The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001.  Please see www.state.gov for material released since President George W. Bush took office on that date.  This site is not updated so external links may no longer function.  Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Appendix A: Climate Plan Actions (cont.)

Renewable Energy Commercialization--Photovoltaics (Climate Plan Action 26)

DOE is working with the photovoltaic (PV) industry and others to reduce the price of electricity from PV systems, raise the lifetime of PV modules to 30 years, and increase PV module efficiencies. DOE's program efforts focus on three major elements: market conditioning, joint ventures, and strategic technological research.

This action is being accomplished via four major projects: TEAM-UP, a market-acceleration program taking place in cooperation with the Utility Photovoltaic Group (UPVG); Renewable Energy Technology Analysis, a program to evaluate and promote understanding of long-term costs and benefits of PV technologies; a program that supports state-level planning; and a program to support consumer advocates who will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PV installations. TEAM-UP will address both grid-connected applications of PV, as well as the grid-independent PV, applications.

Achievements

• DOE's most active partner, the Utility Photovoltaic Group (UPVG), has grown into an 84-member organization representing all sectors of the electric utility industry and more than 45 percent of U.S. kilowatt-hour electricity sales.
• The UPVG awarded eight contracts for market-development efforts for grid-independent PV applications, which collectively identified 130 utilities with potential to participate in market-development efforts.
• One grid-independent application team receiving UPVG support, the Photovoltaic Services Network, represents more than 40 electric utilities in 12 states in the West and Midwest.
• To date, the UPVG has awarded contracts to 19 teams, installing $50 million in new PV installations with a 4:1 industry/DOE cost-shared ratio. The project includes more than 1,640 individual PV systems totaling more than 8 megawatts, all connected to electric utility systems. The awards will result in new PV installations in more than 25 states nationwide.
• DOE supported the installation of a 340-kW PV roof system, the world's largest PV roof system, in the 1996 Olympic Natatorium in Atlanta.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

Renewable Energy Commercialization-Wind (Climate Plan Action 26)

Interest in wind power technology is high, but the current lack of a well-established infrastructure for manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines presents a great obstacle to commercialization. Representatives from interested parties in wind deployment--such as electric utilities, utility trade organizations, wind turbine equipment manufacturers, consumer groups, environmental groups, and state and federal regulators--joined with DOE to form a wind collaborative whose members selected the name National Wind Coordinating Committee (NCC). Its goal is to ensure the responsible use of wind energy in the United States--an increasingly important goal, as wind energy provides the environmental benefit of zero-emission electricity generation.

DOE's principal support includes: expansion of the existing Turbine Verification Program, cost-shared deployment of wind energy to enhance infrastructure development, assessment of wind resources, and avian wind research. The Wind Turbine Verification Program provides co-funding support to a consortium that evaluates prototype wind turbines in commercial utility settings (6 megawatts or larger). The commercialization initiative shares the cost of developing full-fledged wind power plants (25 megawatts or more). The Utility Resource Assessment Program promotes wind energy by assisting utilities in evaluating possible sites for wind deployment. Finally, the Avian Research Program implements a broad-based scientific program to assess the impacts of wind development on avian populations.

Achievements

• In December 1994, DOE (through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) issued a solicitation seeking cost-shared wind-farm projects. Eight proposals for more than 200 megawatts were received. In September, NREL announced its selection of three projects totaling 61 megawatts.
• To represent the interests of the nation's electric utilities and independent power producers in the NCC, the Utility Wind Interest Group was formally organized and incorporated.
• With the assistance of DOE cost-sharing, the Utility Wind Interest Group, Inc., selected six of nine possible proposals to collect and analyze wind data at multiple sites across the nation. Participating electric utilities are providing 65 percent of the funding. Two projects with 13-megawatt capacity are moving forward.
• DOE will provide technical assistance to construct wind turbine power plants in Minnesota and Iowa through NREL. Project planning advice and performance reports will be provided for the next five years.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

Integrated Resource Planning (Climate Plan Action 27)

Utility companies, the state regulators who oversee them, and legislators need new analytical and management tools to make sound decisions in an increasingly complex and competitive utility environment. The Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) program addressed this need.

This initiative began in 1994 by supporting research on policy and planning tools that support both supply and demand issues. The program expanded to include an increasing emphasis on outreach and education to put IRP tools in the hands of state and regional regulators, legislators, and utility managers. The IRP program served state utility commissions, state energy offices, independent power producers, and utilities. Key partnerships included the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), trade associations (including renewable-energy producer organizations), and energy-efficiency advocacy groups.

The IRP program consisted of the Education Voucher Program, which provides educational assistance for state regulators and their staff; the Electric Utility Restructuring Partnership, which provides information and analysis to states in formulating options for effective utility restructuring; DOE's IRP in Public Power Project, in conjunction with the American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which provides technical assistance to small public power utilities that wish to use IRP and demand-side management in their management operations; and support for state IRP initiatives through NARUC and NCSL.

Due to funding cuts, this program was terminated. The following achievements were realized before the program's termination.

Achievements

• Of the 335 applications for educational vouchers the program received during its operation, the program awarded more than 230 vouchers worth approximately $250,000. The vouchers were used for a variety of purposes, including conducting renewable-energy workshops and obtaining technical resources, such as software and technical reports to enhance IRP-related decision making. In most cases, these resources would not have been accessible to state agencies without the IRP-DSM voucher program.
• In its first two years before its termination and during the budget appropriations process, the program sponsored more than 30 seminars to provide state regulators with a fundamental knowledge of IRP.
• IRP's national Performance-Based Rate-Making design workshop attracted more than 100 participants.
• The program provided funding for more than 100 national studies of IRP and IRP-related issues that have been delivered to all states.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

Energy-Efficient Distribution Transformer Standards (Climate Plan Action 29)

U.S. electric utilities use an estimated 40 million distribution transformers. Although utility distribution transformers collectively have a high rate of efficiency, they account for approximately 61 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of the 229 billion kWh of energy lost annually in the delivery of electricity. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required DOE to determine if distribution transformer standards are warranted. This initiative was established to evaluate the feasibility of efficiency standards for electric distribution transformers, targeting single-phase distribution transformers up to 833 kilovolt ampere (kVa) and three-phase transformers up to 2,500 kVa.

To conduct this evaluation, DOE established partnerships with electric utility associations, distribution transformer manufacturers associations, and commercial and industrial facility owners/operators. DOE will assess whether distribution and efficiency standards are technologically feasible, economically justified, and result in significant energy savings. If the findings support formal development of efficiency standards, DOE will promulgate rulemakings for testing, standards, and labeling requirements.

Achievements

• In February 1995, DOE submitted a report to Congress on The Feasibility of Replacing or Upgrading Utility Distribution Transformers During Routine Maintenance.
• In July 1996, DOE published Determination Analysis of Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

ENERGY STAR^®Transformer Program (Climate Plan Action 30)

Approximately 40 million distribution transformers are in service on utility transmission lines. These transformers, which convert power from high voltages used in the transmission of electricity to lower voltages used in homes and businesses, lose approximately 61 billion kilowatt-hours of energy annually.

The ENERGY STAR^® Transformer Program seeks to reduce these losses by encouraging utilities to overcome barriers to purchasing cost-effective and energy-efficient transformers and by encouraging manufacturers to produce high-efficiency transformers using available technologies. In addition, EPA is working with industry members to develop technical tools to analyze highly complex transformer use and sizing decisions. Finally, EPA will encourage utilities and regulatory commissions to reduce any regulatory barriers that prevent the implementation of cost-effective, supply-side efficiency investments, such as efficient transformers.

The ENERGY STAR Transformer Program was launched successfully in April 1995, with over 85 percent of transformer manufacturers already participating. The program is on target to achieve its CCAP goal for saving over 2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in the year 2000. The program has developed new marketing strategies that demonstrate the benefits of high-efficiency transformers in a competitive electric industry. In addition, the program has released several technical tools and reports that are focusing attention on distribution efficiency and assisting with efficient transformer selection.

Achievements

• The program currently has 41 Utility Partners who purchase approximately 10 percent of the distribution transformers sold annually to utilities.
• The program currently has 9 Manufacturing Partners representing more than 85 percent of the distribution transformer manufacturing market.

Contact: Pete South, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9482.

---

Green Power Network (New Climate Plan Action)

DOE has developed an Internet-based information network known as the Green Power Network. Accessible through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy home page, the network provides and exchanges information on successful green power programs and provides network links to utilities, power marketers, public entities, and consumer and environmental organizations that have already developed or are interested in developing green power programs. The provision of this information and the information links will help encourage electricity suppliers and customers to form green power supply and buyer groups.

The electric power industry is undergoing unprecedented change, with the regulated monopoly structure of the industry becoming increasingly subject to competition. Wholesale competition has resulted in a price-dominated market in which renewables, which generally have high front-end cost structures, are being disadvantaged.

At the same time, retail competition should lead to a greater number of service options for electricity customers, some of which will include renewable energy. Since utility customers and public opinion surveys have identified strong public support for the development of clean energy sources, the ability of customers to express a market preference for renewable-energy sources can be a key driving force in moving greater amounts of renewables into the market. Already, several utilities have developed customer-oriented "green pricing" programs, and a handful of municipalities have taken action to acquire renewables-based power to serve their loads.

These "green marketing" approaches employ market-based mechanisms to promote greater adoption of renewables and are entirely compatible with ongoing attempts to introduce greater competition into the generation and delivery of electricity. However, only a handful of power providers and customers have attempted to tap into this market. There is a need to more broadly disseminate information and experiences with green power programs, so that other organizations and market entities can apply this information to design and implement successful green power programs.

The Green Power Network is a site dedicated to providing information and points of contacts on green power programs and activities. DOE has worked with electricity-sector organizations in the development of the web site, and is linking to other green power-oriented businesses and organizations. This web site can be accessed at http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower. To qualify for a link to the web site, businesses and organizations should have an existing green power program underway.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

Natural Gas STAR (Climate Plan Action 32)

Through the Natural Gas STAR program, EPA encourages natural gas companies to adopt cost-effective technologies and practices that reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In March 1995, the program was expanded from the transmission and distribution sectors to include the production sector. In addition to providing implementation support, EPA provides partners with public recognition and works to remove unjustified regulatory barriers. Companies submit an implementation plan to EPA after becoming a partner and implement the plan over the next three years.

By working with the natural gas industry, Natural Gas STAR has identified nine cost-effective, methane-reducing best management practices (BMPs). EPA has developed a series of tools to help partners implement these BMPs, including an implementation guide measurement program and a series of "lessons learned" studies that communicate superior implementation of BMPs by program partners.

Achievements

• In 1996, the Natural Gas STAR program reduced methane leakage from natural gas pipelines by over one million metric tons of carbon-equivalent emissions.
• The expanded program includes 65 corporate partners representing:
  - 65 percent of transmission company pipeline miles,
  - 32 percent of distribution company pipeline miles, and
  - 33 percent of U.S. natural gas production.
• The American Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the Interstate Natural Gas Association, the International Centre for Gas Technology Information, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Natural Gas Supply Association, and the Southern Gas Association have endorsed the Natural Gas STAR program.
• In addition, the Gas Research Institute endorsed the program in April 1994, pledging $4 million of its annual budget to projects that reduce methane emissions.

Contact: Rhone Resch, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9793.

---

Landfill Rule and Landfill Methane Outreach Program (Climate Plan Actions 33 and 34)

Landfills are the largest source of U.S. anthropogenic methane emissions. Because methane is a fuel, landfills also represent a tremendous energy resource. Through the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), launched in December 1994, EPA is encouraging landfills across the nation to capture and use their landfill gas emissions. This voluntary effort works hand-in-hand with EPA's landfill New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines (also known as the "Landfill Rule") to promote cost-effective reductions in methane emissions. Promulgated in March 1996, the Landfill Rule requires large landfills to capture and combust their landfill gas emissions. By providing potential project partners reliable technical and economic information on the opportunities to use landfill gas as a fuel, creating innovative financing opportunities, and demonstrating the many benefits of converting landfill gas to energy, the LMOP is helping landfills affected by the Landfill Rule to achieve the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.

EPA works with state energy and environmental agencies, landfill owners, utilities, trade associations, and industry to lower the barriers to landfill gas-to-energy project development. The LMOP disseminates reliable information, identifies project opportunities, and creates momentum for increasing the economically and environmentally beneficial use of landfill gas.

Together the LMOP and the Landfill Rule are expected to achieve reductions of over 35 MMTCE in the year 2000.

Achievements

• Allies include 18 state agencies in 13 states, 15 utilities, and more than 70 industry representatives, including project developers, equipment suppliers, financiers, and landfill gas end users.
• 6 State Ally workshops have been held, and several more are scheduled.
• A wide range of focused products have been developed and distributed, including:
  - a project development handbook;
  - profiles of landfills that are good candidates for energy recovery in 20 states;
  - primers outlining key state regulatory and incentive information for 3 states;
  - software to evaluate the most attractive project options for specific landfills, including estimation of costs and benefits; and
  - fact sheets and issue papers providing guidance on critical issues.
• Provided Landfill Rule guidance and workshops for state agencies and affected landfills.
• Catalyzed development of at least 24 new landfill gas-to-energy projects.

Contact: Tom Kerr, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9768.

---

Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (Climate Plan Action 35)

In 1990, methane emissions associated with coal mining operations accounted for approximately 18 percent of human-related U.S. methane emissions. Launched in spring 1994, the Coalbed Methane Outreach Program is reducing these emissions by (1) working with the coal industry and other stakeholders to identify and remove obstacles to increased investment in coalbed methane recovery projects, and (2) raising awareness of opportunities for profitable investments.

Currently, at least 13 U.S. mines are recovering and using methane. Under this program and as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, an additional 47.8 trillion Btus of methane energy are expected to be recovered annually, representing approximately 25 new or expanded projects by 2000.

Coal mine methane projects must meet site-specific technical and market conditions to be profitable. Many general market barriers and opportunities can either hinder or encourage projects. The program works on a mine-by-mine basis to identify and overcome the specific technical, legal, market, and financial barriers to project implementation. Program staff works directly with the coal mine staff to prepare technical, financial, and market analyses that identify profitable project opportunities. The program also works with developers, state and local governments, and potential gas markets to identify and overcome the various generalized technical, market, financial, and legal barriers.

Achievements

• During 1995 and 1996, at least seven new or expanded-use projects were initiated at coal mines. These projects included introducing coalbed methane into the nation's natural gas pipeline supply, generating power from abandoned mine gas, and using methane to replace coal as a fuel source for drying at a coal mine preparation plant. In 1996, a contract was signed to upgrade lower-quality mine gas from two active mines and two abandoned mines for pipeline injection--the first project of its kind.
• EPA worked with operators of several mines to develop detailed technology and financial assessments of the profitable opportunities for coal mine methane projects. These assessments are catalyzing project developments.
• EPA developed guides for state, local, and federal assistance programs that pinpoint sources of loans, grants, and technical assistance for profitable coal mine methane projects. In addition, EPA prepared a comprehensive guide for private-sector financing of coal mine methane projects.
• EPA evaluated and reported on technological options for enhanced coalbed methane recovery, use, and markets that have lowered the informational barriers to profit-making coalbed methane projects.
• In 1996 and 1997 EPA hosted two national conferences that focused on key financial and policy issues related to coalbed methane project development.

Contact: Karl Schultz, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9468.

---

Methane Recovery Systems--Coal Mining (Climate Plan Action 36)

DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and EPA (Climate Plan Action 35) have jointly supported outreach, cost-shared demonstrations, and market-entry projects to investigate and apply technologies for capturing and using methane emitted during coal mining. Methane is highly explosive and, when emitted into the mine workings during coal mining operations, can be a serious safety hazard. Within DOE the Office of Fossil Energy is primarily responsible for the methane recovery program. Management of the program is coordinated with EPA; the National Mining Association; fuel cell, gas turbine, and internal combustion engine manufacturers; private industry; utilities; and others.

The program has supported partnership teams, led by the coal industry, that are developing the application of evolving and existing technologies for recovery and use of coal mine methane gas. The program has three operational phases: Phase I--feasibility study of the proposed program and solicitation of cost-shared demonstrations, Phase II--detailed design of the proposed demonstrations, and Phase III--implementation of pilot demonstrations.

The program involves partners in planning, implementation, and financing. Coal mining and natural gas production industries are included as potential partners for gas recovery and sales. Natural gas transmission, electrical power, and coal mining companies are the potential users of the recovered gas. Power-generation equipment vendors may join in partnerships to provide the hardware for recovery and use. Local communities may also be partners for providing local fuel or power in the community or for industrial/energy parks.

Achievements

• Five Phase II coal mine methane projects with multiple partners are currently completing detailed designs for field recovery and use demonstration efforts in 1998. Project partners include a coal operator, a utility, an engineering firm, and an engine manufacturer.
• Two of the project efforts have partly completed the design of the field demonstrations and are beginning to recover initial quantities of coal mine methane.
  - One of these projects involves DOE, Northwest Fuel Development, an active coal mine and an electric utility in Harrison County, Ohio. The present installed capacity of this facility is 500 kilowatts, or about one-quarter of the coal mine's total power consumption. The existing generators are driven by automobile-derivative internal combustion (IC) engines. Design work is currently underway in cooperation with Energy Research Corporation to develop a demonstration unit with a capacity of 300 kilowatts. It is anticipated that the use of the fuel cell will allow for more flexible operation of the IC engines.
  - The second project intends to use methane contained in the mine ventilation exhaust and gas from gob wells drilled into the strata just above the longwall mining face. The total methane emissions from the Emerald mine (Greene Co., Pa.) are capable of generating 50 or more megawatts. The specific hardware for the prototype is being determined, and a test plan is being developed for operation.

Contact: DOE, Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-4756; or DOE Federal Energy Technology Center, 304-285-4547.

---

Methane Recovery Systems-Landfills (Climate Plan Action 37)

Municipal landfills are the single largest source of methane emissions nationwide, generating over one-third of the nation's methane greenhouse gas. DOE, through its methane capture research, development, and demonstration activities, and EPA, through its public outreach (Climate Plan Action 34), have worked jointly to maximize methane gas use and recovery from landfills.

The Solid Waste Management Association of North America (SWANA) has been a key partner with DOE in the design and delivery of this initiative. SWANA is the largest professional organization representing landfill gas recovery. The group has been conducting meetings and symposia on landfill gas recovery since the late 1970s.

Due to funding cuts, DOE's participation in this program was terminated. The following achievements were realized before the program's termination.

Achievements

• A workshop was held to identify technical barriers to the recovery and use of landfill-generated methane gas, resulting in an information base for planned activities.
• Two projects--the study and verification of landfill gas prediction models and the development of "manuals of practice" for gas recovery--were initiated as a result of the workshop.
• A Notice of Intent was published in 1994 in the Commerce Business Daily to determine the level of interest of industry and stakeholders in cost-shared projects for landfill gas recovery and use. Thirty-one responses were received, indicating strong support from private-sector landfill operators.

An increased knowledge base will result from the two study initiatives and from the relationships that have been established with the professional community through collaboration with SWANA. The verified model for the prediction of methane gas levels at landfill sites will provide better information to landfill operators trying to estimate the amount of gas they can expect to recover over time.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

AgSTAR Program (Climate Plan Action 38)

Launched at the White House Conference on Climate Change in the spring of 1994, this cooperative effort of EPA, USDA, and DOE is a voluntary pollution-prevention program with the livestock industry. EPA and USDA work with livestock producers to capture the methane released from manure management systems. The captured methane is an on-farm energy resource that can offset energy costs and increase bottom-line profits. Using methane-recovery systems, it is technologically feasible to reduce total U.S. methane emissions from livestock manure by 50 percent. Collateral benefits include reducing surface- and ground-water pollution, managing odors, and reducing fertilizer costs.

To join AgSTAR, livestock producers sign a memorandum of understanding and agree to survey their facilities to determine if a methane-recovery system would be profitable for their farm(s). If it is projected to be profitable, the producer agrees to install a methane-recovery system within three years.

To date, project installations have been slower than expected, due to delays in initiating model farms and utility industry restructuring. Installations are increasing, however, due to industry emphasis on odor control and other factors.

Achievements

• AgSTAR has more than 40 partners, representing more than 400 farms. The program also has 50 Allies, representing system and equipment manufacturers, educational institutions, state and local governments, and others.
• EPA has issued the AgSTAR Handbook, a comprehensive methane-recovery handbook and reference guide organized for specific livestock-rearing methods and manure management strategies.
• EPA has released FarmWare version 1.0, the AgSTAR decision-support software, which allows U.S. dairy and pork producers to conduct comparative technical and economic assessments of their facilities.
• EPA has initiated projects at model farm sites in key methane areas across the country. These model farms are demonstrating the successes of today's methane-recovery technology and the potential to recover methane at a profit. These farms also serve as educational facilities for Partners, Allies, and others interested in considering methane-recovery systems.
• USDA and EPA have jointly developed three interim standards related to biogas generation, capture, and utilization--Covered Anaerobic Lagoon, Plug Flow Digester, and Complete Mix Digester--which allow AgSTAR partners to participate in cost-share programs, such as EQP.
• USDA and EPA have jointly funded an engineering position, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, to serve as a regional specialist in environmental engineering and biogas recovery.

Contacts: Kurt Roos, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9041; Barry Kintzer, USDA-NRCS, Conservation Engineering Division, 202-720-4485.

---

Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program (Climate Plan Action 39)

This collaborative effort between USDA and EPA aims to reduce methane emissions resulting from the dairy and beef industries, which are responsible for more than 30 MMTCE of methane emissions annually. Methane is produced as part of a ruminant animal's normal digestive process, known as "enteric fermentation." Because the methane produced is actually wasted carbon from the feed, the amount of methane relative to the amount of beef or milk produced is a reliable indicator of inefficiency of animal production.

This program encourages livestock producers to improve the efficiency of their animals and reduce methane emissions by improving grazing management, providing strategic feed supplementation, improving feed efficiency through the use of production-enhancing agents, improving genetic characteristics, improving reproduction, and controlling diseases. The program also builds on existing efforts to remove market barriers and to create incentives for increased production of lower-fat milk and meat products. Because fat production is energy-intensive, producing lower-fat products requires less feed per unit of product and results in less methane production.

Achievements

• In Utah and Washington State, regional projects were launched to study how improved livestock management practices reduce methane emissions from cattle. The information gathered by the collaborating universities is being transferred to livestock producers through local extension services.
• The Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program has enabled USDA's National Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) to expand upon its education and technical assistance activities in 10 states helping livestock producers improve grazing management and livestock production. Efforts include workshops, field tours, video programs, and distribution of published material.
• In collaboration with universities in Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana, a regional project has been launched for the southeastern United States, which focuses on improving efficiency of production on cow/calf operations. Plans were developed to study improved practices, mainly in the areas of grazing and forage management, and the effect they have on methane emissions and productivity. NRCS will use the information in technology-transfer programs. As part of this effort, "model farms" are being established in 10 states and Puerto Rico to demonstrate to producers that improved practices can be profitable and good for the environment.

Contacts: Mark Orlic, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9043; Steve Carmichael, USDA-NRCS/EPA Liaison, 404-562-9374.

---

Significant New Alternatives Program (Climate Plan Action 40)

Perfluorocompounds (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are among the most potent greenhouse gases. In addition to being characterized by high global warming potentials (GWPs), most PFCs and HFCs have extremely long atmospheric lifetimes, which means even small emissions will contribute to the cumulative atmospheric burden and will persist for up to thousands of years.

Emissions of PFCs and HFCs in this initiative fall into two categories: release from use as alternatives for ozone-depleting substances, and discharge from industrial processes. This action intends to reduce emissions of high-GWP gases by a regulatory pathway to restrict the use and emission of chemicals under the Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP), authorized under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act.

Section 612 permits the control of uses for high-GWP gases if other alternatives to ozone-depleting substances exist and pose less risk to human health and the environment. Regulatory actions are also developed as part of the SNAP, and environmental stewardship activities have been designed to control industrial releases.

Achievements

• SNAP has promulgated four rules listing acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. Through these rules, EPA has restricted the use of substances by listing chemicals subject to Narrowed Use Limits. SNAP also has banned the use of some substances because of their high GWP properties (e.g., SF₆ is an unacceptable substitute for aerosol propellants due to its very high GWP and the existence of other compressed gases that perform equally well).

Contact: Reynaldo Forte, EPA, Stratospheric Protection Division, 202-233-9134.

---

Expansion to CCAP Action 40: Environmental Stewardship Initiative (New Climate Plan Action)

This action expands ongoing work begun as part of the environmental stewardship activities under Action 40 of the Climate Change Action Plan. Environmental stewardship activities have been designed to control industrial emissions of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Among the most potent greenhouse gases, most PFCs and HFCs are characterized by high global warming potentials (GWPs) and extremely long atmospheric lifetimes. A high GWP implies that discrete emission of the gas can be up to several thousand times more potent than an equivalent quantity of carbon dioxide. Further, long atmospheric lifetimes for the gases mean that even small emissions will contribute to the cumulative atmospheric burden and persist for up to thousands of years.

PFCs and HFCs are intentionally used in the following three industries: (1) semiconductor production (SF₆, CF₄, C₂F₆, C₃F₈, NF₃, and CHF₃); (2) electrical power systems (SF₆); and (3) magnesium casting (SF₆). Use and emissions of PFCs by the semiconductor industry is expected to increase by 2000 due to growing use in production and demand for the microchip. The most potent greenhouse gas is SF₆, with a GWP of 23,900 and an atmospheric lifetime of 3,200 years. It is used by all three industries. Atmospheric concentrations of SF₆ are increasing at an estimated annual rate of 7-8 percent. Production rates for some of the PFCs are expected to grow.

Most emission reductions for these industries are believed to be possible through environmentally protective and cost-effective means. In all cases, the principles of pollution prevention are under consideration for reducing emissions. EPA has initiated a cooperative reduction effort with the semiconductor industry and has begun discussions with the electrical and magnesium industries.

The semiconductor industry, through efforts of the Semiconductor Industry Association and its member companies, has worked with EPA to develop an agreement to endeavor to reduce emissions of PFCs. Eighteen individual companies have signed the memorandum of understanding with EPA, which has already received preliminary reports of successful attempts to reduce emissions. In the meantime, the electrical and magnesium industries have both expressed a desire to discuss voluntary reduction programs with EPA.

Contact: Elizabeth Dutrow, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9061.

---

Partnership With HCFC-22 Manufacturers to Eliminate HFC-23 Emissions (Climate Plan Action 41)

Chemical production of HCFC-22 results in the creation of HFC-23 (trifluoromethane) as a by-product. Vented to the atmosphere for the most part, HFC-23 is a very potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential of 11,700 and an atmospheric lifetime of 250 years.

This action is a voluntary environmental stewardship program designed to reduce releases of HFC-23. The U.S. producers of HCFC-22 have committed to EPA to reduce emissions of HFC-23 in the year 2000 by 5 MMTCE. Reduction opportunities will vary from company to company, but will most likely include process optimization, conversion to benign chemistries, and destruction.

Achievements

• HCFC-22 producers have completed an assessment of their 1990 HFC-23 emissions, and are continuing to report annual emissions.
• HCFC-22 producers are currently determining and implementing the most cost-effective practices for reducing HFC-23 emissions.
• In 1997, EPA and the producers coordinated to develop a set of performance-based emission measurement standards. The standards establish acceptable limits for air emissions data.

Contact: Elizabeth Dutrow, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9061.

---

Aluminum Producer Partnership (Climate Plan Action 42)

Carbon tetrafluoride (CF₄) and carbon hexafluoride (C₂F₆) are emitted as by-products of the primary aluminum production process. Both of these perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potentials of approximately 6,500 and 9,200 times that of CO₂, respectively, and lifetimes that exceed 10,000 years. Through the Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership (VAIP), EPA is partnering with primary aluminum producers to reduce PFCs emissions where technically feasible and cost-effective.

PFCs are generated during anode effects, which are temporary electrochemical disruptions in the production process. When they occur, energy that would otherwise be used to make aluminum is wasted. Under VAIP, partners work toward minimizing the number and duration of anode effects without sacrificing competitiveness. Many companies have already reduced their PFC emissions substantially through relatively minor technological and operational changes, such as the use of computer monitoring, changes in raw materials feeding techniques, and employee training. EPA estimates that such changes can help to reduce PFC emissions by 30-60 percent industry-wide.

Achievements

• As of December 1995, 12 companies representing 94 percent of the U.S. primary aluminum production capacity had joined VAIP.
• VAIP has developed CF₄ and C₂F₆ gas standards (through the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and has improved the fundamental understanding of these emissions (through research conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
• EPA has conducted measurements of CF₄ and C₂F₆ at seven smelters in conjunction with primary aluminum companies.
• In 1996, EPA co-hosted an international conference on PFC emissions from aluminum smelting attended by representatives of more than 10 countries.

Contact: Eric Dolin, EPA, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, 202-233-9044.

---

Accelerate Tree Planting in Nonindustrial Private Forests (Climate Plan Action 44)

Through the Forest Stewardship Incentive Program, USDA's Forest Service and State Forestry agencies are providing technical assistance and up to 75 percent federal cost-sharing for the planting of additional trees on nonindustrial private lands. This program increases the uptake of carbon dioxide and storage of carbon in trees, forest soils, forest litter, and in understory plants. The goal of the program is to increase tree planting in the United States by 233,000 acres a year (10 percent) within five years and to maintain this expanded level of planting for an additional five years.

Achievements

• The USDA Forest Service has planted 135,000 acres of trees through fiscal year 1996 under the Stewardship Incentive Program.

Contact: Robert J. Moulton, USDA Forest Service, 919-549-4032.

---

Climate Challenge

The Climate Challenge program is a joint, voluntary effort of DOE and the electric utility industry to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gases. Utilities identify and implement cost-effective activities that are specified in agreements between DOE and individual electric utilities. Each utility reports its results annually, consistent with the guidelines for voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas emissions developed under Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Actions that utilities have committed to in their agreements include: efficiency improvements in end use, distribution, transmission, and generation; increased use of energy-efficient electrotechnologies; fuel switching to lower-carbon fuels and renewables; transportation actions; forestry actions; recovery of methane from landfills and coal seams; and the use of fly ash as a Portland cement substitute. A significant effect of the Climate Challenge program is the shift in thinking of electric utility management and strategic planners to include the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions into their corporate culture and philosophy.

Achievements

• The utility industry developed nine Climate Challenge initiatives, including: the EnviroTech Charter, with over $50 million committed to accelerate commercialization of renewable-energy technology and energy-efficient electrotechnologies; the Earth Comfort Program, to increase annual sales of energy-efficient geothermal heat pumps from 40,000 to 400,000; the Utility Forest Carbon Management Program, with over $2 million committed to funding several domestic and international projects; through the nonprofit UtiliTre Carbon Company the International Utility Efficiency Partnerships, which is currently evaluating projects in 18 countries; and the Combined Purchasing Initiative, to aggregate utility purchasing power to create a market for technologies, such as high-efficiency transformers and photovoltaics. Other initiatives include: EV America (electric vehicles), Electric End Use Efficiency Technology Initiative, Tree Power, and International Donated Equipment Initiative.
• Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation exchanged 1.75 million tons of CO₂ reductions for Arizona Public Service Company's 25,000 tons of sulfur dioxide allowances. Niagara Mohawk donated the allowances to a nonprofit environmental group to be retired.
• As of April 1997, 119 Participation Agreements were signed. The agreements represent 638 of the over 800 utilities that have expressed interest in the program, and 69 percent of 1990 electric generation and utility carbon emissions. These utilities' commitments are expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 44 MMTCE in the year 2000.

Contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Customer Service Center, 1-800-363-3732 (Domestic) or 703-287-8391 (International).

---

Climate Wise
Turning Industrial Energy Efficiency and Environmental Performance into a Corporate Asset

Climate Wise is helping companies realize significant environmental and economic benefits through cost-effective industrial energy-efficiency and pollution-prevention actions. The program provides technical assistance and public recognition that result in the development and implementation of comprehensive emission-reduction action plans that achieve real results. Climate Wise's common-sense approach to pollution prevention allows companies tailor their action plans to meet the needs and opportunities of their operations.

Boiler efficiency, steam system optimization and maintenance, fuel switching and cogeneration, industrial process improvements, and air compressor system efficiency are just a few of the unique industrial actions Climate Wise companies are taking. Climate Wise partners are also encouraged to participate in other Climate Change Action Plan programs, such as DOE's Motor Challenge and EPA's Green Lights^® programs, to ensure their plans are comprehensive.

The industrial sector accounts for about 30 percent of U.S. energy consumption and represents a broad array of emission-reduction opportunities. Climate Wise targets this important sector, requiring each Climate Wise company to develop a comprehensive action plan within six months of joining the program and report the results of its actions annually through the Section 1605(b) Voluntary Reporting System.

Achievements

• In 1996, after the program's first full year of recruitment efforts, the number of Climate Wise companies grew by more than 700 percent. Partners now number more than 250 and represent more than 7 percent of U.S. industrial energy use.
• Climate Wise partners have already committed to undertake nearly 350 pollution-prevention and energy-saving actions. In 1996, companies documented savings of more than $30 million annually. Many of the partners who joined the program in 1996 will be submitting their action plans in 1997. By the year 2000, the program expects to foster emission reductions of more than 3 million metric tons of carbon and fuel cost savings of nearly $675 million.
• The State and Local Government Allies program collectively recruited more than 100 partners in 1996. This initiative, involving ten states and six local governments in 1996, has brought the federal, state, and local governments together to deliver better services to participating companies. In addition to the tremendous outreach capability, State and Local Government Allies are creating innovative services, such as regulatory incentives and low-interest loans, to help companies achieve meaningful results.

Contacts: Amy Manheim, DOE, Office of Industrial Technologies, 202-586-1507; Pam Herman Milmoe, EPA, Office of Policy Planning and Evaluation, 202-260-4407; Climate Wise Line, 1-800-459-WISE or (703) 934-3830.

---

State and Local Climate Change Outreach Program

The Climate Change Outreach Program builds capacity to successfully reduce greenhouse gases at the state and local levels by providing needed information, tools, and infrastructure to state and local authorities. The program can be compared to a venture capital group that seeks out good investments. It helps decision makers identify and understand the impacts of climate change (e.g., public health, air quality, water resources) as well as assess and implement policies that result in the mitigation of the risks associated with climate change. Partners have a product--an action plan--that clearly shows the potential for greenhouse gas savings. Collectively, the program allows EPA to examine the opportunities for partners and extrapolate potential nationwide savings. In addition, the program has emphasized the development and analysis of innovative and integrated actions that solve multiple environmental and economic problems.

Recent changes in the program focus on outreach and communication activities to:

• Motivate officials to take action.
• Identify opportunities to contribute to the international process led by the federal government.
• Analyze the economic and environmental impacts of domestic greenhouse gas policy at the regional, state, and local levels.

Achievements

• Thirty states have completed or nearly completed state greenhouse gas inventories, enabling them to identify where their emissions are growing fastest.
• Nine states have completed and 11 others have nearly completed action plans, which have enabled them to identify numerous cost-effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Thirteen partners have completed demonstration greenhouse gas reduction projects or impact studies.
• State partners from Oregon and Utah are lending technical expertise to the U.S. Country Studies SNAP Program as Project Officers and Technical Experts.
• Forty-one U.S. cities are participating in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Five participating cities have committed to a 20 percent emissions target and timetable, and the remaining cities are preparing local action plans. Over half of the cities are starting to implement programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Environmental Council of the States is engaging state environmental commissioners on climate change issues through education about the impacts of climate change on their states and the effect of changes in domestic policy that may result from the international climate negotiations.
• State- and local-targeted information is being disseminated to partners through electronic mailings, EPA's web site on global warming, workshops, and publications.

Contact: EPA, Office of Economy and Environment, 202-260-4314.

---

U.S. Country Studies Program

A joint initiative of 10 U.S. government agencies, the U.S. Country Studies Program is assisting 55 developing countries and countries with economies in transition with climate change studies designed to build human and institutional capacity to address climate change. The program is also assisting 18 of these countries in using their study results to prepare national climate change action plans that will lay the foundation for their national communications required under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The primary objectives of the U.S. CSP are:

• To enhance the abilities of countries and regions to inventory their greenhouse gas emissions, assess their vulnerabilities to climate change, and evaluate strategies for mitigating emissions and adapting to the potential impacts of climate change.
• To enable countries to establish a process for developing and implementing policies and measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and for reexamining these policies and measures periodically.
• To develop information that can be used to further regional, national, and international discussions of climate change issues and increase support for the FCCC.

Achievements

• Initiated a two rounds of support for national action plans to 18 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakstan, Mexico, Micronesia, Philippines, Russian Federation, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela).
• Published several handbooks on methodologies, and three synthesis reports (emission inventories, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and country strategies) to document the results of the studies.
• Sponsored or co-sponsored more than 30 technical workshops to share methods, results, and country strategies.
• Published handbooks and held training workshops on preparation of plans and technology assessments, and trained over 2,000 analysts in 70 countries.
• Sponsored more than 200 publications or data bases by the 55 countries.
• Developed handbooks and synthesis reports that have made important contributions to the work of the Global Environment Facility, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the Subsidiary Bodies to the Climate Convention, as well as other international organizations.
• Helped 55 countries complete preliminary emission inventories, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and mitigation assessments.
• Continues to complement programs implemented by other donors (e.g., the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Environment Program, the Global Environment Facility, and individual member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

Contact: Director, U.S. Country Studies Program, PO-6, 1000 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, 202-586-3288; Internet site at http://www.gcrio.org/csp/webpage.html.

---

The U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation

The U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation (USIJI) is a pilot program encouraging U.S. organizations to implement projects internationally that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gases. Since its launch in 1993, USIJI has become the largest effort worldwide to explore options for countries to jointly reduce greenhouse gases. Its international outreach activities and workshops (attended by several hundred potential participants from approximately 50 countries) have positively influenced international understanding of joint implementation and its broad acceptance by Parties to the U.N Framework Convention on Climate Change. Other countries, including Canada and Japan, have announced pilot efforts similar to USIJI. The goals of the USIJI program are to:

• Promote technology cooperation with and sustainable development in developing and transition countries.
• Test and evaluate methods to measure, track, and verify emission reduction costs and benefits.
• Encourage private-sector investment and innovation in developing and disseminating technologies to reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions.
• Establish an empirical base for the formulation of international criteria for joint implementation.

Achievements

• As of December, 1996, USIJI had received 61 proposals from 26 countries for projects that were designed to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gases, using a diverse set of technologies, including renewable, fuel-switching, energy-efficiency, methane-recovery, and sustainable land-use practices. Of these, the Evaluation Panel has approved 23 projects representing innovative technologies and practices in nine countries.
• The USIJI Secretariat streamlined the project review and acceptance procedures and has published draft guidelines for preparing USIJI proposals.
• The USIJI Secretariat prepared a very detailed report to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC, which set a high standard for Annex I and non-Annex I parties under the AIJ pilot phase.
• The USIJI Secretariat established a technical assistance program to provide assistance to project participants in the areas of obtaining financing, developing monitoring and verification plans, and screening new projects for compatibility with project criteria.

Contacts: Director, USIJI Secretariat, PO-6, 1000 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, 202-586-3288; Information Line: 202-586-3467; Fax-on-Demand: 202-260-8677; Internet web site: http://www.ji.org ~~