O'Brien Cogeneration
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Power generation facilities utilizing renewable energy technologies |
O'Brien Cogeneration Inc. is a United States energy firm focused on the development and management of power generation facilities utilizing renewable energy technologies. In 2005, the company achieved one of the most substantial civil damage awards in the country when Essex County Superior Court granted $32.3 million in favor of O'Brien against Hawker Siddeley due to negligent upkeep that resulted in major plant damage and operational interruptions. The primary legal counsel was Michael J. Izzo Jr. from Cozen O'Connor, based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Despite employing Best Available Control Technology, O'Brien Cogeneration manages several plants that release significant quantities of air pollutants. Specifically, two facilities in Philadelphia discharge approximately 17,000 pounds annually from twelve emission stacks, categorizing O'Brien as a medium-scale industrial source of regulated chemical emissions within the city's environmental framework.
Initially established on the East Coast, O'Brien extended its operations to California during the late 1980s by proposing a new plant in Salinas. This initiative involved detailed environmental assessments addressing air emissions, noise levels, hazard analysis, and wastewater treatment to adhere to the California Environmental Quality Act. The design of the planned facility fulfilled all stipulations set forth by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.
Additionally, the company has engaged with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s economic incentives program that promotes innovative methods for pollution mitigation.