NPPD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA in July, 2000, to become partners in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Partnership for Electric Power Systems. This is a voluntary partnership to reduce SF6 emissions. SF6 is a gas that is used in circuit breakers and other switchgear as an electrical insulator. SF6 is a highly potent greenhouse gas, over 23,900 times more effective at trapping infrared radiation than carbon dioxide. SF6 in not currently regulated by the EPA.

NPPD’s participation in the partnership requires NPPD to establish a policy for proper handling of SF6, which includes a commitment to recycle SF6 and to establish a maintenance program and equipment replacement strategy. The policy also ensures that only trained personnel handle SF6. NPPD has established an emission reduction goal and annually inventories emissions of SF6 and submits annual progress reports to the EPA. In 2004, NPPD reduced its emissions of SF6 by 376 pounds.

For more information on EPA’s SF6 Partnership for Electric Power Systems, please visit the EPA’s website.