Category Archives: Greenhouse Gas
COPs and CAPs: Goals for stabilization of carbon emissions
The COP21 talks and events started on Monday November 30, 2015. Though California is not a nation, and therefore not a member of the UNFCCC, there are 8 California lawmakers accompanying Governor Brown to the Conference. While the US government, … Continue reading
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part II
In my last post, I discussed the dilemma of how to allocate the avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emission between policies that policies to increase renewable electricity and reduce electricity consumption. Estimating the effects of increased renewable first will artificially increase … Continue reading
INDCs and Why Cities are Important for Global Climate Action
As we approach UNFCCC’s 21st session of the Conference of Parties (COP 21) to take place November 30 – December 11 in Paris, expectations are high that more than 190 nations will be able to come to some kind of … Continue reading
Splitting the Emissions Baby: Allocating GHG Reductions in the Electricity Sector Part I
One area of our work at EPIC is to provide technical support to cities, counties, and regional planning organizations in the climate planning process. This work includes estimating greenhouse gas emissions for inventories and the reductions expected from a variety of policies … Continue reading
What is Business-As-Usual? Projecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the Regional Level
Projecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is important because it helps us to assess how much the energy and GHG policies in place help to achieve targets set by law. For example, if we apply California’s AB32 target to the San … Continue reading
Half-Empty Planes: Utilization Rates for California’s Electric Grid Part I
The electric grid is designed to handle the highest demand expected in a given period, commonly referred to as peak demand. Depending on many factors, the time needed for peak demand and period of high demand approaching peak can be … Continue reading
Addressing the Role of Electric Vehicles in Greenhouse Gas Reduction: California State Legislative Action
This is the first post in a series looking at legislative and regulatory action addressing Electric Vehicle (EV) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. This first post focuses on state legislative action. California depends on petroleum for 92% of its transportation … Continue reading
Senator Pavley Introduces SB 32 (2015-2016) to Amend the AB 32 California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, generally known as AB 32, mandated that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopt both statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits equivalent to the statewide GHG emission level in 1990 and rules … Continue reading
Regional Transportation Plan Litigation: Fourth Appellate District Finds SANDAG Transporation Plan Violated CEQA
In Cleveland National Forest Foundation v. SANDAG, a three-judge panel from the California Forth Appellate District heard SANDAG’s appeal of a trial court ruling on the first Regional Transportation Plan put forward by one of the state’s nine regional planning … Continue reading
Climate Action Plan Litigation: San Diego County Appeals Fourth Appellate District CEQA Decision
In Sierra Club v. County of San Diego a three-judge panel of the Fourth Appellate District heard an appeal by the County of San Diego of a superior court finding that the County violated CEQA by not complying with the … Continue reading