AB 32 and Other Climate
Change Drivers
Jay R. Witherspoon
jay.witherspoon@ch2m.com.au
January 24, 2008
Climate Change Impacts on
POTWs
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Reduced flexibility of existing infrastructure to
deliver sustainable water supplies
Increased vulnerability of existing
infrastructure to extreme flooding
Reduced reliability and effectiveness of
reservoir storage – as a system management
tool & increased reservoir evaporation
Increased reliance on groundwater storage
during droughts
AB 32 POTWs Impacts
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Voluntary Participation
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Participated in CCAR before 12/31/06
Have GHG Reporting Program
1st Round Mandatory GHG Emissions
Reporting
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POTWs as a Source Category not included
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Most POTWs spared due to low combustion source GHG
emissions
Some POTWs with high emitting GHG combustion
sources are engaged
Estimated Mandatory Reporting starting in
2009 or 2010
AB 32 Impacts on POTWs
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Early Actions
Mandatory Emissions Reporting
Scoping Plan and Emissions
Reductions
Cap and Trade Program
Early Actions
Early Actions
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Initial 37 reduction strategies (June 2007)
3 discrete early actions enforceable (January 2010)
None directed specifically at POTW sector
Actions directed at other sectors (e.g., transportation) - will
have some impact on POTW operations
Additional Early Actions
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ARB evaluating 44 additional reduction strategies
9 additional discrete early actions (regulatory)
Before Board beginning in 2008
Voluntary early actions:
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Above and beyond regulatory requirements
CARB to ensure “appropriate credit”
Entities must document their emissions reductions
Mandatory Emissions
Reporting
Initial Phase of Reporting to begin in 2009
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POTWs not identified as a specific sector
to report in 2009
However, POTWs may be required to
report their emissions associated with the
following:
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Power/utility facility (≥1 MW)
Cogeneration facility (≥ 1 MW)
Large stationary combustion source
(≥ 25 metric tons CO2)
AB 32 POTWs Impacts
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POTWs Process GHG Emissions Sources
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CH4 (methane gas)
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N2O
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anaerobic degradation, digestion
natural by-product of sewage (degradation of
urea, nitrate, protein)
intermediate product of
nitrification/denitrification
CO2 is Biogenic = net zero impacts
POTW GHG Emissions
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CH4
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6% of all California CH4 emissions (2002)
EPA Inventory, CH4 contribution by wastewater
sector:
Source: Patrick Griffith/LACSD & US EPA
GHG Inventory
POTW GHG Emissions
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N2O
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2.7% of all California N2O emissions (2002)
EPA Inventory, N2O contribution by wastewater
sector:
Source: Patrick Griffith/LACSD & US EPA
GHG Inventory
POTW GHG Emissions
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CO2
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process emissions considered biogenic
combustion
electricity purchases
Significant CO2 emissions tied to
energy use!
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19% of California’s total electricity demand
spent on provision of water and wastewater
services
My Initial Conclusions
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WWTP is not an identified source of CO2 emissions since
CO2 emitted began as CO2 in the atmosphere fixed to food
production – we are just returning it
Our anthropogenic sources of CH4 and N2O are
conservatively estimated (much higher than they actually
are) by both methodology and specific assumptions used
(IPCC procedures).
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Use maximum values
Neglect removal efficiencies (can’t operate at 100%)
Assume facultative systems operate anaerobically
For CH4 – used BOD loadings on per-capita values & can’t
reproduce EPA’s numbers???
For NO2 – used nitrogen discharges on per-capita protein
consumption, plus added two factors that increase emissions by
75% - EPA’s numbers are double my calculations
AB 32 POTWs Impacts
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POTWs will need GHG Emissions
Inventories
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Need Emissions Inventory Protocols
Types of Emissions to Report
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Direct (Mobile, Direct, Process, Fugitive)
Indirect (Purchase Energy)
Deminimus (Insignificant)
Targeted WWTP Protocol
Sources
Blue Boxes are California POTWs
Focused Sources
AB 32 POTWs Impacts
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2007
2008
2020
2010
2011
2012
- Early Action Reduction Measures
– 1990 Emissions Inventory –
Emission Limit
– Early Action Plan & Regulations
– Scoping Plan
– Market Based Trading Program
GHG Activities Beyond
California
International and National
Drivers
Kyoto Protocol
 European Union, Emissions
Trading Scheme
 Increase in US Federal Action and
Legislative proposals on climate
change mitigation
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U.S. State Action
GHG Reporting
and Registries
GHG Emission Targets
Climate Action Plans
Source: www.pewclimate.org
Regional and State Drivers
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RGGI
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Western States Initiative
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Regional cap and trade program for 7 Northeast
states, initially focusing on emissions from power
plants
CA, OR, WA, NM, and AZ plan to cut their states'
GHG emissions and establish a regional carbontrading system.
AB 32
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California legislation to reduce the state’s GHG
emissions.
U.S. Congressional Interest
in Climate Change
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1975: First hearings on global warming occurred
1989: Dr. James Hansen of NASA testifies before
Al Gore’s Senate Committee
1997: The Byrd-Hagel Resolution passes 95-0
1998: “Kyoto” never sent to the Senate for
ratification
2003: First McCain-Lieberman GHG Bill defeated
2004: The Gilchrest-Olver Climate Stewardship
Act is introduced.
2007: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sets a June
deadline for House committee legislative action
and establishes a Select Committee on Energy
Independence and Global Warming
Laws & Schedule to Reduce
Emissions
Australian GHG Accounts and
Reduction Goals
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GHG Accounts & Reductions focused on:
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Energy
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Stationary, Transport, Fugitive
Industrial Processes
Solvent & Other Product Usage
Agriculture
Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry
Waste
Australia’s share of world GHG emissions was
1.5% in 2005
Concerns seen in National papers on a daily
basis
Australian GHG Accounts and
Reduction Goals
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GHG Accounts & Reductions focused
on:
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Energy
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Stationary, Transport, Fugitive
Industrial Processes
Agriculture
Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry
Waste
Australia share of world GHG emissions
was 1.5% in 2005
AB 32 Impacts on POTWs
GHG Emission Reductions
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Voluntary and Regulatory
Where are reduction currently taking place?
Where can additional reduction come from?
Quantifying Reductions
Cap-and-Trade Program
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Receiving Carbon Credits
Marketing Credits
GHG Emission Reduction
Opportunities
Emission
Source
Liquid Process
Emission Reduction Opportunities
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Reduce CH4 emissions:
Capture all CH4 produced
 Flare or use CH4 as fuel source
 Aerobically stabilize organic matter, rather than
anaerobically
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Reduce CO2 emissions:
Modify processes to reduce stabilization of
biodegradable organic matter
 Increase denitrification
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Solids Process
Configure the solids treatment process to minimize
emissions of CH4, in preference to CO2
 Incineration results in direct Reduce CO2 emissions:
Incineration results in direct conversion of the organic
matter into CO2 and its emission. CO2 emissions resulting
from organic matter may be considered carbon neutral as
regulations develop
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GHG Emission Reduction
Opportunities (cont.)
Emission
Source
Emission Reduction Opportunities
Energy Use
Reduce primary energy consumption:
Electrical energy consumption
Fossil fuel consumption
Consider the use of biofuels
Use electrical energy produced by techniques other than
fossil fuel consumption (such as wind or solar)
Consider energy efficient power generation
Relative Distribution in Water
Treatment – 10 MGD example
Source: Keith Carns/Global Energy Partners
Relative Distribution of Plant
Power – 7.5 MGD WWTP
Source: Keith Carns/Global Energy Partners
City of Portland , Oregon, USA
First American City to Adopt a
Local Strategy for Greenhouse
Gas Emissions (1993)
Energy Use and Emissions
Sources in Portland
Residential
20%
Commercial
16%
Waste
7%
Transportation
37%
Industrial
20%
City of Portland, Oregon
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Transportation dominates GHG emission sources
in Portland. Reasons are:
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Low population density
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Suburban character of the area
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Abundance of commuters
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Relatively minor presence of heavy industry
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Relatively mild climate means transportation energy
use is proportionately higher than heating/cooling
energy use
Portland, Oregon
GHG Reduction in Transportation
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Reduce auto travel & increase transit use through mixed
land use planning
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Increase availability of housing in downtown area
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Construct more bikeways and bicycle parking
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Give transit and carpooling incentives to City employees
through Trip Reduction Incentives Program (TRIP)
It has been working...transit use has increased 30% &
auto commute trips have been reduced by 20%
Portland, Oregon
Energy Efficiency Measures
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City government has reduced energy use by 15% since
1990
Results: City’s capital investment of $4 million creates
annual savings of $1.2 million and CO2 reduction of
10,000 tons/year
Customer driven programs such as “Block-by-Block
Weatherization” and “Multi-family Energy Saving”
created demand reduction of 80 MW (=54,000 homes)
Developed “Businesses for an Environmentally
Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST)” and EPA’s “Climate Wise
Program”
Assisted by State Policies
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Statewide benchmark to hold GHG emissions at 1990
levels.
CO2 emission standard for new energy production
facilities of 0.7 lbs CO2 per kWh
Business Energy Tax Credit
Residential Building Code changes to cut energy use in
new homes
Transportation Planning Rule to reduce vehicle-milestraveled by 20% per capita in metro areas in 30 years
Western Climate Initiative
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The Western Climate Initiative is a collaboration which was launched
in February 2007 to develop regional strategies to address climate
change
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WCI is identifying, evaluating and implementing collective and
cooperative ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the region.
Through WCI, the partners set an overall regional goal in August
2007 for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
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By the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and
Washington.
In the spring of 2007, the Governor of Utah and the Premiers of British
Columbia and Manitoba joined the Initiative. Other states and provinces
have joined as observers.
The partners have developed a Workplan to guide their work and are
seeking public input on the process.
By August 2008 the Partners will also complete the design of a marketbased mechanism to help achieve that reduction goal.
Similar to CARB in many ways, but with more aggressive deadlines
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CARB is looking to align their efforts with WCI while still meeting their
own goals
Recommendations for POTWs
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Develop a GHG Inventory Early
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Use existing protocols for now
Refine with CWCCG method
Practice for mandatory reporting which will begin in 2009
Meet any applicable discrete early action
requirements
Develop and implement GHG emissions reduction
strategies
Track emissions reductions to receive credit
Follow CARB rule making and communicate with
CARB