Technology and Policy Greenhouse Gas Inventories Ann Elsen Elsen Energy Associates ElsenEnergy.com May 31, 2008 Cool Cities Workshop Sierra Club – Maryland Chapter
Dec 28, 2015
Technology and Policy
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Ann ElsenElsen Energy Associates
ElsenEnergy.comMay 31, 2008
Cool Cities WorkshopSierra Club – Maryland Chapter
If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
• Inventory identifies sources and causes of emissions –shows you what you need to mitigate
• Inventory baseline = snapshot in time for a base year, for comparison, the baseline will never change
• Protocols - for identifying and quantifying emissions sources
• Tools - for making calculations & unit conversions
• Watch out! Don’t let the data drive the process.
Purpose of Inventory
Communicate sources of greenhouse gas emissions
Establish baseline for future comparison
Identify energy and resource waste and its cost
Enable financial decisions
Initiate meaningful change
By itself, even the best inventory provides zero emissions reductions
Why Conduct an Inventory?
The right reasons• Measure emissions in order to
manage them• Accountability – basis for
performance measures and tracking progress
• Arial view – what are biggest/best opportunities?
• Management – what is within scope of control?
• Prioritization – what to tackle first, identify immediate reduction vs. long-term investments
Why Conduct an Inventory?
The wrong reasons• Fear – maintain control through an
extended “process”
• We have no money – let’s just study it until we can figure out how to fund it
• We have some money – let’s throw $ at a consultant to appease the environmental community
• Tool for delay
Some Types of Approaches
Avoidance – identify a cost and delay inventory until funding is available
Expensive – pay someone to do it
In-house – by government staff
Student project or thesis - inexpensive
Participative – community representation and buy-in – more appropriate at Action Plan stage
Guerilla – campaign organizers conduct community-wide inventory on their own (best to omit government facilities at this stage – mitigate fear factor)
Step by Step ProcessResources on the Cool Cities
Web site
GHG Inventory Training Presentation For Tonight!Link to New Presentation for GHG Inventory Training
More > Cool Counties Success in MDRead about Montgomery County's new laws! More > CoolState WashingtonTake a look at this fantastic website from the folks working to cool WA
More > NEW Early Implementation Solutions!First steps your city should take... More > ICLEI Clean Air and Climate Protection Software Demo VideoView the short video More >
Emissions Sources
Key Areas to Address in Inventory:• Energy consumption and fuel source
• Municipal solid waste management – Resources: WasteWise Communities, Pay As You Throw (PAYT), WARM Calculator
• Transportation and land use planning
FY04 FY03 FY02 units
Fuel Oil:
#1 308,049 239,346 175,719 gallons
#2 and #3 8,408,135 12,426,256 3,615,106 gallons
#4 0 2,215 2,796 gallons
#5 0 0 0 gallons
#6 0 0 0 gallons
L.P. Gas 6,583,243 7,417,662 6,001,451 pounds
Coal none none none tons
Steam none none none therms
Electricity 5,174,566,271 5,287,050,52
4 4,998,342,09
9 kwh
Natural Gas 110,727,319 125,967,516 72,520,986 therms
Non-residential Energy Consumption, Montgomery County [based on fuel energy tax revenues]
Data Example:
Sources of Emissions - Arial View
200000
250000
300000
350000
400000
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
CorporateEmissionsOffset =218,000 TonsCO2-E
TotalCorporateEmissions
1991-2010 Montgomery County, MD Corporate CO2-E Emission Reductions From Proposed 5% Wind Purchase (In Metric Tons)
Source: Montgomery County, MD Department of Finance using Torrie Smith/ICLEI CCP Software Version 5.0
1996: Abnormally Cold Winter
Energy ConsumptionCounty Agencies Example
(measured 2001)
Reporting Findings
• Communicate process to move forward – in person whenever possible
• Identify next steps and specific people responsible
• Written document – keep it brief – use appendices
• Make a one-page summary as stand-alone handout
“Action brings good fortune.”