NAEM-Working with NGOs-Nessing

NAEM EHS&S Forum:NGO Partnerships for Business Success

Sandy NessingManaging Director, Sustainability American Electric PowerOct. 15, 2015

About AEP•18,529 employees•5.5 million customers•200,000 square miles territory•40,000 miles transmission lines•2,110 miles EHV 765 kV lines•~32,000 MW generating capacity•+2,700 renewable energy

American Electric Power www.AEPSustainability.com

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AEP’s Challenge

Transmission growth~$4.6 billion total capital investment in 2015 across AEP

Transmission has the lion’s shareBusiness opportunity is huge

Aging infrastructureCustomer-driven projects (i.e. shale gas, data centers)Reliability improvementsRegional projects associated with coal retirements,

renewable growth

BUT…to build power lines, you need to cut down trees, clear land and work with land owners


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Minimizing Impacts is Critical

Projects can impact human, natural, visual cultural resourcesNational forestsEndangered speciesCemeteriesCommunity recreation spacesRivers, streams SchoolsHabitat, biodiversity


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Power Up Central: Indiana

Spy Run-Robison Park Project $50 million investment Rebuild 6.4 miles in existing right-of-way Part of a larger, regional upgrade

Impacts to avoid/mitigate Waterfront Upscale neighborhoods Parks Historical landmark Urban area Endangered species

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http://www.aeptransmission.com/indiana/PoweringUp/


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Conservation Solution

Partnered with Wildlife Habitat CouncilAEP has a long history with the WHC

Conservation Tool KitNew concept for existing ROWs In-person support at public meetings Landowner fact sheet with focus on conservationTechnical document for Environmental teamOption for certification

Piloting with Indiana project


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How It Can Help

Credible third party Independent of AEPEmpathy for landowner conservation passionTrack record of working with utilities In-person presence during open housesGives us data and success stories of environmental

stewardship excellence within operationsContributes to regional, local conservation prioritiesHelps secure local stakeholder support, land easements


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Demonstration ROW - Ohio

Showcase ROW vegetation managementMeets regulatory requirements for reliabilityAccommodates environmental & land use concerns of

affected publicEducational tool – schools, regulators, etc.

Four plots, 8+ acresPollinators, Monarch butterfly Song birdsGame birds, small mammalsTraditional turf grasses (for comparison)


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Partnerships Are Powerful

Benefits to AEPVisual demonstration of maintenance options Shows balance of stewardship, reliability, cost of electricityDemonstrates commitment to collaboration

Benefits to partnersOn-site signage Supports their missions

Benefits to local communityEducation toolGreen space preserved

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.magazinediscountcenter.com/magazine-subscription/audubon-magazine.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0CBgQwW4wAWoVChMIhODPlvy1xwIVRoCSCh0zEQ8n&usg=AFQjCNEpthMx2gSNKq7ndU2avfwNgOKpgw

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/02/ohio_wildlife_officials_sue_fo.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0CBYQwW4wAGoVChMIzN-dxPy1xwIVA0mSCh2UpwHC&usg=AFQjCNGv3f5YN2vj5MEkD1mtdiUxPKjSnw

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2013/03/19/usfws-alaska-region-welcomes-new-refuge-managers-supervisor/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0CB4QwW4wBGoVChMIwpSDr_y1xwIVCFiSCh1X_Awb&usg=AFQjCNGfk4ikCTV2BxiQzk_0caYU3JDG8w


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Why Work With NGOs?

Builds credibility, trustDemonstrates conservation commitment without

compromising reliability of the grid Supports local conservation goalsEncourages voluntary efforts that are reportable,

quantifiable and credibleRaises awareness of importance of conservation Strengthens local relationshipsPositions AEP as an industry leader


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Questions?

Sandy NessingManaging Director, SustainabilityAmerican Electric [email protected]@Watts4U

www.AEPsustainability.com

AEP 2015 CAR

Documents

NAEM-Working with NGOs-Nessing