National Capital Region Climate Change Report

OVERVIEW

Joan Rohlfs, Chief, Air Quality PlanningMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments

October 20, 2009

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

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COG Board Action April 11, 2007

Through R31-07, COG Board created Climate Change Steering Committee to:

Prepare regional inventory of greenhouse gases

Identify best practices and policies

Examine climate change impacts

Recommend regional greenhouse gas reduction goal(s)

Recommend committee structure for climate change initiative

Propose advocacy positions

Prepare recommendations report to COG Board

COG Climate Change Initiative

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Climate Change Steering Committee

18 Committee members– Primarily elected officials from the District of

Columbia, Maryland and Virginia local governments

– State environmental representatives from Maryland, Virginia and DC

– Regional transit agency (METRO), Greater Washington Board of Trade

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Greenhouse gas emissions inventory 2005-2050Best Practices ReportEmission reduction goals for 2012, 2020, 2050Federal/state advocacy Draft Report July 9, 2008Outreach/Listening meetings July 9 – Sept. 30Final Report Adopted November 12, 2008Now implementing report recommendations

Major AccomplishmentsMajor Accomplishments

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• Over 2/3 of local governments in the region purchase renewable energy

• Over 1⁄2 of the jurisdictions have adopted energy efficiency measures

• Nearly 90% of the communities in the region have embarked on transit oriented development and over 80% have “walkable community” initiatives

• About 70% of communities have green space protection and green infrastructure programs

• All communities in the region have recycling programs.

Download at: http://www.mwcog.org/

Best Practices Guide

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I. Getting Smart on Climate ChangeClimate Change, Potential Impacts on Region;Current & Projected Regional Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory; Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

II. Taking ActionEnergy Consumption; Transportation and Land Use; Economic Development; Preparing for Impacts, Financing; Outreach and Education.

III. Moving ForwardCOG Climate Change Program

IV. Reference Information

COG Climate Change Report

Download at: http://www.mwcog.org/

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Average annual temperature in the Metropolitan Washington Region

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Measured Temperature Changes in Chesapeake Bay Surface Waters

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Total – 74 million metric tonnes in 2005Source: MWCOG 2008.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

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Example of Local Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Adopted Regional Reduction Goals

2012: 10% Below Business as Usual

2020: 20% Below 2005

2050: 80% Below 2005

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Opportunities to reduce regional GHG emissions

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Selected Major Recommendations

Regional Planning• Prepare strategy to achieve 2012 regional

emission reduction goal by end of 2009 (10% below business as usual)

Energy

Transportation

• Prepare strategy to achieve 2020 regional emission reduction goal by end of 2010 (20% below 2005)

• Explore energy audit and retrofit program.• Promote energy efficient street lighting.• Collaborate with utilities on regional

energy conservation program.

Land Use

• Adopt Regional Green Fleet Policy• Support California Low Emission

Vehicle Standards

• Develop regional planning process for reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions

• Establish Transit-oriented development as the region’s preferred growth strategy

• Prepare plan to meet goal of increased tree canopy in region.

• Implement COG green building policy• Implement Best Practices to reduce local

govt. energy use by 15% by 2015• Local govts purchase 20% green power by 2015

Selected Major Recommendations

Street Light Recommendation

• The Climate Change Steering Committee’s report to the COG Board identifies a range of regional greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Among the implementation strategies is a recommendation to “examine options and develop plans for replacing street lights with energy efficient street lighting (LED or other options) across the region.”

CEEPC MembershipCOG Members - 251 Elected Official per

COG local government+

1 Additional elected Official for:

District of Columbia (Mayor)Fairfax County

Montgomery County (Exec)Prince George County (Exec)

State Government - 13MD, VA Senate + House

State Environment,Energy, Transportation

Directors

Stakeholders - 17

Federal/Regional Agencies - 4Electric & Gas Utilities - 3

Environmental Community - 3Business Community - 3

Academic Community – 3

+ Chair, Air Quality Public Advisory Committee

Regional*

Transportation Planning Board

Metropolitan WashingtonAir Quality Committee

WMATA Board of Directors

*Added if not represented by COG members. 15

2009-2012 Regional Climate Action Workplan

Goal: Reduce Demand for Energy

Promote energy efficient streetlights across the region