MA Global Warming Solutions ActUpdate on Progress & Plans

Aisling O’Shea, GWSA ManagerExecutive Office of Energy and Environmental

AffairsNovember 5, 2014

Massachusetts Envirothon Coach and Team WorkshopUmass Amherst

What is Massachusetts Doing to Address Climate Change?

• Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), 2008 Greenhouse gas ( GHG) reporting requirements and GHG emissions

inventory Emission reduction limits 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 (reductions from

1990 baseline levels), and plans to achieve GHG limits

• Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 CECP (Dec. 2010) identifies 27 strategies for climate mitigation Policies and programs for Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy,

Transportation, Land Use and Smart Growth. Revisions underway for update December 2015

• GWSA 5-Year Progress Report (2008-2013) December 31, 2013 www.mass.gov/env/gwsa

GHG Emission Targets US/World

20 States in US with GHG reduction targets, includes• Colorado 20% below 2005 by 2020 and 50% by 2050• Minnesota 15% below 2005 by 2015, 30% by 2025, 80% by 2050• California 1990 levels by 2020, 80% below 1990 by 2050Other Countries/Regions• Costa Rica – Carbon Neutrality by 2021• Europe – collective target of 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, 40% by 2030

and 80-95% by 2050• Australia – 5% below 2005 by 2020, 80% by 2050

Source: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

UN Climate Summit, Sept 2014 Progress towards Global Climate Agreement by end of 2015 and phasing out of GHG emissions to net zero by 2050

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Goals and Progress

* Percentage reduction below 1990 baseline level** Source: MassDEP (2014). Massachusetts Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

MA Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020

Buildings, Energy

Efficiency & Demand Side Management

Energy Generation

and Distribution

TransportationSmart Growth

andLand Use

Non-Energy

Emissions

Cross-Cutting Policies

www.mass.gov/eea/gwsa

& Demand-side Management

2020 Plan - GHG Emission ReductionTargets by Sector

29%36%

29%6%

7.49 MMT CO2e

9.1 MMT CO2e

1.65 MMT CO2e

7.3 MMT CO2e

Many sectors must improve to meet the 25% & 80% goals

Emissions from transportation are projected to grow under the business as usual scenario

Home Energy Audits & subsidies for energy efficiency measures,Cost savings and GHG reductions

MA First Zero-Net Energy BuildingNorth Shore Community College, DanversProduces as much energy as consumed each year (geothermal, solar, green roof + more)

Urban Tree Canopy – reduces heating and cooling costs

Lowering Energy Use in Homes and Communities

Increasing Renewable Energy in Massachusetts

2,000 MW Wind by 2020 107 MW installed

1600 MW solar by 2020687 MW installed

478 MW of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) installed

1. Provide as-of-right siting for renewable/alternative energy generation, research & development, or manufacturing facilities.

2. Expedite permitting for as-of-right energy facilities.

3. Establish an energy use baseline and develop a plan to reduce energy use by twenty percent (20%) within five (5) years.

4. Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles.

5. Set requirements to minimize life-cycle energy costs for new construction; (adopt the Stretch Code).

Green Communities Criteria:

Is your community a designated “Green

Community”?

In Massachusetts, zoning is the legal basis for future growth

Why focus on communities?

• Cities & Towns are the primary decision makers regarding where & how growth will occur

• Local regulations heavily influence energy use by all living in the community

Do the zoning regulations in your community support smart growth, GHG emission reduction, conservation?

Zoning in MA often calls for – office and industrial parks,shopping malls, apartment complexes, & subdivisions of single-family homes, all connected by miles & miles of roads

Which leads to

Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology

CO2 per household from auto use

Source: Litman, "Can smart growth policies conserve energy and reduce emissions?"

Residents of more walkable communities typically walk 2-4 times more and drive 5-15% less

Three Important Studies

Source: Land Use and Driving: The Role Compact Development Can Play in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Factors Influencing Driving BehaviorIncludes lifestyle choice, employment trends, fuel costs, land use and growth patterns

• Website that is user friendly, comprehensive, and MA focused

• Integrated materials on each smart growth technique to promote understanding and local passage of new zoning bylaws

• Case studies show real world implementation, many in Massachusetts communities

What is the Toolkit?

A resource that should be useful is the Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit that covers TOD, TND, & 18 other techniques:

Each technique includes: In Brief The Problem An Introduction Local Success and Benefits Financial Considerations

Technology for Smarter Choices

Use Smartphone apps, such as• CO2GO – Calculating your carbon footprint in real

time. Detects mode of transportation while tracking distance covered (MIT SENSEable City Lab) or other carbon emissions tracker

• Kill-Ur-Watts or other energy tracker (Alliance to Save Energy “Top 10 Energy Efficiency Smartphone apps” article 3/18/13

• Dept. of Energy Competition – Best Apps for Energy WOTZ – Student Winner Grand Prize, 2012

US Department of Energy “Apps for Energy” ContestOverall Application Winner - 2012

Project Ideas and Resources

• Green Communities: investigate and support efforts in your city/town (e.g. energy reduction plan, renewables, or improvements for walking/biking/transit)

• Technology: explore ways to use apps for tracking and improving carbon footprint

• Land Use/Smart Growth: how can zoning regulations and land planning be improved to reduce emissions and protect natural systems that store carbon?

• Resources: EEA and DOER program contacts and internet resources will be provided as follow up to workshop

Questions/Comments?

Aisling O’Shea, GWSA ManagerExecutive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

(617) 626-1024aisling.o’shea@state.ma.us

www.mass.gov/eea/gwsa