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West Coast Climate Change Policies Are We Whistling in the Wind JELL Symposium at the Knight Law School October 19, 2007

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West Coast Climate Change Policies Are We Whistling in the Wind JELL Symposium at the Knight Law School October 19, 2007

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    2. 2 CO2 from 1000 to 2000 AD Steep Increase in late 1700’s as Industrial Revolution Begins Measured in East Antarctica Ice Cores

    3. Good News/Bad News We have met the enemy It is us We broke it/We can fix it? 3

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    10. 10 Let’s Do the Numbers The US is 4 % of the world’s population but causes 25 % of the world’s CO2. The US emits more CO2 than China, India, and Japan combined. US Coal burning power plants cause 2.5 billion tons . US automobiles and trucks cause 1.5 billion tons. (Model T Ford was more fuel efficient than current fleet.) Every person CO2 worldwide causes 4 tons/year Every Oregon person CO2 causes 17 tons/year

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    17. WCI Emission Design Principles Prevent dangerous global warming with 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 Carbon emission permit revenues used for public benefit, not windfall profits Trading program should accelerate efficiency and renewables Emission reductions must be verifiable with transparent, mandatory reporting 17

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    19. Entities covered by Cap-and-Trade Utilities and unregulated fuels Regulated utilities Coonsumer-owned utilities Merchant electric plants Regulated gas utilities Unregulated fossil fuels (oil, gas, propane) Point-source emitters Industrial/commercial point source GHG emitters with significant emissions (oil & gas production) Other sectors like transportation if point of regulation at regional level 19

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    24. 24 GHG Reduction Strategies for Forestry Reduce wildfires Consider GHG reduction in land-use decisions Reforestation on under producing lands Increase length of rotations (maximum at 200 years vs. 40 years) Biomass energy production to displace fossil fuels Construction with wood products to store carbon and displace carbon emitting concrete and steel

    25. 25 GHG Reduction Strategies for Building Design and Construction Problem (Positive feedback loop): More cooling > more power plant emissions > more Co2 > more warming Energy efficiency in heating/cooling, lighting, shell insulation Distributed renewable systems: solar, geothermal, wind Passive solar siting and building design Reflective and absorbtive surfaces and paints Materials selection: more wood, less cement, recycling

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    28. Challenges of State Public Utility Regulation of GHG Commerce clause limits state in electricity generation regulation (FERC regulates lines to remote renewables) Best wind in Wyoming but people are on the coast Siting and rate-setting separated Externalities (carbon adders) only internalized in utility plans (IRP), not integrated with transmission and distribution, and unevenly administered as “suggestion” 28

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    32. Oregon Preparation Policies HB 3543 establishes a Global Warming Commission charged with an outreach strategy to: 1. Educate public on science and impacts 2. Inform on ways to prepare for effects 3. Inform on ways to reduce ghg emissions and an under funded Climate Change Research Institute to support Commission in developing preparation and mitigation strategies 32

    33. Washington Preparation Policies Climate Impacts Group at UW provides updates on climate science and regional impacts Work groups on preparation: ag, forestry, coast, etc. 33

    34. California Preparation Policies Agencies considering programs and policies related to climate change: Business, Transportation and Housing, Food and Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resources,and Water Resources Website: “CA will leverage its vast intellectual and economic resources preparing for foreseeable future impacts and reducing green house gasses.” “Responding to climate change will not be an additional burden but will, in fact, provide economic development, energy and economic security, and improve public health and safety.” Climate change advisory committee includes reps from agriculture, forestry, utilities, local government, industry, and environment. 34

    35. Oregon Preparation Policies cross-cutting through Five Focus Groups: Business, Human Services, Natural Systems, Built Systems, Conservation Use land-use codes to remove people and buildings from hazard areas Peg insurance premiums to hazard risk Integrate climate change into existing sustainability programs Ensure public is informed and educated on impacts and risks Scale down impact data to local level 35

    36. 36 Preparation Strategies for Building Design and Construction Add cooling systems Expand storm drainage Build protection against severe storm events: wind and precipitation Provide more water storage (rainwater collection) in drought areas Vector protection (the screened porch)

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    41. 41 To Conclude: What is to be Done? If nothing done Oregon GHG emissions will be 61% over 1990 levels by 2025 Goal: Reduce Green House Emissions by 75 % below 1990 in 42 Years Pay now less or pay more later A race against time due to lag effect of existing CO2 and inertia in th atmosphere and ocean

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