Sarah Backes, Environmental Practice Lead
Education: BS Civil Engineering – University of South Alabama
Years Experience: 15+
Key Project Experience:
Climate Impact Assessment & Reporting
Climate Strategy for Renewable Energy - Inventory based projection and analysis that highlighted opportunities for direct carbon reduction and indirect avoided carbon for a large renewable power plant construction and operations company with assets in North America.
Scope 1, 2, 3 Inventory - Developed a from the ground up GHG inventory for a private equity portfolio covering companies in over 13 sectors that resulted in an insightful, ongoing inventory process.
Renewable Fuels ESG Program Support - Evaluated carbon offsets from carbon, capture, and sequestration (CCS); quantified biogenic carbon from upstream feed; Sedex Supplier Engagement and Audit; EcoVadis; Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
Agriculture LCA - Enteric fermentation and manure management for poultry production, American Wagyu, pork production, and dairy.
Key Project Experience, continued:
Environmental Compliance
Annual Reporting - Streamlining and enhancing annual reporting for multiple petroleum refining clients (Tier II, TRI, Title V, BWON TAB, Mandatory GHG Reporting).
Fine Particulate Analysis for Steel Making - Developed a comparative analysis examining the emission of PM2.5 from iron and steelmaking in North America compared to China. The project included compiling air emission datasets from every manufacturing plant in both regions, significant language translation, sensitivity analysis, and a comprehensive report published on behalf of a North American trade group.
Compliance Tracking: Conducted regulatory applicability analysis, identified compliance gaps, and adapted regulatory compliance calendars for clients in the petroleum refining, petrochemical, iron and steel manufacturing, carbon black, and energy sectors. Regulations of focus include New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).
Public Disclosure
TCFD/ISSB - Collaborated with client-specific stakeholders to develop public facing disclosures related to metrics such as governance structure, board oversight requirements, climate risks and materiality, and climate target and metrics. Most recently, assisted clients across multiple sectors in utilizing the TCFD/ISSB framework to facilitate compliance with California Senate Bill 261 (SB 261).
Public Emissions Inventory Disclosure for Petroleum Refining and Petrochemical Manufacturers Trade Organization - Prepared extensive criteria pollutant and GHG emissions inventory for operating petroleum refineries in North America on behalf of a trade organization. Emissions data was compiled at the facility-level and publicly disclosed within an annual report provided to trade members, the federal government including Senate Committee members, and the general public.
Sector Experience:
Upstream and Midstream Oil and Gas, Petroleum Refining, Power and Energy, Iron and Steel Manufacturing, Renewable Fuels, Biotech/Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Products, Logistics, Food and Beverage, Waste Services, Restaurants/Leisure/Hospitality, and Agriculture.
Publications/Presentations
Report and Acceptance and Position on EPA NESHAP – OLD Air Quality Rule 4-3; Briefing for PWSRCAC Board of Directors – January 2022.
This technical report provided, an independent evaluation of HAP air releases from the Valdez Marine Terminal, a health risk screening and evaluation for HAPs released from the terminal into the city of Valdez and provided a comparative analysis evaluating VMT HAP emissions “As Configured” versus 2020 OLD MACT implementation.Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 102: Electric Vehicle (EV) Global Warming Benefits - A Comprehensive Methodology for Evaluation Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 102: Electric Vehicle (EV) Global Warming Benefits - A Comprehensive Methodology for Evaluation
Sources of Propane Consumed in California: Argonne National Laboratory Sep 30, 2020. The information provided in this report is suitable for use to assess the life cycle carbon intensity of propane used as a transportation fuel in California.