Carbon Considerations for Infrastructure Projects

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Carbon Considerations for Infrastructure Projects
Laura Farris EPA Region 8 Climate Change
Coordinator February 19, 2010
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Table of Contents

• Recent EPA Actions
• Next Steps
• State and Local Considerations
• Carbon Reduction Strategies
• Adaptation Strategies
• Other Opportunities to Demonstrate Leadership

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Recent EPA Actions

• Carbon Capture and Storage Rule
• Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• GHG Reporting Rule
• Endangerment Finding
• Renewable Fuel Standard 2
• Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards
• GHG Tailoring Rule

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Recent EPA Actions
EPA Action Published in Federal Register End to Public Comment Period Status
Proposed Carbon Capture and Storage Rule July 25, 2008 November 24, 2008 EPA Review
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking July 30, 2008 November 28, 2008 EPA Review
Proposed GHG Reporting Rule April 10, 2009 June 9, 2009 Final
Proposed Endangerment Finding April 24, 2009 June 23, 2009 Final
Proposed Renewable Fuels Standards 2 May 26, 2009 September 25, 2009 EPA Review
Proposed Carbon Capture and Storage Rule Supplement August 31, 2009 October 15, 2009 EPA Review
Proposed Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards September 28, 2009 November 27, 2009 EPA Review
Proposed GHG Tailoring Rule October 27, 2009 December 28, 2009 EPA Review
Final GHG Reporting Rule October 30, 2009 NA Final on December 29, 2009
Final Endangerment Finding December 15, 2009 NA Final on December 15, 2009
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Carbon Capture and Storage Rule

• Regulations being developed under the authority
  of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Underground
  Injection Control (UIC) Program
• Establishes a new class of wells for CO2 (Class
  VI)
• The UIC regulations are designed to help ensure
  that injected fluids do not endanger underground
  sources of drinking water
• EPAs proposal applies to owners or operators of
  wells that will be used to inject CO2 into the
  subsurface for the purpose of long-term storage
• The proposed rule is the proposed framework for
  permitting wells, but does not require any
  facilities to capture and/or sequester CO2

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Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - ANPR

• EPA issued the ANPR to
• Respond to Supreme Court Ruling that GHGs are air
  pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA), as well
  as 7 petitions to set GHG standards for various
  mobile source categories
• Review EPAs work to date on potential motor
  vehicle GHG standards
• Examine CAA provisions potentially applicable to
  GHGs, and the range of potential regulatory
  approaches and technology opportunities
• Provide information on the science of climate
  change, and seek public comment

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GHG Reporting Rule

• In response to the FY2008 Consolidated
  Appropriations Act
• Suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial GHGs,
  manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and
  facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more
  per year of GHGs
• (covers 85 of national ghg emissions -
  10,000 facilities)
• Facilities report all information directly to EPA
  annually starting in March 2011
• Will enable EPA to track emissions trends over
  time, determine response to policies and
  potential regulations
• Raise awareness of emissions among reporters and
  other stakeholders, and contribute to efforts to
  identify reduction opportunities

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Endangerment Finding

• In response to the April 2, 2007, Supreme Court
  decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, EPAs
  Administrator has made a finding that
• Six GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6)
  endanger public health and welfare
• Emissions of CO2, CH4, N2O, and HFCs from new
  motor vehicles contribute to the atmospheric
  concentrations of these GHGs

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Renewable Fuel Standard 2

• EPA is developing a new Renewable Fuels Standards
  (RFS2) per the Energy Independence and Security
  Act (EISA) of 2007
• Directed to revise and implement regulations to
  ensure that gasoline and diesel sold in the
  United States contains a minimum volume of
  renewable fuel
• RFS2 will increase the volume of renewable fuel
  required to be blended into gasoline and diesel
  from 12.95 billion gallons in 2010 to 36 billion
  gallons by 2022 (increase is mostly
  cellulostic/advanced biofuels)
• Sets mandatory lifecycle GHG reduction thresholds
  for renewable fuel categories, as compared to
  petroleum fuels used in 2005

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Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards

• On May 19, 2009, President Obama announced a
  national policy to reduce GHG emissions and
  improve fuel economy for all new cars and trucks,
  covering model years 2012 through 2016
• EPA proposed first ever federal GHG standards for
  light-duty vehicles using its authority under the
  Clean Air Act (CAA)
• - Target GHG emissions of 250 grams per mile
  by 2016
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  (NHTSA) proposed related fuel economy standards
  under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
  (EPCA)
• - Target fleet-wide average of 34.1 mpg by
  2016

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GHG Tailoring Rule

• The rule proposes new thresholds for greenhouse
  gas emissions (GHG) under the Clean Air Act (CAA)
  New Source Review (NSR) and Title V Operating
  Permits Programs for new or existing facilities
• Under Title V, EPA is proposing a major source
  applicability threshold of 25,000 tpy CO2e for
  existing facilities  (would cover 70 percent of
  the national GHG emissions that come from
  stationary sources)
• Under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
  (PSD) portion of NSREPA is proposing a major
  stationary source threshold of 25,000 tpy CO2e,
  and a significance level between 10,000 and
  25,000 tpy CO2e.

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Next Steps

• Analyze BACT options for various source
  categories
• - carbon capture and sequestration systems
• - improving energy and process efficiency
• - clean fuel alternatives
• - control of fugitive emissions
• - considering alternative BACT options, like
  offsets
• Work with permitting authorities and EPA Regional
  Offices to ensure implementation capabilities

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Regional, State, and Local Considerations

• Regional GHG Management Programs
• The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (REGGI) -
  10 Eastern States have capped CO2 emissions from
  the power sector, and will require a 10
  reduction in CO2 emissions by 2018
• Western Climate Initiative (WCI) 11 Western
  States and Canadian Provinces are planning a
  joint strategy to reduce greenhouse gas
  emissions. The centerpiece of the WCI strategy
  is a regional cap-and-trade program.  If fully
  implemented in 2015, the program will cover
  nearly 90 percent of GHG emissions
• State and Local Climate Action Plans, and related
  policies, programs, resolutions, and laws

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Carbon Reduction Strategies

• Green Building and Construction Practices
• Use green construction and building practices in
  the planning, design and construction of
  infrastructure, buildings, and other projects.
  For example
• Use Energy Star-rated products to reduce energy
  use.
• Reuse and/or recycle construction and
  demolition debris.
• Reuse industrial materials in construction
  projects, such as in concrete.

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Carbon Reduction Strategies

• Smart Energy Practices
• Use smart energy practices during project
  design, construction and operation.
• For example
• Use energy efficient products and practices.
• Purchase renewable energy from local utilities.
• Incorporate renewable energy or combined heat
  and power into project designs.

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Carbon Reduction Strategies

• Water Management Practices
• Use water conservation and green storm water
  management practices in building and landscape
  design, site redevelopment planning, and in
  cleanup strategies. For example
• Employ water efficient products and practices in
  building and landscaping projects, including
  those that meet EPAs WaterSense standards.
• Use green infrastructure approaches to managing
  storm water, for example, permeable pavement and
  green roofs.
• Work with water utilities to implement
  sustainable water infrastructure practices,
  including full-cost pricing, efficient use of
  water and energy, and source-water protection.
• EPAs Sustainable Water Infrastructure Webpage
  can be found at
• http//www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/

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Carbon Reduction Strategies

• Diesel Emissions Reduction Strategies
• Use clean diesel practices for all on-road and
  off-road vehicles and equipment. For example
• Reduce unnecessary idling through the use of
  auxiliary power units, and strict enforcement of
  idling limits.
• Use verified diesel emission control technology
  ("VDEC"), including verified diesel
• particulate filters ("DPFs") or diesel oxidation
  catalysts ("DOCs").
• Use cleaner fuels, such as ultra low sulfur
  diesel (ULDS), biodiesel, liquid petroleum gas,
  or compressed natural gas.
• Practice good engine maintenance to meet original
  standards, and properly train operators to run
  equipment efficiently.
• EPAs Low Cost Ways to Reduce Emissions from
  Construction Equipment
• can be found at http//www.epa.gov/ispd/pdf/emiss
  ion_0307.pdf

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Other Opportunities to Demonstrate Leadership

• EPA Voluntary Partnership Programs
• to Achieve GHG reductions
• Climate Leaders Corporate and Small Business
• Energy Star
• Green Power Partnership
• Wastewise

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Adaptation Strategies

• Siting/Design Considerations
• Weather/Climate Analysis
• Sea Level Rise/Salt Water Intrusion
• Flood Plains

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Thank You!

Laura Farris EPA Region 8 Climate Change
Coordinator 1595 Wynkoop Sreet Denver, CO
80202 303-312-6388