These SF6 circuit breakers are part of an electric grid. They are filled with compressed sulfur-hexafluoride gas which acts to open and close the switch contacts. The gas is a concern because it is 24,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a heat-trapping gas. (Photo courtesy of OSHA).
The government is urging electric utilities to do more to stop leaks of the most potent greenhouse gas on the planet. Lester Graham reports the government program for the utilities is voluntary:
Transcript
The government is urging electric utilities to do more to stop leaks of the most potent greenhouse gas on the planet. Lester Graham reports the government program for the utilities is voluntary:
The gas sulfur hexafluoride is 24,000 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Electric utilities use 80% of the gas made as an insulator for high voltage switches.
Dina Kruger is with the US Environmental Protection Agency. She says the switches can leak.
“You know, the gas either leaks out slowly over time or can get vented in large quantities during maintenance of the equipment, and both of those provide an opportunity to reduce emissions. So, it’s not necessarily the case that you need to ban a chemical like this to avoid emissions to the atmosphere. You can also avoid those emissions through careful management.”
But, only a little more than half of the electric utilities in the nation have signed up for the EPA’s voluntary program to reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas.
For the Environment Report, this is Lester Graham.