New Braunfels, Texas, United States
Mark Werner directed the Fuels Division of CPS Energy, the municipal utility serving the electric and gas needs of San Antonio, Texas. The group provides fuel and natural gas price hedging for the community’s natural gas distribution system and 23 generating units including units fueled by coal, nuclear fuel, oil and natural gas in concert with a large renewable energy portfolio for over 700,000 customers. Mark joined Exxon in 1980 to conduct mine and reclamation plans at their Felder uranium operations in Three Rivers, Texas, and reclamation planning for the Highland mine and tailing pond in Douglas, Wyoming. He joined CPS Energy’s Fuels Division in 1984, initially focused on lignite property development. His responsibilities have included all fuel supply agreements including coal, rail, gas, oil and nuclear fuels. Projects have included conveyor design and construction, pipeline project management, electric load estimation, generator dispatch, wholesale sales of power to other utilities and municipalities, management of the Joint Operations Agreement with Texas Genco Inc., and the investigation of new nuclear generation. Mark earned a Bachelor Degree in Mineral Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology. He continued his formal education completing the Masters program in Management of Technology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a professional engineer in Texas and Wyoming and is active in several industry groups. Mark and his wife of 28 years, Debbie, live in New Braunfels, Texas and have two children. Luke recently graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Commercial Aviation where he currently works as a flight instructor. Katelyn is a senior at Abilene Christian University studying English and Biochemistry. Mark serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of Boysville, a group children's home, and participates in the Optimist Club of San Antonio.
Directed acquisition of fuel annually totaling 22 Bcf of gas for distribution along with 50 Bcf gas, 8.5 Mtons coal, 61 TBtu nuclear fuel for generation to supply the electric generation requirements for the City of San Antonio's 700,000 customers. Project responsibilities included pipeline construction management, coal yard equipment engineering, management of 300 Mton lignite reserve, right-of-way acquisition, digital conversion and maintenance of land, gas and electric system maps in Microstation and coordination of construction projects between CPS and other utilities. Staff totaled up to 40. - Migrated from sole gas supplier to a portfolio of gas supply, transport and storage contracts. - Initiated board approved fuel price risk management program to protect customers from volatility in gas prices. - Constructed 63 mile gas transmission pipeline to access competitive supplies. - Directed design and construction of a $40 M, 6 Mtons/yr coal unloading, stockpile conveyor system addition. - Audited UP's biennial expenses to determine the rail rate adjustment resulting in Texas' lowest delivered coal prices. - Procured aluminum railcars, increasing rail productivity and reducing rates 18 percent. - Managed coal supply agreements, evaluated offers and negotiated rates. - Directied lignite mine consultants in preparation of mine plans and cost estimates, directed drilling programs, prepared federal coal lease bid, evaluated of costs in comparison to alternate fuels, reduced cost estimates 25 percent, directed consultant in cost estimates confirming mine size and prior cost reductions. - Negotiated lease of lignite property and subsequent sale for development by a third party.
Directed generation unit dispatch, wholesale power marketing, scheduling of power and ancillary services with ERCOT and management of corporate efforts to structure the Texas Nodal Market to accommodate CPS interests. - Dispatched 5500 MW of generation and managed wholesale power sales totaling $130M. - Implemented Qualified Scheduling Entity computer systems to manage load, generation and marketing, completing $5M project in 5 months and achieving QSE certification in 3 months. - Lead 40 member cross functional team in analysis of nuclear project opportunity. - Managed the Joint Operations Agreement with Texas Genco Inc., jointly dispatching generators to serve both system loads saving over $200M.
Mine and reclamation planning, permitting and scheduling for a 2 Mton/yr. (ore) mine, including supervision of surveyors and ore grade technicians, operation and programming of the HP3000 computer system. - Identified and evaluated marginal reserves extending project life 6 months. - Negotiated contract change resulting in $90 K cost savings on $1.5 M waste stripping contract. - Revised permits to address Department of Environmental Quality and State Engineer concerns, minimizing costs.
Planning and direction of 200 Kton/yr. (ore), 2 Mbcy/yr. (waste), contract mining operation, through final reclamation, including supervision of surveyors. - Developed a pit through infill drilling, design, contracts, operation and reclamation. - Planned designed and directed $2 M reclamation project. - Evaluated blast casting for highwall sloping.