Transcript Neelam Patel EPA Climate Updates Tribal Air Forum 6 4 2009

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Update on EPA Climate Activities
Neelam Patel
State and Local Climate and Energy Program
Office of Atmospheric Programs
National Tribal Forum on Air Quality Management Conference
June 2 - 4, 2009
Forest County Potawatomi Bingo Casino, Milwaukee WI
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Outline
 Regulatory and Legislative Climate
Updates
 Climate Showcase Communities Grant
Program
 EPA Resources and Partnership Programs
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EPA Climate Policy & Regulatory
Updates
EPA is engaged in climate regulatory and legislative
activities.
 Endangerment Finding (CAA)
 Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (FY 08 Appropriations)
 Analysis of Waxman-Markey Bill (ACES)
 Geologic Sequestration of CO2 (SDWA)
 Renewable Fuel Standard (EISA)
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Endangerment Finding
 Background
 April 2, 2007– In Massachusetts v. EPA, the Supreme Court found that
greenhouse gases are air pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act
 EPA was required determine whether:
• GHG emissions from new motor vehicles cause or contribute to air
pollution;
• This air pollution may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health
or welfare; or
• The science is too uncertain to make a reasoned decision.
 Observed and Projected Implications for Tribes from Climate Change
 Indigenous communities whose health, economic well-being, and cultural
traditions depend upon the natural environment will likely be affected by the
degradation of ecosystem goods and services associated with climate change
especially in places like Alaska and the Artic.
 This subsistence lifestyle and livelihoods are already being threatened by
multiple climate-related factors, including reduced or displaced populations of
marine mammals, caribou, seabirds, and other wildlife, losses of forest
resources due to insect damage, and reduced/thinner sea ice, making hunting
more difficult and dangerous.
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Endangerment Finding (cont’d)
 Endangerment Findings
 April 17, 2009 –Administrator signed a proposal with two distinct findings
regarding greenhouse gases under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act
• Proposed Endangerment Finding: Current and projected concentrations
of the mix of six key greenhouse in the atmosphere threaten the public
health and welfare
• Cause or Contribute Finding: Combined emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O,
and HFCs from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to
the atmospheric concentrations of these key greenhouse gases and hence
to the threat of climate change
 Status
 The proposed endangerment finding was published in the Federal Register and
will be open for public comment until June 23, 2009 (60 days).
 Two public hearings were held in Arlington, VA and Seattle, WA.
• General Information and FAQs available on website at:
http://epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html
• Communications materials available to EPA Regions
(Contact Erin Birgfeld, 202-343-9079, for more information)
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Endangerment Finding (cont’d)
This action, if finalized, does not impose any
requirements on industry or other entities
 Not accompanied by a proposed standard
 Does not impose any timetable for issuing
regulations
 Does not indicate that EPA has made any final
decisions about regulating GHGs under the Clean Air
Act
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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse
Gas Reporting Rule
 Objective of the Program
 To collect accurate and timely information on GHG emissions to inform future
climate policy decisions.
 Requirements
 The proposed Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) rule would,
in general, require annual reporting to EPA of GHG emissions by suppliers of
fossil fuels and industrial GHG, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and
facilities that emit 25,000 metric tones or more per year of CO2e. The
emissions that would be reported are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4),
nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs),
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated compounds.
 Status
 In order to develop a strong proposal, EPA met with over 250 stakeholders,
including tribal organizations, states, regional groups, industries, trade
associations, environmental groups, etc.
 The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register and is currently open
for public comment until June 9, 2009.
 Two public hearings were held in April in Arlington, VA and Sacramento, CA in
April.
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Contact Kitty Sibold in the Climate Change Division at 202.343.9280, [email protected] for
more information
Website: www.regulations.gov (to submit comments) or
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html (for more information including FAQs,
guidance sheets for each sub-part, technical support documents)
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Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse
Gas Reporting Rule (cont’d)
 Impact on Tribes
 Tribes could be required to submit an annual GHG report for any facility they
own or operate that is subject to the rule. Landfills and stationary combustion
equipment are the types of facilities owned or operated by Tribes that would
most likely trigger applicability. Tribes that own or operate large industrial
emission sources such as cement plants, coal mines, or oil and gas operations
could also be required to report emissions under this rulemaking.
 The rule would apply to all types of stationary combustion equipment (except
for emergency generators and portable equipment) if the aggregate maximum
rated heat input capacity of all stationary fuel combustion units at a facility is
30 million British thermal units per hour (mmBtu/hr) or greater, and the facility
emits 25,000 metric tons of CO2e or more per year from all stationary fuel
combustion sources.
 The rule would apply to landfills that generate CH4 in amounts equal to 25,000
metric tons of CO2e or more per year. It would also apply to municipal power
generation plants that report to the Acid Rain Program or emit 25,000 metric
tons of CO2e or more per year.
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Waxman-Markey Bill
American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009
 Bill introduced to House side of Congress on May 15, 2009
 EPA analysis of discussion draft (introduced March 31, 2009)
 At request of bill sponsors, EPA's economic analysis of the bill
was issued April 21st
 Office of Atmospheric Program analysis focused on cap and trade provisions
 Projections of emissions and energy demand based on AEO 2009 (December
2008) and do not include the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009
 If enacted, the bill would:
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Advance energy efficiency and reduce reliance on oil
Create an economy-wide cap and trade program
Stimulate innovation in clean coal technology
Accelerate use of renewable energy sources
Create strong demand for clean energy technologies and assist
economic recovery and job growth
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Proposed Geologic Sequestration of CO2
Rule
Background
 Geologic sequestration is the process of
injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) from a source,
such as a coal-fired electric generating power
plant, through a well into the deep subsurface.
With proper site selection and management,
geologic sequestration could play a major role
in reducing emissions of CO2.
Status
 EPA has developed a Proposed Rule for
Geologic Sequestration (GS) of CO2
 Announced October 2007
 Signed & published in the Federal
Register July 2008
 Comment period ended December 24,
2008
 Final rule expected late 2010/early 2011
Considerations
• Proposed rule uses Safe Drinking Water Act authorities and revises
Underground Injection Control Program requirements for GS
• Priority placed on avoiding endangerment of underground sources of
drinking water
Website: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2_geosequest.html or
www.epa.gov/ogwdw/uic/wells_sequestration.html
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Renewable Fuel Standard
 Background
 EPA, under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is responsible
for revising and implementing regulations to ensure that gasoline sold in the
United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel.
 The Renewable Fuel Standard program will increase the volume of renewable
fuel required to be blended into gasoline from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36
billion gallons by 2022.
 As mandated by EISA, EPA evaluated the full lifecycle GHG emission impacts
of renewable fuel production including both direct and indirect emissions,
including significant emissions from land use changes.
 Status
 EPA released a notice of proposed rulemaking on May 5, 2009 and held a
public hearing on the proposed rule on May 20.
 Next Steps
 EPA is hosting a lifecycle workshop to present details of its lifecycle
greenhouse gas analysis for the Proposed Revisions to the National
Renewable Fuels Standard Program on June 10 - 11 in Washington, DC.
Website: www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels
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Looking beyond EPA Climate
Regulatory and Policy Activities
 Beyond EPA’s involvement in the following regulatory and
legislative activity:
 Mandatory GHG Reporting Rule
 Endangerment Finding (CAA)
 Analysis of Bills in Response to Hill requests
 Geologic Sequestration of CO2 (SDWA)
 Renewable Fuel Standard (EISA)
 EPA is administering the Climate Showcase Communities
Grant program to assist local and tribal governments in
establishing and implementing climate change initiatives. This
$10M competitive is expected to open in summer 2009.
 EPA’s voluntary programs and resources provide
opportunities for GHG mitigation and adaptation across
numerous sectors.
 Energy and climate initiatives have spurred partnerships with
energy efficiency programs and developed opportunities in EPA
regions.
New Upcoming EPA Grant
Climate
Showcase Communities Grant
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FY 09 Appropriations Language
Climate Change Initiative Grants for Local Communities
The Bill includes $10,000,000 for the Office of Air and Radiation to initiate a new,
competitive grant program to assist local communities in establishing and
implementing their own climate change initiatives. The goal of this program is to
implement programs, projects and approaches, which demonstrate documentable
reductions in greenhouse gases and are replicable elsewhere.
The Agency is directed to follow these guidelines to implement this Program:
(1) grants are to be awarded on a competitive basis;
(2) they are to be one-time grants only;
(3) grantees, other than tribes, are required to provide a 50 percent match for the
Federal funds;
(4) local, county, municipal and tribal governments are eligible to apply;
(5) five percent of the funds shall be allocated to tribal governments;
(6) grants will fund planning activities, demonstration pilots, innovative approaches
and implementation of projects designed to reduce greenhouse gases;
(7) examples of eligible projects include land use planning, programs to reduce
vehicle miles traveled, improvements to building energy efficiency and projects to
capture methane from agriculture
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Funding
Total Funding = $10 million
Tribal Set-aside (5%) = $500,000
Funding Match Required = no matching required for
tribes
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/showcase.html
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Vision and Framework for Grant
 Build on existing technical support framework to develop
“Climate Showcase Communities”
 Demonstrate integrated and sustainable community
approaches that achieve large reductions in GHG emissions
and additional co-benefits (Air Quality, Jobs, etc)
 Planning through implementation (including financing, technical
assistance, policy development, training, and partnerships)
 Major emission sources -- buildings, transportation, public services
 Robust Measurement and Reporting
 Build networks and peer exchange to share approaches
 Spur additional climate action
 Move beyond “shovel ready” clean energy projects to
comprehensive and integrated GHG management that creates jobs
 Offer forums for training and peer exchange
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Connections with ARRA Funding
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Focus and Goals
 ARRA: funds for energy reductions, implementation only
 Showcase Grants: focus on GHG reductions (broader than energy), planning
through implementation
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Timelines
 ARRA: funds already being distributed, must be spent within 18 months (by
~12/2010), forces emphasis on “shovel ready”
 Showcase Grants: funds available 1/2010, 2-3 year project periods, allows longer-
term planning, assessment, education, evaluation
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Support and Peer Exchange
 ARRA: limited direct support available (due to volume), no identified mechanisms for
peer-to-peer exchange, no replicability requirement
 Showcase Grants: hands-on technical support and training for all recipients, multiple
peer-exchange venues, replicability is goal
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ARRA and Showcase Grants Serve as Complements
 ARRA allows mass implementation, sows seeds for long-term change
 Showcase Grants grow projects into sustainable, replicable models of success
 Lessons learned from ARRA projects inform Showcase Communities, serve as
additional source of results and best practices
 Coordinating reporting metrics saves effort for feds and funding recipients
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Tracking and Sharing Results
 Use standard grant reporting requirements as a base for
enhancing transparency and information sharing
 Help recipients establish robust and credible reporting
 balance flexibility and rigor
 accommodate a range of projects
 Maximizing existing reporting infrastructures already used by
local governments to lessen burden, e.g.
 Energy Star Portfolio Manager
 Local GHG Inventory Protocols
 Coordinating with DOE on EECBG reporting frameworks
 Profile grantee progress on a “showcase communities” website
(connected to EPA’s larger local government program) to act as
catalysts for peer exchange and replication of success
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Application Information
 Visit the grant website for updates
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www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/showcase.htm
 Mechanisms to ask EPA questions will be available
after request for application opens
 Website will have Q & A page
 Email address for submitting questions
 For help with the grant process, please see our
February 28, 2008 webcast titled, “Navigating the
Grant Process for Local Governments”
 www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/webcast.html
 www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/webcasts/epa_grants101.pdf
 www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/webcasts/bayarea_aqm_grantee_tips.pdf
Climate: EPA HQ Programs,
Resources and Tools
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Local Climate and Energy Program
Provide:
 Advance comprehensive
climate and clean energy
approaches in local
governments and their
communities
 Focus on established, costeffective best practices
 Serve as a gateway to
existing resources and
programs
 Develop new tools,
resources, and guidance
Apply Climate – Clean Energy
Multiple Benefits Framework:
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Air quality improvements
GHG reductions
Energy security and reliability
Economic development
Public health
Quality of life
Climate Change Clean Energy
Air Quality
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Local Climate and Energy Program
Resources
ARRA 2009 Analysis
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ARRA 2009: A Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Opportunities
for Local and Tribal Governments
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/recovery.html
Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide
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Six chapters currently available
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Green Power Procurement
Energy Efficient Product Procurement
On-site Renewables
Combined Heat and Power
Landfill Gas to Energy
And more
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/local-best-practices.html
Webcasts
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Hold a monthly webcast series on topics relevant to local governments
www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/webcast.html
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State and Local Climate and Energy
Program GHG Inventory Resources
 How do you select an inventory tool?
 Clean Air Climate Protection Software (CACPS)
www.icleiusa.org/cacp
 Local Government Operations Protocol
www.icleiusa.org/programs/climate/ghg-protocol
 State GHG Inventory and Projection Tool
email [email protected]
 Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory Pilot
email [email protected]
 What other resources does EPA offer?
 Inventory Fact Sheets
 State Emissions Data
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/state.html
 State and Local Climate Change Emissions Page
• Links to Tools, Protocols, and Training Webcasts
• www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/state_guidance.html
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Energy Star
 Energy Star
 Forms voluntary partnerships with groups like
homebuilders, foundations, energy offices,
housing finance agencies, and utilities to
leverage resources and provide whole-house
solutions for improving the energy efficiency
of new and existing homes.
 Contact your Region’s Energy Star
Coordinator for details
 Energy Star Change the World Campaign
 Website: www.energystar.gov
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Excessive Heat Events Guidebook
 Developed in 2006 through an EPA, CDC, NOAA partnership.
 Provide local public health officials and others with convenient
access to critical excessive heat events (EHE) information:
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Options for defining EHE conditions
How to assess local vulnerability to EHEs
Case studies (lessons learned)
A “menu” of public education, notification, and response
actions to consider when developing or enhancing an EHE
notification and response program
www.epa.gov/hiri/about/heatguidebook.html
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Heat Island Reduction Program
 Provides the heat island community with scientific and policy
information
www.epa.gov/heatislands
 Supports heat island reduction through four key mitigation strategies
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Trees and Vegetation
Green Roofs
Cool Roofs
Cool Pavements
Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies - Provides an overview
of latest science, mitigation strategies, examples, and recommendations for additional
resources
Chapters
• Heat Island Basics
• Trees and Vegetation
• Green Roofs
• Cool Roofs
• Heat Island Reduction Activities
• Cool Pavements
www.epa.gov/hiri/mitigation/index.htm
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Climate Ready Estuaries
 Partnership between 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) and EPA’s
Climate Change Division (OAR) and Ocean and Coastal Protection Division
(OW).
 Purpose:
 Build capacity in the NEPs to adapt to climate change.
 Combine NEP local knowledge and skills with EPA’s coastal
adaptation expertise.
 Approach:
 Provide broadly applicable information and resources to all coastal
managers.
 Work with a small group of NEPs each year to assess vulnerabilities,
identify opportunities to reduce risk, and develop adaptation plans.
 11 Partners under the Program:
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Albemarle-Pamlico NEP (NC)
Barnegat Bay (NJ)
Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (ME)
Charlotte Harbor NEP
(FL)
Indian River Lagoon NEP (FL)
Long Island Sound Study
Massachusetts Bays Program
www.epa.gov/cre
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Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Piscataqua Region Estuary Project (NH)
San Francisco Estuary Project
Tampa Bay NEP (FL)
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Communication Cooperative Agreement
Climate Change Tribal Impacts, Communication and Outreach
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Awarded in the beginning of 2008 to the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern
Arizona University’s Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)
Goal is to communicate climate change impacts on and adaptive responses in
Indian country and develop a communications plan for transmitting the
information to tribes, policy makers, and the public
Update on deliverables:
• Website is live and up-and-running with resources for education, outreach,
GHG reduction and adaptation strategies
http://www4.nau.edu/tribalclimatechange/index.asp
• Report on climate change education and outreach was submitted and is
currently being reviewed by EPA
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Climate Change Tools and Resources
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The Climate Leadership in Parks (CLIP) Tool is a Microsoft Excel-based userfriendly application used for estimating emissions inventory and planning for
reducing GHG emissions and criteria air pollutants within a National Park for the
Climate Friendly Parks program.
http://www.nps.gov/climatefriendlyparks/CLIPtool/index.html
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ClimateCHECK is a web-based tool aimed at high school students to inventory
and plan actions for reducing their school’s GHG emissions.
http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html
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Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit
is an educational kit about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and
public lands. It is being revised in cooperation with 7 other agencies and will be
printed in early 2009. Parts of it will go up on the climate change website starting
in November 2008. http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/ORWKit.html
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Global Warming Wheel Card is an education tool that can be used to estimate
GHG emissions from individual households and learn how to reduce them. It was
recently revised and the new printed version will be available in early 2009.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/wheel_card.html
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What You Can Do (WYCD) Easy steps you can take to reduce
your GHG emissions in homes, schools, offices, and automobiles.
http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/actionsteps.html#home
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Contact Info
Neelam R. Patel
Local Climate and Energy Program, Heat Island Reduction Program
[email protected]
Andrea Denny
Local Climate and Energy Program, GHG Inventory Contact,
Climate Showcase Communities Grant Program Lead
[email protected]
Erika Wilson
EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs Tribal Coordinator
[email protected]