Oregon Global Warming Commission/Interim Roadmap to 2020
From Eugene Neighbors
The Oregon Global Warming Commission has published an Interim Roadmap to 2020, which is undergoing public comment as May, 2011.
The full 173 page report is available as a PDF file at this link: http://www.keeporegoncool.org/sites/default/files/Integrated_OGWC_Interim_Roadmap_to_2020_Oct29_11-19Additions.pdf
At this wiki page, we're creating a working review of the Interim Roadmap to 2020.
The Interim Roadmap to 2020 is presented with some introductory material, plus recommendations in six topical sections.
Each of the six topical sections appear to have been produced largely by its own committee, so the approach, clarity, and quality varies somewhat from section to section.
Contents |
[edit] Summary Analysis of the Interim Roadmap
Overall, the roadmap fails to define and propose a specific set of action that have a reasonable likelihood of meeting the state-adopted greenhouse gas emissions goals.
Many of the proposed actions are generally positive, but are much too vague as stated to guide timely and effective action..
There are some glaring gaps, such as the failure to propose specific targets for VMT reduction.
There are also significant actions proposed which in fact are not likely to save carbon emissions, including increasing natural gas and forest biomass energy generation.
A good fraction of the roadmap document by length is "future statements" which are aspirational. It is unfortunate that the specific proposals in the roadmap fail categorically to define concrete and timely progress toward the aspirational visions.
[edit] Energy
The primary recommendations in the Energy topic appear on page 7:
- Develop State Energy and Climate Policy
- Energy Efficiency
- Support and Plan for New Transmission
- Phase Out Emissions Associated with Coal Generation
- Oregon University System (OUS) Energy Research Priorities
- Modern Gas Infrastructure
- Smart Grid and Integration of Resources
Thumbnail Analysis
The energy recommendations are a mixed bag. Overall, they make some important points, but fail to define a clearly successful approach.
Four years after state GHG emissions reduction goals were established, we should be past saying we should develop clear state policies on energy and climate. The roadmap should clearly state specific policies for refinement and adoption.
The energy efficiency "roadmap" should state specific performance levels for proposed code revisions, not just the uncalibrated general idea. The goal on reducing coal emissions is similarly good, but too vague.
On the other hand, it is flat wrong to plan for increases in natural gas transmission and consumption (in both fixed and mobile applications). The latest research shows that the carbon savings from switching from coal to gas are much less than broadly assumed - similar to the situation with biofuels.
[edit] Transportation and Land Use
The primary recommendations in the Transportation and Land Use topic appear on page 28:
1. Change the Way We Fund Transportation
2. Develop New Funding Sources
3. Expand Urban Transit
4. Create Complete Neighborhoods
5. Keep Urban Footprints Compact
6. Move Freight the Low‐Carbon Way
7. Plan to Mitigate GHGs and Adapt to Climate Change
8. Expand Intercity Transportation Options/Choice
9. Reduce Demand by Increasing Options
10. Manage and Price Parking
11. Support Electric Vehicles
12. Adopt Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Thumbnail Analysis
As it fails to propose specific and realistic targets for VMT over time, the transportation and land use section of the report is devastatingly inadequate in its current form.
Overly attentive to established business as usual, this section fails to weed out distractions and wishful thinking, and does not define a successful package of strategies.
[edit] Industrial Use
The primary recommendations for the Industrial Use topic appear on page 70.
1. Accelerate use of energy efficient technology and practice.
2. Establish GhG leadership recognition program.
3. Improve access to financing and incentives.
4. Build human capacity to innovate and execute industry process improvements.
[edit] Agriculture
The primary recommendations for the Agriculture topic appear on page 100.
- Increase Nutrient Use Efficiency
- Increase Carbon Sequestration in Crop Management
- Develop Manure to Energy Methods
- Proactively Prepare for and Adapt to Climate Change Impacts on Water Supply
[edit] Forestry
The primary recommendations for the Forestry topic appear on page 108.
- Establish a Carbon Inventory for Oregon Forests
- Invest in Key Research to understand the impacts of climate change on carbon storage in forests
- Pursue Reforestation/Afforestation
- Advance Energy and Forest policies supporting biomass facilities
Thumbnail Analysis
This section fails to make sense at the most basic level. It recommends reforestation and afforestation, but does not specifically recommend keeping the large trees that are already storing carbon in our existing forests.
The biomass recommendation in particular appears to be based on a combination of wishful and self-interested thinking. The science on forest biomass energy generation does not support making it a strategy for forest carbon savings.
[edit] Materials Management
The primary recommendations for the Materials Management topic appear on page 125.
- Advocate for carbon price signal across life cycle of products and materials (either by an emissions cap and/or a carbon tax), including imports (border adjustment mechanism/carbon tariff if necessary).
- Research and integrate a consumption‐based GHG inventory methodology with the State's conventional inventory, and identify high‐carbon product categories
- Develop and disseminate information: easy‐to‐use life cycle metrics for different food types
- Establish standards, incentives, and/or mandates for carbon footprinting, labeling of
products
- Focus product stewardship on upstream emissions and design for appropriate durability,
repairability, reusability, efficiency, and recovery
- Establish higher standards for new buildings: “net zero” plus offset of materials
- Provide consumer education, information, outreach on consumption, materials use, and
prevention/reuse, including low‐GHG food and diet choices
- Reduce (prevent) waste of food at the retail and consumer level by 5‐50%
- Conduct research on highest/best use for organic wastes and the carbon impact of different
conversion technologies
