods and facilities.