1 EPA Local Government Climate and Energy Program Neelam R. Patel National Brownfields Conference 2009 November 18, 2009 New Orleans, Louisiana

2 Outline  Program Overview  Resources  Climate Showcase Communities Grant  Additional EPA Programs

3 EPA Local Climate and Energy Program Goals Assist localities (e.g., regional governments, municipalities and small communities) to:  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving their sustainability, climate, energy or economic goals  Identify credible information on key climate and energy strategies to local governments  Understand, integrate, and maximize multiple benefits in planning and designing cost-effective programs  Facilitate peer-to-peer exchange

4 Multiple Benefits Framework for Climate - Clean Energy  Local Governments can achieve:  Air quality improvements  Greenhouse gas emission reductions  Energy security and reliability  Economic development  Public health  Quality of life Clean Energy Air Quality Climate Change Clean Energy: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Clean Distributed Generation EPA Local Climate and Energy Program Approach

5 Create Collaboratives Establish Goals Identify Policies & Programs Design & Analyze Implement & Evaluate Progress Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide, Peer Exchanges Clean Air Climate Protection Software, eGRID Clean Energy Resources Database, Clean Energy/Climate Policy Maps, SEP Toolkit, Heat Island Actions Database, Heat Island Compendium, Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide, Local Government Webcasts, ENERGY STAR, other EPA Partnerships COBRA, GHG Equivalency Calculator, Local Government Webcasts, LBE Guide, Multiple Benefits Guide, Biomass Toolkit M&V Guidance, ENERGY STAR Benchmarking / Portfolio Manager, Clean Energy/Climate Policy Maps, GHG Equivalency Calculator Roadmap for Locals: Achieving GHG Reductions using EPA Tools

6 Key Programmatic Resources  Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide practices.html practices.html  Local Clean Energy Webcasts  Clean Energy Resources Database for Local Governments

7 Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide  Covers 15 strategies in 5 areas  Energy Efficiency  Energy Supply  Transportation  Urban Planning and Design  Waste Management  Available draft guides  Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing– Green Power Procurement  Energy Efficient Product Procurement– On-site Renewables  Combined Heat and Power– Landfill Gas to Energy  Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations – EE in K-12 Schools  Future guides  Transportation Control Measures  Efficient Fleets  Smart Growth

8 Local Clean Energy Strategies Guide Chapter Content Chapter outline: Overview of strategy Benefits Measures Key Participants Mechanisms for Implementation Implementation Considerations Costs and Funding Opportunities Interaction with Federal, State, and Regional Programs Detailed Case Studies Resources and References

9 Sample Content: Local Climate and Energy Guides Energy Efficiency in Municipal Operations Guide Snapshot of planning and design approaches to energy efficiency content:  Improving energy efficiency in existing and new local government facilities  Incorporating energy efficiency in new and renovated “green” buildings  Improving energy efficiency in local government operations On-Site Renewable Energy Generation Guide Snapshot of renewable energy measures and technologies content:  Wind  Solar  Geothermal  Biomass  Landfill gas and other biogas  Solid waste (waste-to-energy)  Low-impact hydropower  Fuel cells

10 Local Clean Energy Peer Exchange Webcasts, Listserve Webcasts:  Monthly webcasts provide:  An overview of the relevant EPA programs and resources  Presentations by 1-2 local practitioners about their experiences implementing similar projects  Q and A sessions  Webcasts are posted online and can be used as resource  Examples of past webcasts include: ARRA 2009 Clean Energy Opportunities Landfill Gas to Energy Green Power Procurement Energy Efficiency Procurement  Upcoming webcasts topics include:  Energy efficiency in K-12 schools, Transportation Control Measures, Combined Heat and Power, Clean Energy Workforce Development Listserve : to sign up, visit for more information  Provides information on new policy developments; highlights technology advances; shares information on new studies, reports, and upcoming events; and notes new funding opportunities

11 EPA Guidance links Recovery Funds with Energy Programs  ARRA 2009: A Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives for Local and Tribal Governments  Companion March 5, 2009 webcast recording available online  local/webcast.html local/webcast.html  ARRA 2009: State and Local Guide to U.S. EPA Climate and Energy Program Resources programs/state-and-local programs/state-and-local  Information about Tax Credits  Portfolio Manager Implementation Resources  Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency Toolkit

12 Climate Showcase Communities Grant Funded in FY 2009 and FY 2010 Appropriations Bill  $10M Competitive grant to assist local communities in pursuing their own climate change initiatives  Goal is to achieve documentable, replicable GHG reductions from a range of activities  Program will:  Foster collaborative partnership between communities and with the Federal government  Ensure federal investments spur local innovation and produce concrete results  Promote transfer of best practices among localities  Identify strategies to overcome institutional barriers to local governments achieving energy use and GHG reductions  Grantees will be awarded in February 2010

13 Climate Showcase Grant Framework  Demonstrate integrated and sustainable community approaches that achieve large reductions in GHG emissions and additional co-benefits (Air Quality, Jobs, etc)  Planning through implementation (including financing, technical assistance, policy development, training, and partnerships)  Major emission sources -- buildings, transportation, public services  Robust Measurement and Reporting  Build networks and peer exchange to share approaches  Spur additional climate action  Move beyond “shovel ready” clean energy projects to comprehensive and integrated GHG management that creates jobs  Offer forums for training and peer exchange Training workshop (Spring 2010) Annual Conferences (2011, 2012)

14 Help Local Governments:  Learn from Best Practices  Emphasize Co-Benefits  Integrate Planning  Prioritize EE as a Resource These programs offer:  Direct Technical Support  Peer Exchange  Tools and Guidance Collision Repair Campaign EPA Partnership Opportunities for Locals

15 Key EPA Climate and Energy Programs  Local Climate and Energy Program  ENERGY STAR for local governments cal cal  ENERGY STAR Residential Program  Combined Heat and Power  Green Power Partnership  Landfill Methane Outreach Program  Smart Growth Program  Heat Island Reduction Program  Office of Transportation and Air Quality

16 ENERGY STAR  Joint program of U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE helping save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.  How can local governments benefit from ENERGY STAR:  Sign up for the Energy Star Challenge  Benchmark Government Buildings  Reduce energy use in homes

17 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Sponsored by a utility, state or local government A network of specially-trained contractors Evaluate homes using state-of-the-art equipment Recommend comprehensive energy improvements Ready to complete the work or refer to someone who can Quality assurance program checks work of participating contractors to verify program standards are met Homeowner chooses and pays for improvements based on credible information

18 ENERGY STAR for Buildings Offers proven solutions to help building owners and managers reduce energy consumption Program for new construction and existing buildings Works in markets with a focus on:  Public sector (government, K-12, higher ed)  Healthcare  Small business and congregations  Commercial property (offices, retail, hotels)  Provides free online benchmarking tool for existing buildings– Portfolio Manager

19 Summary  Local governments play a key role in climate and energy issues.  Every day, local governments make decisions that impact energy security and reliability, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, economic development, public health, and quality of life.  Local policies and programs complement, supplement, and enforce policies and action by other levels of government and the private sector.  Local governments are a high priority of the current administration.  Administrator Jackson has made communities a top EPA priority, and the Agency is engaging in a number of initiatives to support local governments and champion local interests at the federal level.  ARRA funds provide a tremendous opportunity for local governments to build and strengthen EE and climate protection programs in ways that will provide benefits beyond the economic recovery period.  EPA has a number of programs, resources, and tools to help local governments take advantage of the opportunities available.

20 EPA Local Climate and Energy Contacts Neelam R. Patel Emma Zinsmeister Andrea Denny Main Website: State and Local Climate and Energy Listserv: