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Published byLeslie Todd Summers Modified over 9 years ago
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Regulating Carbon Dioxide Emissions Sam Sadler Taking the Lead: State Innovations to Reduce Greenhouse Gases National Governors Association Washington, DC March 1, 2002
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The context for energy facility siting in Oregon. What the CO 2 standard requires. Successful experience regulating CO 2 emissions and purchasing offsets. Outline
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Siting Council is a 7-member citizens’ board, which is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Ensures that new energy facilities are safe and environmentally acceptable. Assess the compliance of energy facilities with its standards and other laws. Provides a unified decision-making process. Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council
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In 1997, Oregon passed a law to limit net CO 2 emissions from base-load gas plants to 0.70 lbs. CO 2 /kWh net electric output. In 1999, the Siting Council applied the initial standard to other new energy facilities. In 2000, the Siting Council revised the standard for base-load gas plants to 0.675 lbs. CO 2 /kWh. Currently in rulemaking to apply that standard to other new energy facilities. Oregon’s Carbon Dioxide Emissions Standard
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New facilities can meet the standard in four ways: Reduce emissions by building high- efficiency plants. Provide cogeneration that offsets fossil fuels at a manufacturing plant. Invest directly in projects that offset CO 2 emissions with Siting Council approval. Pay a “qualified organization” 85 cents per short ton of excess CO 2 —the “monetary path.” CO 2 Emissions Standard
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Monetary Path: Independent party purchases offsets Payment relieves developer from any further obligation or liability for offsets, but also separates ownership. For a new 550 to 600 megawatt combined- cycle natural gas-fired power plant, including supplemental duct-firing, payments range from $8 to $10 million. Monetary path is about 0.3 - 0.4% of the present value of construction and operating costs. CO 2 Emissions Standard
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Independent, non-profit organization that may receive funds from developers via the monetary path. Qualified Organization Statutory requirements: Structure of 7-member board. Direct CO 2 offsets from future projects. At least 80% of funds must go to CO 2 offsets; up to 20 % may go to administration. “Best efforts” in purchasing offsets, but no direct link to the tons required of the developer.
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The Climate Trust The Trust has contracts for $1 million in projects to offset about 940,000 short tons of CO 2. Average cost of first portfolio: $1.27 per short ton/CO 2 The Trust has is now evaluating proposals for about $6 million in offset projects. The Climate Trust is the only qualified organization to date. It purchases CO 2 offsets and retires them.
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The Climate Trust Internet-based carpool coordination in Portland metro area. Landfill gas-to-electricity with CO 2 recovery. Innovative financing of Oregon wind power. NW forest preservation for Lummi Indian Tribe. Tropical rainforest preserve reforestation with native trees in Ecuador. . First Portfolio, using 86% of offset funds:
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www.climatetrust.org The Climate Trust Seattle City Light 250,000 metric ton solicitation Other greenhouse gases Conducted along with monetary path solicitation Other private businesses Climate Trust Partnerships
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2001: New legislative initiatives. Temporary energy generating facilities exempted from all Council standards except CO 2. Voluntary carbon sequestration registry in the Dept. of Forestry. Three percent “public benefits” charge effective March 1, 2002, to support energy efficiency and renewable resource projects. Recent Legislation
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Regulating CO 2 emissions has not hindered new- plant construction activity. Since 1997: Two plants have been constructed. Two plants are under construction. Two plants will begin construction soon. Eight plants are in the permitting process. If all these were built, it would more than double Oregon’s generating capacity. Limiting CO 2 Emissions
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All developers have chosen the monetary path. Developers must provide a bond or letter of credit for the full amount of offset funds before beginning construction, along with cash for selection and contracting funds. The Climate Trust can draw down full amount when it negotiates first contract. The Siting Council continues to refine the process through rules and site certificate conditions. Implementation
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Adopting the CO 2 standard was the result of policies that laid a foundation of strong citizen support for state and local actions to address climate change. Oregon has shown that states can regulate greenhouse gas emissions without harming the economy. Relying on the market to supply offsets adds flexibility for the successful implementation of the CO 2 standard. Observations:
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Sam Sadler Senior Analyst 503.373.1034 samuel.r.sadler@state.or.us Oregon Office of Energy 625 Marion Street NE Salem, OR 97301-3737 503.373.7806 fax www.energy.state.or.us click on “Facility Siting” then “Oregon’s Carbon Dioxide Standard.” For more information:
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