Proposed Federal Actions Relating to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Proposed Federal Actions Relating to Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
Amy Zimpfer Associate Director, Air
Division USEPA, Region 9
CALCOG Regional Issues Forum Impact of New
Upcoming Federal Legislation Regulations on
California April 30, 2009
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Obama Administration Goals

• Strong linkages between energy security,
  environmental protection, and economic growth
• Financial investments
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• USEPA 2009 Budget
• Develop cap and trade program, request action
  From Congress
• EPA priorities science, transparency, rule of law

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Federal Regulatory Activities

• Reconsideration of CA waiver
• Proposed GHG reporting rule
• Proposed Endangerment finding
• Renewable Fuels Standard

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Reconsideration of CA waiver request

• EPA has now set in motion an impartial review of
  the California waiver decision. It is imperative
  that we get this decision right, and base it on
  the best available science and a thorough
  understanding of the law. Lisa Jackson, EPA
• EPA received 180,000 comments in the latest
  comment period
• Budget law requires decision by June 30
• For more info on CA Waiver
• www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/ca-waiver.htm

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Proposed Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule

• Applies to
• Suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial
  greenhouse gases
• Manufacturers of vehicles and engines
• Large-scale agricultural facilities
• Other facilities that emit more than 25,000
  mTCO2-eq
• Encompasses 85-90 of total US greenhouse gases
• Data verified by EPA, not third party

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Proposed Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule

• Proposed March 10, 2009, published April 10, 2009
  
• Public hearings have passed
• April 6,7 - Washington DC
• April 16 - Sacramento
• 60-day public comment period - ends on June 9,
  2009
• For more info on GHG Reporting Rule
• www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.
  html

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Proposed Endangerment Finding

• Proposed finding that
• 6 GHGs threaten the public health and welfare
• 4 GHGs from new motor vehicles contribute to
  atmospheric concentrations
• This finding confirms that greenhouse gas
  pollution is a serious problem now and for future
  generations. Fortunately, it follows President
  Obamas call for a low carbon economy and strong
  leadership in Congress on clean energy and
  climate legislation, - Lisa Jackson, EPA

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Proposed Endangerment Finding

• Proposed finding signed by Administrator on April
  17, published in Federal Register April 24, 2009.
  
• Public hearings are scheduled for
• May 18, 2009 Arlington
• May 21,2009 in Seattle
• 60-day comment period ends on June 23, 2009
• For more info on the Endangerment Finding
• www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html

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Renewable Fuels Standard

• Energy Security Act of 2005
• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
• Increases the amounts of renewable motor fuels
• to 36-billion gallons by 2022.
• EPA should complete rules in the next several
  months.
• For more info on Renewable Fuels Standard
• www.epa.gov//otaq/renewablefuels/

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Non-Regulatory Actions Next Steps

• Voluntary Climate Partnerships
• Funding Programs
• Legislation

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EPA Non-Regulatory Climate Partnerships

• Intel Corporation
• Rank 1 Green Power Purchasing
• Purchase over 1.3 Billion kWh/yr
• Renewables account for 47 of the organizations
  electricity
• http//yosemite.epa.gov/gw/statepolicyactions.nsf/
  webpages/VoluntaryPartnershipPrograms.html

West Coast Collaborative
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

• 42 Billion Climate Change Mitigation, Clean
  Energy, Energy Efficiency
• EPA
• 6 Billion State Revolving Funds
• 20 set aside for green infrastructure
• CA Clean Water State Revolving Fund still
  accepting applications
• 300 million Reduce diesel emissions
• DOE
• 6.3 billion Energy Efficiency and Conservation
  Block Grants and State Energy Program.
• 300 million Clean Cities Program

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USEPA 2009 Budget Highlights

• 18.4 million Global Change Research
• 2 million to study Greenhouse Gas mitigation
  and adaptation strategies.
• 50 million Energy Star Program
• 6.5 million Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting
  rule
• 10 million Climate Showcase Community Grant
  Program
• Look for RFP in July

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Presidents Proposed 2010 USEPA Budget

• Proposed reduction of greenhouse gases
  approximately 14 below 2005 levels by 2020 and
  83 by 2050.
• Market-based national cap-and-trade
• 100 percent auction
• Revenues of 650 Billion over next ten years
• 150 Billion to be reinvested in greenhouse gas
  mitigation

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Legislation - Draft American Clean Energy
Security Act (Waxman Markey)

• A clean energy title that promotes renewable
  sources of energy, carbon capture and
  sequestration technologies, low-carbon fuels,
  clean electric vehicles, and the smart grid and
  electricity transmission
• An energy efficiency title that increases energy
  efficiency across all sectors of the economy,
  including buildings, appliances, transportation,
  and industry
• A global warming title that places limits on
  emissions of heat-trapping pollutants, including
  a cap-and-trade program that would include oil
  companies and
• A transitioning title that protects U.S.
  consumers and industry and promotes green jobs
  during the transition to a clean energy economy.

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Legislation - Draft American Clean Energy
Security Act (Waxman Markey)

• Title II - Energy Efficiency, Subtitle 3-
  Transportation Efficiency
• Part D - Planning Requirements
• States to Set GHG reduction goals and strategies
• Competitive Grant Program to MPOs
• Strategies suggested to achieve the goals include
  land use, increased transit, pricing, increased
  walking and biking, etc.

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Contacts EPA Transportation Planning Coordination

• SAFETEA-LU consultation between MPOs and EPA
• Developing regional mitigation strategies and
  early identification of environmental impacts
  Maggie Witt, Region 9 witt.maggie_at_epa.gov
• Conformity issues and coordination with ARB
  regarding GHG targets Karina OConnor
  oconnor.karina_at_epa.gov
• Other Federal GHG Programs - Sarah Rizk -
  rizk.sarah_at_epa.gov

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Looking Forward

• UNFCC Copenhagen Meeting 12/09
• Potential Regulatory Decisions
• Proposed Endangerment Finding
• GHG Mandatory Reporting Rule
• CA Waiver
• Renewable Fuels Standard
• Power Plan Permits /Carbon Capture and Storage
• Engage in Legislative Dialogue

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Questions?
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Other Federal Partnerships

• US DOT - Housing and Urban Development
  Partnership
• Sustainable Communities Initiative
• Encourage
• Transit-oriented Development
• Integrated Planning
• Harmonization of Transportation Housing Plans