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July/August 2015
TCR Newsletter
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Dear friends and colleagues,
Last week , the U.S. EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon pollution from existing U.S. power plants 32 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. This historic rulemaking addresses the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and will reduce the soot and smog that harm health while advancing clean energy, and laying the foundation for the long-term strategy needed to tackle climate change.
The Clean Power Plan sets state-specific reduction targets for existing power plants coupled with flexible options to achieve those reductions, including energy efficiency and interstate credit and allowance trading, supported by EPA-approved or administered tracking systems such as TCR's proposed Energy Efficiency Registry.
The release of the final Clean Power Plan marks a seminal moment in U.S. climate and energy policy. States on TCR's board, TCR members and other stakeholders across the political spectrum now have an exciting opportunity to work together to develop implementation approaches to the Clean Power Plan. TCR staff look forward to working with our community to develop solutions and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coordination with this regulation, such as our proposed Energy Efficiency Registry, which seeks to lower compliance costs for states, reduce hurdles to implementing high-quality energy efficiency projects , and open new market opportunities for businesses.
My very best,
David Rosenheim
Executive Director
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Key Updates to U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan
The finalization of U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan relied on an unprecedented public engagement process following the release of the draft plan in June of 2014. In response to the over 4.3 million comments received on that document, the following key changes were implemented:
- More uniform state targets were set based on opportunities for improving efficiency at power plants, shifting generation from coal to natural gas, and shifting generation to renewables.
- Final state plan submissions may be submitted as late as September 2018, to allow states the time to craft and support more sophisticated and cost effective plans.
- EPA-developed both state-specific rate and mass-based target options, to reduce uncertainty around acceptable state-derived mass-based targets.
- A more gradual interim goal strategy was included to ensure progress towards final targets.
- Backstops were included to help preserve grid reliability
- The Clean Energy Incentive Program was established to incentivize early investment in renewables and low income energy efficiency.
In addition to the final Clean Power Plan, U.S. EPA proposed a state-specific federal plan, two model trading rules for use by any state, and draft evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) guidance for demand-side energy efficiency. The proposed federal plan would go into effect should a state not submit an approved state plan by the deadline. However, states will always have the option to submit full or partial plans after the federal rule is implemented. The state model trading rules are provided as part of the federal plan, to help states develop trading-ready plans that can be implemented without pre-existing interstate agreements. Finally, the draft EM&V guidance for demand-side energy efficiency will help states participating in rate-based plans ensure emission reduction credits are properly quantified and verified.
U.S. EPA will be accepting comments on the proposed federal plan and model rules (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ- OAR-2015-0199) and the draft EM&V guidance for 90 days following the publication of the proposed federal plan and model rules in the Federal Register. Comments on the draft EM&V guidance must be emailed to emvinput@epa.gov.
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You're Invited to Join Us in Seattle for the
2016 Climate Leadership Conference
March 8-10
Now in its fifth year, the Climate Leadership Conference (CLC) has become the pre-eminent exchange for addressing global climate change through policy, innovation, and business solutions. Hosted by TCR and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as CLC's headline sponsor, the event convenes around EPA's prestigious Climate Leadership Awards and brings climate, energy , and sustainability professionals together to share climate success stories, build new business connections, and celebrate climate leadership.
Ways to Participate in the 2016 Climate Leadership Conference:
- Contribute to the program. Call for speaker & session proposals is open through September 15th.
- View guidelines and submission form HERE.
- Market your brand. Sponsorship & exhibit opportunities are now available.
- View 2016 prospectus HERE.
- Book your travel. Registration will open this fall, but discounted rooms are available now.
- Contact Sheraton Hotel Seattle reservations HERE.
- Apply for a 2016 Climate Leadership Award (through September 25th).
- Learn more about how to apply HERE.
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Join TCR today and receive 20% off the annual membership fee!
TCR members enjoy the benefits of GHG reporting software, technical expertise, a network of climate change professionals, and so much more. For a limited time, new members receive 20% off their annual membership fees and existing members receive a 20% discount for referring new members.
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Congratulations, renewing Cool Planet members!
California State University, San Bernardino
Gills Onions LLC
City of Palm Springs, CA
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  Hot Off the Press:
Kilroy Realty Corporation's sustainability vision minimizes the environmental impact of construction and operation of its buildings while maximizing tenant comfort, health, and financial savings. Since the inception of their sustainability
programs, the City of Beaumont, CA has
reduced electricity usage by completing
retrofits of community buildings, including
the Civic Center and the Police Department. Learn more about what both of these organizations are doing to safeguard the changing climate and contribute to a more sustainable world in the Cool Planet Success Story.
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Upcoming Events
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Join us at the 6th annual
August 26 - 28
Attendees, partners and presenters will reflect the broad scope of stakeholders needed to rethink and renew our cities with resilience for a changing climate. Join water leaders as we drive the paradigm shift for water sustainability.
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October 18 - 20
Washington, D.C.
Renewable Energy Markets (REM) is the clean energy industry's most important annual event focused on the states, businesses, organizations, and households that choose clean, renewable electricity every day.
TCR Members receive a 10% discount off the registration fee. Email the Help Desk for the discount code.
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Upcoming Webinar for TCR Members Only:
Prepare for Verification
Thursday, August 27
10am - 11am PDT
This webinar will introduce you to the verification process and explain how verifying your inventory can benefit your organization. We'll also provide tips to help you prepare your inventory for verification, select a verification body, and complete verification in CRIS 4.
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Congratulations, Climate Registered™ Members!
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Our Climate Registered™ Members have demonstrated a commitment to accurate and transparent carbon data by reporting and verifying their annual greenhouse gas emissions to The Climate Registry's high standards. To
help celebrate their accomplishments, TCR awards its Climate Registered™ Members with certificates of achievement each spring.
Climate Registered™ members, your certificates have been mailed to you! We encourage you to post a photo with your #ClimateRegistered Certificate to Facebook or Twitter to share your accomplishment. Be sure to tag @theclimatereg on Twitter or The Climate Registry on Facebook , and stop by our pages to check out our #ClimateRegistered photo album.
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| US Postal Service does much more than deliver your mail - they're Climate Registered too! David Rosenheim, Executive Director of The Climate Registry, presented a certificate to Thomas Day, Chief Sustainability Officer, at the USPS office in Washington, D. C. in July.
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Port of Portland has been Climate Registered for seven years running. Keep up the great work! TCR's Amy Holm delivered their certificate in person last week. Pictured from left to right: Sam Hartsfield (Environmental Specialist), Amy Holm (TCR), Curtis Robinhold (Deputy Executive Director), and Phil Ralston (General Manager of Environmental Operations).
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TCR welcomes a new intern
We're pleased to welcome Evan Healey to the TCR team this summer. Evan joins our team as a summer intern from Northern Arizona University's master's program in Climate Science & Solutions. When he's not busy with classes or working for TCR, Evan likes to compete in triathlons and plays golf and hockey. Welcome, Evan!
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