Climate Change News and Notes

The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released a report that contains the proposed approach for addressing the calculation and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of the WCI Regional Cap and Trade Program.  The tracking of GHG emissions will begin in 2010 and reporting will begin in 2011.  Combustion and non-combustion emissions from electrical generation, large industrial facilities, and gas and oil production will be part of the program.  Participation in the allowance portion of the WCI Regional Cap and Trade Program will be phased in by having larger GHG sources begin to participate in January 2012 and smaller GHG sources participating at a later date.  If a facility emits more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), it will be included in the WCI Regional Cap and Trade Program.  If a facility emits more than 10,000 metric tons CO2e then the facility will have to report and verify its GHG emissions.  The Climate Registry (TCR) will manage the WCI information and will use a variation of the Climate Registry Information System (CRIS).  The WCI is preparing GHG quantification procedures for more than 30 key industrial sectors using the Climate Leaders Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidance.  Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Utah participate in the WCI.  Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, and Wyoming are observing the WCI.