PCBs may spell trouble for utility DSM
Utilities that promote lighting retrofit programs as part of a demand-side management (DSM) program any run into trouble disposing of lighting system ballasts. That's because ballast made before 1979 used polychlorinated biphenyls-better know as PCBs-as dielectric fluids in their capacitors. Because PCBs were found to be toxic, federal regulations banned their use in manufacturing after 1979. With the typical life of a lighting system ballast ranging between 10 to 25 years, many PCB-containing ballasts are ready for replacement. What's more, the growth of electric utility DSM programs over the past decade has accelerated the replacement of ballasts containing PCBs. The result is that large quantities of such ballasts are being discarded at a rate greater than if disposal were the result of ballast burnout of failure alone. Federal regulations banning PCB production also require the cleanup and disposal of existing PCB materials. The process of removing existing low-efficiency ballasts as part of DSM program is complicated by a variety of special handling, labeling, transportation, and disposal requirements and options. Of course, these complications and their associated costs affect the economics of DSM lighting retrofit programs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5996705
- Journal Information:
- Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 131:12; ISSN PUFNAV; ISSN 0033-3808
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Utility study examines environmental effects of lighting efficiency programs
Recycling PCB ballasts eliminates liability, risk
Related Subjects
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
AROMATICS
BALLASTS
CAPACITORS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DEMAND
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REGULATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT