April 24, 2012 The USEPA recently released its 17th annual U.S. GHG emissions inventory, The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2010 (http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html). The report shows overall GHG emissions in 2010 increased by 213 million metric tons or 3.2% from the previous year, despite a recession. About 77% of all GHG emissions derive [...]

On March 27, 2012, the USEPA announced a new draft rule regulating GHG emissions from new electric utility generating units (EGUs) under New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. This is a first, as previous new rules regulating GHG emissions have been issued under the New Source Review and Title [...]

Climate Change & Environmental Services (CCES) announces their involvement in the successful conversion of the boilers at East River Housing (ERH), a 2,600-unit apartment complex located in lower Manhattan from burning heavy No. 6 fuel oil to burning cleaner and significantly less expensive natural gas. CCES served as the chief environmental engineer and the construction [...]

Over the last few months the USEPA has begun implementing rules to reduce GHG emissions. Not the traditional way by having affected facilities measure and reduce GHG emissions, but by encouraging operational changes to accomplish the same goal. Two rulings that can affect businesses are as follows: 1. Alternative refrigerants. This past December the USEPA [...]

The USEPA posted on Feb. 24, 2012 minor changes to the Tailoring Rule, tailoring Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Operating Permit programs to GHG emissions. The USEPA essentially announced that they would not change many of the parameters in the original draft rule, such as applicability thresholds and gradual scheduling. The USEPA [...]

September 26, 2011 The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule (GHGRR), found in 40 CFR Part 98, has a major deadline in front of us. The first reports of GHG emissions for 2010 are required to be submitted to the USEPA electronically by this Friday, Sept. 30. The USEPA set up an electronic data submission system [...]

Let’s face it: it’s tough to sell a corporate “green” program in-house. You know of the many financial advantages for your company if it develops a robust program. But most companies – especially in these tough times – are conservative and don’t want to spend money on a program with even the slightest risk of [...]

July 2011 You are aware of the business arguments for establishing a sustainability or “green” program (see last month’s newsletter!) and are seriously considering or have begun such a program. It is therefore important to plan the proper metrics of your program in order to demonstrate success so that all stakeholders understand your benefits and [...]

July 5, 2011 I hate to bring up this issue on Independence Weekend when we should celebrate the many great things about America. But we are falling behind the rest of the world in one area of great importance to us, and that is, clean energy and energy efficiency. The U.S. has an estimated 120 [...]

June 1, 2011 As you walk down your local supermarket aisle and you compare brands, you generally see only price, price per measure ($ per lb, per fluid ounce, etc.), and maybe calories. Well, several supermarkets and stores are beginning to experiment with labels to provide consumers with the product’s relative carbon emissions. Tesco, the [...]