Climate Change > Reducing GHG Emissions > 2009 Executive Order > 2020 Collaboration

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2020 Collaboration

Overview

RCW 70.235.020 requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. To reach these levels, emissions must be reduced in all sectors of Washington’s economy.

Executive Order 09-05, Washington’s Leadership on Climate Change, directs the Department of Ecology to:

• Provide each facility we believe produces 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) a year with our best estimate of that facility’s baseline GHG emissions.
• Provide each facility with their proportionate share of GHG emission reduction necessary to achieve the needed reductions.
• Work with each facility or sector to develop strategies to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

In response to the directive Ecology has been working with the large manufacturing facilities, electric utilities, and natural gas providers in Washington to understand their greenhouse gas emissions and overall strategies to reduce emissions. The following questions and answers identify the facilities, methodologies and tools used by Ecology to estimate emissions, calculate proportionate shares and identify actions and strategies.

Questions and Answers:

• Which facilities does Ecology believe emit over 25,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent?
• How did Ecology develop the current emissions estimates?
• How did Ecology determine “proportionate share”?
• How is Ecology including emissions from electricity and natural gas utilities into this project?
• How will Ecology identify strategies and actions to reduce emissions in this project?
• What will Ecology do with the emission reduction options developed as part of this project?

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Q: Which facilities does Ecology believe emit over 25,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent?

A: Ecology believes these facilities emit at least 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. (updated 08/11/09)

However, it is possible that there are additional facilities that Ecology is currently unaware of that meet or exceed this threshold. We will have more accurate information once facilities begin reporting their greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2010.

Q. How did Ecology develop the current emissions estimates?

A. To calculate facility-level emissions, Ecology used fuel-use data voluntarily reported to us and the local clean air agencies, and publicly available information from EPA and the Department of Energy. We multiplied fuel-use data by fuel-specific emissions factors from EPA to estimate total GHG emissions. Our emissions estimates do not include CO2 from biomass combustion. We used 2007 as the base year in most cases. For sources such as oil refineries, steel manufacturers, and aluminum smelters we also estimated non-combustion emissions from industrial processes.

The June 30 letter sent to facilities presented Ecology’s preliminary emissions estimates. Until mandatory GHG emission reporting begins in 2010, Ecology will not have access to more specific emissions data. We invite facilities to work with us to refine our current emissions estimates.

Q. How will Ecology determine “proportionate share”?

A. To arrive at each facility’s proportionate share of emissions reductions we used a method recommended by a participating facility. First, we calculated the percent of reductions necessary to reduce 2007 statewide emissions to 1990 levels, which we determined is nine percent (2007 is the year that most facility’s are using as their “current” emissions). We then multiplied each facility’s “current” emissions estimate by nine percent to arrive at its proportionate share.

Q. How is Ecology including emissions from electricity and natural gas utilities into this project?

A. Ecology is directed to work with facilities that are responsible for emissions greater than 25,000 metric tons CO2e per year. We believe this includes the emissions associated with a utility’s delivered electricity load and natural gas. In order to determine which utilities are responsible for emissions over 25,000 metric tons we included electricity sector emissions from owned resources and long-term delivery contracts, not electricity delivered under BPA contracts or purchased on the spot market. Ecology is currently working with these utilities to understand how they could reach their proportionate share of emissions reductions using the actions laid out in their Integrated Resource Plans and mandated by Initiative 937. For natural gas providers, we analyzed annual natural gas sales data to estimate GHG emissions associated with natural gas consumption.

Q. How will Ecology identify strategies and actions to reduce emissions in this project?

A. Ecology is working with Washington State University (WSU) Energy Extension Program to identify resources and best practices for reducing emissions at industrial facilities. We also plan to distribute a survey to all facilities participating in this project in May 2010. The survey will continue the conversation with utilities and industrial facilities on how they can reduce emissions.

Q. What will Ecology do with the emission reduction options developed as part of this project?

A. The emissions reduction options will be part of a comprehensive approach to identifying actions to reduce GHG emissions to the statutory levels. By November 15, 2010, Ecology will deliver to the Governor a comprehensive plan outlining reduction strategies and actions, including those developed by this project, to achieve the state’s 2020 statutory reduction limit.

Contacts

Hedia Adelsman, (360) 407-6222