California's Climate Change

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by Edie Chang and Steven Cliff California’s Climate Change

Edie Chang, MSME, is a deputy executive officer at the California Air Resources Board of the California Environmental Protection Agency in Sacramento, CA. She oversees the Climate Change Program and the Solution Stationary Source Division. E-mail: [email protected]. An Integrated Model Steven Cliff, Ph.D., is an assistant division chief of the Stationary Source Division. Climate change poses a serious and significant threat to the planet, with dire consequences for the world’s environment, economy, and social welfare. Many of the negative environmental impacts associated with climate change are now increasingly

Downtown Los becoming visible in California, including Angeles Aerial reduced snowpack and earlier runoff of California’s transportation sources the stored water supply, rising sea levels, contribute nearly and seasonal changes affecting crop 40% of the state’s GHG emissions, and production. This article provides a brief 55% percent of NOX overview of the state’s approach to finding in the San Joaquin Valley and South solutions to climate change. Coast Region. Thus, reducing emissions from transportation would play a critical role in meeting both the state’s midterm air quality goals, as well as its long-term climate targets.

Daniel Stein/iStock/Thinkstock

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VOC 2,500 NOX

2,000 SOX DPM 1,500 PM2.5 Statewide Emissions PM10 (tons/day, annual average) 1,000

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The latest climate science underscores the urgent tremendously, and are projected to continue to need to accelerate greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- decrease in the coming years (see Figure 1). sion reductions to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on These results are made possible by a strong re- Climate Change’s recently released sub-report to search program, a solid scientific foundation, long- the Fifth Assessment report1 also highlights the term vision, dedicated investments, and sustained need for significant action—GHG emissions must be and comprehensive actions that drive innovative reduced to 80% below 1990 levels by mid-century policies. The same solid science which has served as to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. In the basis for California’s air quality regulations is the addition to the benefits for climate change mitiga- foundation for the California Air Resources Board’s tion, research suggests that technologically feasible (CARB) most recent climate mitigation efforts. and cost-effective actions to reduce GHGs can also (An article elsewhere in this issue details Califor- reduce emissions of smog-forming and toxic pollut- nia’s climate change research program.) ants to meet federal air quality requirements, and provide healthy air for all Californians. A State Plan with Global Implications A Strong Foundation CARB’s experience with climate change dates California has a demonstrable reputation as a cham- back to 2003 and adoption of the world’s first pion in improving air quality and public health for regulations to reduce GHGs from vehicles. Since California has a its residents. Over the years, California has imple- then, the California Global Warming Solutions Act demonstrable mented effective policies that have dramatically cut of 2006 (also known as AB 32) has given CARB pollution from new cars, made its new buildings responsibility for the design and implementation reputation as and appliances the most efficient in the country, of a suite of programs to reduce GHG emissions. a champion in created the cleanest-burning transportation fuels AB 32 directs CARB to reduce GHG emissions in the world, phased out dirty coal and oil burning back to 1990 levels by 2020. California is well on improving air quality power plants, and brought entire new industries its way to achieving that target, and has laid a solid and public health to life and clean technologies to market. Conse- foundation to maintain those reductions and re- quently, California’s emissions have decreased duce even more beyond 2020. for its residents. awma.org june 2014 em 15 Copyright 2014 Air & Waste Management Association Figure 2. California’s binds together efforts to gain the comprehensive strategy most benefits in criteria and GHG for the transportation Vehicle emission reductions. The proposed Technologies sector. scoping plan update looks at prog- ress in program implementation, successes to date, and what must be done beyond 2020 as California faces the long-term goal of reducing GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The update comprehensively assesses the scien- Integrated tific basis to support a realistic mid- Systems term reduction target in the 2030 time frame and also describes the need for sector-specific targets to Improved achieve that goal. Low Carbon Mobility and Fuels Reduced Activity The scoping plan update also sharp- ens CARB’s focus on Short-Lived- Climate-Pollutants (SLCPs), which include black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and some hy- drofluorocarbons (HFCs). A recent Planning, design, and development of many of the study3 shows California’s diesel regulations and GHG reduction strategies began with the AB 32 burning restrictions will reduce black carbon emis- Scoping Plan,2 released in 2008. This master plan sions to 95% below 1990 levels by 2020. Reducing involved input from numerous California govern- short-lived climate pollutants produces immediate ment agencies, a vast array of stakeholders, and climate benefits by mitigating emissions of especially the public. It sets out an ambitious roadmap for the potent GHGs, and is an important complement to state, and establishes a framework for a portfolio long-term climate change mitigation efforts. of programs, including California’s Cap-and-Trade Program to address the largest emission sources of Designing a GHGs in the state; the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Successful Program (LCFS) to provide for cleaner fuels; the Renewables CARB has assumed a leadership role in air quality Reducing short-lived Portfolio Standard (RPS) to deliver 33% of Califor- and GHG regulations because conditions in the climate pollutants nia’s electricity from the cleanest sources by 2020; state demand it. Air pollution levels, especially in and the Advanced Clean Car (ACC) regulations, Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley, are still produces immediate setting standards and goals for fuel efficiency and higher than the established federal air quality stan- climate benefits by zero-emission vehicles through 2025. The recom- dards. Many of California’s air pollution challenges mended reduction measures will drive innovation, are unique to our climate, geography, and popula- mitigating emissions improve the environment, enhance public health, tion, and CARB approaches all regulations with of especially and support the growth of clean energy technolo- that in mind. Mandatory regional criteria pollutant potent GHGs, and gies and businesses. The comprehensive approach reduction targets will be established in the 2016 in the initial scoping plan addressed key criteria, in- State Implementation Plans (SIPs) with expected is an important cluding technological feasibility, cost-effectiveness, reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions on complement to overall societal benefits, and impacts on specific the order of 90% below 2010 levels in the South sectors, such as small business and disproportion- Coast Region and similar reductions in the San long-term climate ately impacted communities. Joaquin Valley needed by the year 2032. Many change mitigation of the strategies employed to reduce GHG emis- AB 32 also requires the scoping plan to be up- sions will also help to meet the National Ambi- efforts. dated every five years, and the latest version ent Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) or ozone in

16 em june 2014 awma.org Copyright 2014 Air & Waste Management Association 2032. With that in mind, California • Drive innovation and invest- is developing a comprehensive and ment in low-carbon fuels— cohesive strategy for meeting both The Low Carbon Fuel Standard the criteria and GHG targets. requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of transpor- One of the best examples of such tation fuel by 10% by 2020. Two an all-encompassing approach is to million excess credits had been the transportation sector in Califor- generated through the third nia. Transportation is widely consid- quarter of 2013, and more than ered a three-legged stool, balanced 200 fuel pathways are now avail- on three equally important and crit- able for compliance. The Cap- ical elements: vehicle technology, and-Trade Program requires fuel transportation fuels, and activity. suppliers to account for the car- California’s transportation sources bon in their fuel to further en- contribute nearly 40% of the state’s courage California’s transition to GHG emissions, and 55% percent a clean energy supply. of NOX in the San Joaquin Valley • Provide more mobility op- and South Coast Region. Thus, tions—California enacted the reducing emissions from transpor- Sustainable Communities and tation would play a critical role in Climate Protection Act (also meeting both the state’s midterm known as Senate Bill 375) in air quality goals, as well as its long- 2008, which aims to reduce term climate targets. GHG emissions through coor- dinated transportation and land California’s transportation control use planning with the goal of program relies on four major ele- creating more sustainable com- ments to build on the strong regu- munities. The statute requires latory foundation that is already California to develop regional in place: GHG reduction targets for pas- senger travel for the various • Drive development of effi- transportation planning regions, cient engine and zero-emis- and CARB is working closely sion vehicle technology—The with all the regions to develop Advanced Clean Car program effective and sustainable land combines further reductions use and transportation manage- in criteria pollutants with GHG ment strategies for short- and emission reductions for internal long-term success. combustion vehicles, while si- • Integrated systems to en- multaneously driving clean car hance environmental per- technology with the Zero Emis- formance—To meet California’s sion Vehicle (ZEV) standard, aggressive reduction targets, the which calls for one in seven new state must integrate multiple car sales to be a zero-emission systems to maximize efficiency vehicle by 2025. California has and reduce emissions. For ex- signed a Memorandum of Un- ample, combining smoother derstanding (MOU) with seven road surfaces, cleaner fuels, other states to more quickly de- and expanded use of GPS and velop the market for ZEVs. This broadband technology to in- collaboration calls for putting crease both light-duty vehicle additional 3.3 million ZEVs on and freight movement efficiency the road by 2025. (see Figure 2). awma.org june 2014 em 17 Copyright 2014 Air & Waste Management Association Fracturing Impacts and Presented by: Technologies Conference September 4-5, 2014

Lubbock, TX Photo courtesy of Apache Corp

Call For Abstracts: Deadline is May 23, 2014 Abstract Submission Details Texas Tech University and the Air and Waste Management Association invite you to submit an Abstract of 300 words or less must be abstract to the Fracturing Impacts and Technologies Conference to be held September 4-5, submitted by May 23, 2014 to [email protected]. 2014 at the Overton Hotel in Lubbock, TX. The goal of the conference is to foster an open Full abstract submission guidelines available inter-disciplinary dialogue on hydraulic fracturing in West Texas, with a particular emphasis on at www.awma.org/ t. Barnett Shale and Permian Basin shale plays. Proposed Session Topics • Barnett Shale Play The conference provides an excellent opportunity to present and discuss current innovations • Permian Basin and applications for reducing the environmental footprint of fracturing operations. The • Hydraulic Fracturing Technology conference plenary will also feature distinguished speakers from federal and state agencies, as • Water Treatment and Recycling • Public Engagement: Bene ts and Impacts well as industry leaders and academic researchers who will discuss impending policies and to Land Owners technological breakthroughs. Concurrent sessions will also include topics covering potential • Air & Water Litigation economic bene ts, environmental risks and legal considerations for land owners and a separate • Investing in Hydraulic Fracturing session for investors.

For more information on this conference please visit www.awma.org/ t. Barnett Shale Play Permian Basin Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Water Public Engagement: Bene ts and Impacts to Land Owners Together, the AB 32 rules combine regulation of Shenzen, which recently inaugurated its own Air & Water Litigation with economic incentives to create a “push–pull” cap-and-trade program. California linked its Cap- mechanism that pushes compliance, while pulling and-Trade Program with Quebec’s this year, and in the technological innovation and development to as the U.S. federal government pursues GHG achieve it. For example, the ACC and the LCFS cre- emission standards for power plants, flexible com- ate a regulatory push to achieve emission reductions. pliance mechanisms such as cap-and-trade may At the same time, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project provide options for other states. (CVRP) provides incentives for the zero-emissions vehicles required under the ACC program. California has built a suite of complementary programs which can serve as fundamental models Conclusion for other states and countries. Toward that end, California has taken a leadership role in develop- CARB has hosted a number of international teams, ing a comprehensive set of GHG reduction regu- including delegations from China, Germany, and lations with the goal of establishing collaborative South Korea, who are hoping to learn from Cali- efforts with other jurisdictions to reduce emissions fornia’s experience and examine our procedures. worldwide. California has signed MOUs with For our programs to truly succeed, we must learn many jurisdictions to exchange information and from, and help each other design the most suc- share experiences. This includes the Chinese city cessful programs for each jurisdiction. em

References 1. Climate Change 2013—The Physical Science Basis; Working Group I Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2013; available online at http://www.ipcc.ch/. 2. Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) Scoping Plan, California Air Resources Board. See http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan.htm. 3. Ramanathan, V. (Principal Investigator) Black Carbon and the Regional Climate of California; Report to the California Air Resources Board, Contract 08-323, April 2013; available online at http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/08-323.pdf.