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EPA Initiatives and Programs to Address Climate Change

JOHN FILIPPELLIU.S. EPA Region 2

New York Energy ForumSeptember 17, 2009

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Overview

Climate Change Background Regulatory Overview EPA Partnership Programs and

Resources

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Atmospheric concentrations of CO2 far exceed the natural range over the last 650,000 years.

Source: IPCC WGI AR4, 2007.

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GHG Warming Potential

Gas Atmospheric Lifetime

(years)

GWPa

Carbon dioxide (CO2) 50 - 200 1

Methane (CH4)b 12 ± 3 21

Nitrous oxide (N2O) 120 310

HFCs 1.5 - 264 140 - 11,700

PCFs 3,200 – 20,000 7,000 – 23,000

SF6 3200 23,900

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Expected Impacts

Climate ChangesTemperature Sea Level Rise

Precipitation

• Erosion and inundation of coastal lands• Costs of protecting vulnerable lands

Coastal Areas

• Geographic range• Health, composition, and productivity

Forest Impacts

• Crop yields• Irrigation demand• Pest management

Agriculture

• Weather-related deaths• Infectious diseases• Air quality - respiratory illnesses

Health Impacts

• Loss of habitat and diversity• Species range shifts• Ecosystem services

Ecosystems

• Changes in precipitation, water quality, and water supply

Water Resources

7The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conclusions: GHG are increasing in the atmosphere

and the climate is warming. Most of the warming is very likely due to

emissions from human activities. We can do something about it, including

much with current technologies.

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GHG Emission Sources

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Other ways to look at it …

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Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the U.S.

U.S. GHG Emissions as Shown by End-Use Sectors

Industry, 28%

Transportation, 28%

Commercial, 17%

Residential, 17%

Agriculture, 9%

Source: Inventory of U.S. GHG Emissions and Sinks, 2007

Local governments have control over decisions that

affect land use, transportation, and buildings.

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Domestic Policy and EPA Roles

Executive branch is now playing a larger role on climate policy

Close coordination with Congress ongoing Linkage of climate and energy issues, along with

consideration of economic needs EPA work:

GHG inventory, research, preparing for impacts, outreach, international negotiations, possible regulations…..

Region 2: multimedia partnership programs, outreach, future regulatory support

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U.S. Climate Policy and Actions

Current and Near-Term Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives

Climate Change Technology Program Climate Change Science Program International Cooperation

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Looking Forward

A wide range of policies will be needed to address climate change Across all sectors of the economy Likely encompassing regulatory,

financial and voluntary policy mechanisms

Industry and local action is critical.

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EPA Regulatory Initiatives

Waste Energy Recovery Registry California Greenhouse Gas Waiver Request National Fuel Economy Policy Proposed Endangerment Finding Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas

Reporting Rule Renewable Fuel Standard Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

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Waste Energy (WE) Recovery Registry

July 23, 2009 - Proposed rule published in Federal Register(www.regulations.gov) calling for a voluntary survey of major industrial and large commercial sources of feasible WE recovery.

Provide state and national totals of WE recovery opportunities and potential GHG benefits.

Serve as a basis for potential WE recovery projects as described in Energy Policy and Conservation Act

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California GHG Waiver Request

On June 30, 2009 EPA granted a waiver of the Clean Air Act preemption to CA for its GHG standards.

Requires automakers to increase the fuel economy of cars and trucks sold in the state by 40 percent to an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington and Arizona* to follow.

4 years ahead of similar federal requirement.

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Proposed LDV Standards/National Fuel Economy Policy

On September 15, 2009 EPA and USDOT’s NHTSA proposed light duty vehicle GHG and new CAFE standards (60-day comment period)

Covers 2012 to 2016 and later model years 250 grams per mile CO2 (35.5 mpg equivalent) Single light duty fleet would satisfy US and CA EPA must finalize endangerment and cause or

contribute findings before the rules can go final www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm

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Proposed GHG Reporting Rule

Proposed rule published April 10, 2009 Comment period ended June 9 Would cover suppliers of fossil fuels or

industrial GHG Vehicle and engine manufacturers Facilities that emit 25,000 tpy or more of

GHG Covers CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC, PFC,

SF6,NF3, other fluorinated gases & HFE

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Renewable Fuel Standard

Published May 26, 2009 – Comment period closed July 27

Peer review published August 17 – Comments by September 25

This rule proposes to establish the revised annual renewable fuel standard (RFS2) and to make the necessary program modifications as set forth in EISA.  V

Volume standard under RFS2 was increased beginning in 2008 from 5.4 billion gallons (Bgal) to 9.0 Bgal.  Thereafter, the required volume continues to increase under RFS2, eventually reaching 36 Bgal by 2022.

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GHG Sequestration

Proposed federal requirements published July 25, 2008

Supplemental proposal published August 31, 2009

Includes DOE partnership project data LBNL study results Discussed comments and alternatives Public hearing September 17 - Chicago Comment period closes October 15

21Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Address Global Warming Published July 11, 2008 – 120-day comment period Descriptions of key provisions and programs in the CAA, and

pros/cons of regulating GHGs under those provisions How a decision to regulate GHG emissions under one section

of the CAA could or would lead to regulation of GHG emissions under other sections of the Act, including sections on permitting requirements for major sources

Issues relevant for Congress to consider for possible future climate legislation and the potential for overlap between future legislation and regulation under the existing CAA

Scientific information relevant to endangerment analysis.

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Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

Many local governments have signed this agreement.

EPA Partnership Programs and resources can assist municipalities with meeting the commitments in the Agreement, including:

Putting together a GHG inventory Purchasing green energy Increasing energy efficiency ENERGY STAR purchasing Green Building Greening your fleet, idling management Recycling and materials management Energy efficiency in water and wastewater systems Water conservation

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Climate Change is More than Air

We must also address water use and waste/land aspects.

A lot of energy is used to pump, treat and heat water. Saving water saves energy and reduces

greenhouse gas emissions

Recycling and reducing waste also decreases greenhouse gas emissions. Using recycled or re-used materials reduces

the amount of energy needed to extract raw materials and manufacture goods

Decreasing waste reduces methane emissions from landfills

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How Can EPA Programs Help You?

Address specific ways to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your community

Provide technical assistance Provide outreach materials and other

free tools Help identify funding opportunities Offer public recognition

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EPA Programs Supporting GHG Reductions

www.epa.gov/partners

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Informational network facilitating access to tools, technical assistance and funding. Best Practices Searchable database of resources Listserve Free Webcast Trainings Peer to Peer Exchange

A good place to start……

www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/stateandlocal

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ENERGY STARReducing Energy Use In Your Community

www.energystar.gov/challenge

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Energy Star promotes energy efficiency in homes, businesses, and products

Buy Energy Star products Take the Energy Star Challenge—Communities:

Set at least 10% energy use reduction goal Benchmark their buildings Take action to improve

ENERGY STAR provides many free resources online: Portfolio Manager, benchmarking tools, training calculators,

manuals, etc.

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Green Power PartnershipBuying Renewable Energy

Voluntary program in which partners use green power to meet a portion of their electricity needs Electricity, Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), on-site

generation

More than 900 partners purchase more than 14.3 billion KWh of green power annually

The Green Power Partnership helps through: Green Power Locator Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing Green Power Media/outreach tools

www.epa.gov/greenpower

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Combined Heat and Power Partnership Increasing Building

Energy Efficiency

Promotes cogeneration of electricity and thermal energy from the same fuel

Separate heat and electricity production is highly inefficient Average efficiency of fossil fuel power plants is 33% Average efficiency CHP systems is 60-80%

The CHP Partnership can help you determine whether your facilities are good candidates for CHP Good candidates include schools, WWTPs and district

heating systems

www.epa.gov/chp

30EPA CHP 2009 Partners Meeting and NYSERDA Conference on CHP

October 1-2, 2009New York Marriott DowntownNew York, NY

CHP developments on the national stage, the state of the CHP market

Support and resources provided by the Partnership Peer-to-peer discussions during NYSERDA's CHP roundtable Partners' success stories across various market sectors CHP financing strategies, including ARRA incentives Federal and state-level climate policies and CHP objectives

http://www.epa.gov/chp/events/partnermeet_2009.html

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Nationally EPA has taken critical steps to ensure new diesels are clean

11 million older vehicles/engines in operation nationwide

Diesels last a long time New York, New Jersey & New England

participate in voluntary collaborative Municipal, transit, ports, construction,

trucks and locomotives

Northeast Diesel Collaborative

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SmartWayReducing transportation-related emissions

SmartWay partners take action to reduce fuel use and emissions.

EPA provides tools, assistance, and quantifies savings and emission reductions

SmartWay Partners: 1,177 partners across the U.S. Projected savings: over 3.3 billion gallons of oil per year

and $10 billion in operating costs

SmartWay Affiliates: 229 organizations promote the program across the U.S.

www.epa.gov/smartway

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WasteWiseReducing Waste and GHGs

WasteWise Partners set recycling and waste prevention goals

Helps communities go beyond basic recycling programs

Reporting partners receive a profile which quantifies the climate benefits of their waste reduction efforts EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (online) calculates

greenhouse gas emissions from waste management actions

Free Helpline/assistance

www.epa.gov/wastewise

34Landfill Methane Outreach Program

Capturing and Using Landfill Methane Helps communities capture and use the methane

generated in landfills Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air

pollutants, reduces odor and improves safety Success Story: Riverview, Michigan

Facing dangerous landfill gas leaks Started partnership with Detroit Edison to collect and sell

landfill methane New revenue stream for city and local property values have

increased Closed landfill is now a recreation area

www.epa.gov/lmop

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eCycling Recycling Electronics

Plug-in to eCycling – Collect and reuse/recycle e-scrap including computers and cell phones Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reduce

pollution, and saves energy Recycling a million cell phones reduces greenhouse gas

emissions equal to taking 1,368 cars off the road for a year

EPEAT – Electronics Product Assessment Tool Greener purchasing of business computers Easy to use In 2007, EPEAT purchasing reduced 3.31 million metric

tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) greenhouse gas emissions

www.epa.gov/plugin

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WaterSensePromoting Use of Water-Efficient Products

WaterSense labeled products use about 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than their less efficient counterparts

Water utilities may adopt the program as part of a broader water efficiency strategy to help reduce water infrastructure needs and promote the label to customers

Local governments may become WaterSense Partners and promote WaterSense products

www.epa.gov/watersense

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Green BuildingsConstructing or Retrofitting Buildings to Improve Energy/Water Efficiency and Use

of Recycled Materials

www.epa.gov/greenbuilding

The impacts of building are significant: Nearly 40% of energy use and carbon dioxide emissions About 68% of total electricity consumption Nearly 60% of total non-industrial solid waste Over 12% of total water consumed

EPA is advancing green building practices by: Addressing market factors Implementing demonstration projects on green building

performance and benefits Working with communities to update codes and

ordinances Region 2 Green Construction and Operations

38Green InfrastructureManaging Wet Weather and Reusing

Stormwater

www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure

Using technologies to infiltrate, capture and reuse stormwater such as: Building green roofs Promoting rain barrels Planting trees and other vegetation

Communities can support this effort by: Planning and implementing demonstration projects on

public sites Involving all city departments Updating codes and ordinances to create incentives

39Sustainable InfrastructureImproving Efficiency for Water and

Wastewater Treatment Energy represents 25 to 30% of a water or

wastewater plant’s total O&M cost Program’s goals include:

Reducing the need to treat water Promoting the ability to save/capture energy

Variety of programs available: WaterSense Green Infrastructure ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Combined Heat and Power

Energy management guidebook for wastewater and water utilities available on line.

www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/bettermanagement_energy.html

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Green VenuesReducing GHGs at Meetings

Large gatherings create significant amounts of waste, energy, and water use

Green Venues works to minimize the environmental impacts of events and meetings

Benefits of the program Reduces GHG emissions Saves money Provides marketing and publicity advantages Promotes sustainability in the community

www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings

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Urban Heat Island Cooling Communities

EPA’s UHI Program promotes methods to cool communities and: Save energy Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Improve air quality

Strategies for heat island mitigation include: Trees and Vegetation Green Roofs Cool Roofs Cool Pavements

www.epa.gov/heatislands

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Climate LeadersEncourage businesses in your community to

reduce GHGs

Industry-government partnership helps companies develop credible, comprehensive strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Partner companies receive technical assistance from EPA to: Develop a corporate-wide GHG inventory Set an aggressive reduction goal Report progress to EPA annually

www.epa.gov/climateleaders

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In Summary…

Climate change is a documented phenomena – human activity is a major contributor

Energy generation and use is the biggest piece of the puzzle

EPA is pursuing a regulatory action EPA encourages voluntary initiatives and

offers support

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Thank you!

John Filippelli

EPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, PR, VI)

filippelli.john@epa.gov EPA’s Climate Change Web site:

www.epa.gov/climatechange