Climate Solutions
Climate Change Policy
To achieve the goal of truly stemming global climate change, we must fundamentally transform the way we power our global economy. Such a transformation will require all of us to engage in a concerted effort over the near and long-term, to seek out opportunities and design actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Global Green is working on several fronts to help stem global climate change including policy and advocacy.
The Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32)
Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the California Global Warming Solutions Act signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 2, 2006, is the most significant climate legislation passed to date in the United States. It requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020. Global Green advocated successfully for inclusion of language designed to allow low-income communities to directly participate in and benefit from the greenhouse gas reductions regulatory plan that is created as a result of AB 32. Read more about “The Community Empowerment Amendment” here.
UPDATE: A bid to suspend California's global warming law has qualified for the November 2010 ballot as Proposition 23. Texas oil companies are spending millions to push this deceptive ballot proposition that will effectively kill AB 32, and California clean energy and air pollution control standards. Valero Energy Corporation and Tesoro are among the nation’s biggest polluters, and their California oil refineries are among the top ten polluters in our state. By killing AB 32 and keeping us dependent on fossil fuels, this initiative will also increase household electricity costs in California by 33%. These added costs will reduce economic output in California by more than $80 billion and cost over a half million jobs by 2020. Find out more here.
The “30% Solution” - Modifying the International Energy Conservation Code
UPDATE: On October 29th, 2010, the International Code Council (ICC) approved a series of proposals that will boost the energy efficiency of home and commercial building construction by a historic 30%. This victory was the culmination of a three- year campaign to make the model code, called the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), more energy efficient. The “30% Solution” was championed by the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC) comprised of energy and environmental groups like Global Green, industry, and government agencies. After two decades of modest energy gains, it’s clear that building code officials across the U.S. recognize that we can lock in significant energy savings for generations to come by making energy improvements at construction or renovation, when they’re cheapest and easiest.
Global Green Policy and Legislative Associate Gina Goodhill traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina from Oct 26th-30th, 2010 for the final action hearing, during which code officials from around the globe voted on a plethora of energy related matters. Prior to the hearing, Global Green educated code officials in key states about the benefits of The 30% Solution 2012, worked with media to bring attention to the issue, and garnered support from key government and elected officials. The code is used in forty-seven states and the District of Columbia.
A 30% increase in efficiency is a victory for homeowners nationwide. A study by U.S. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that an average home that’s 30 percent more energy-efficient returns $511 a year in energy savings to homeowners even after taking into account the small mortgage payment increase needed to pay for the efficiency improvements.
The resulting residential improvements will:
- Ensure that new homes are better sealed to reduce heating and cooling losses,
- Improve the efficiency of windows and skylights,
- Increase insulation in ceilings, walls, and foundations,
- Reduce wasted energy from leaky heating and cooling ducts,
- Improve hot-water distribution systems to reduce wasted energy and water in piping, and
- Boost lighting efficiency.
Click here for the full press release.
AB 758 - Home Energy Efficiency Bill to Save Money, Reduce Carbon Emissions
In October 2009, the Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 758, legislation that will make existing buildings more energy efficient and less expensive to operate. The bill, sponsored by Global Green USA and authored by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner (D- Berkeley), will require the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop an energy efficiency program for all existing residential and commercial buildings.
Energy use in buildings is the largest single global warming pollution source in the United States – accounting for 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions nationally. AB 758 would require the California Energy Commission to establish a regulatory proceeding, by March 1, 2010, to develop and implement a comprehensive program to achieve energy savings in the existing residential and commercial building stock that falls significantly below current Title 24 building standards. The bill would also require the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), by January 1, 2011, to authorize each electrical corporation to provide a targeted number of low- or no-cost energy efficiency audits each calendar year.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)
In June 2009, The House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), a bill designed to address our planet's greatest threat - global warming. While Global Green is pleased that Congress took action, and did so quickly indicating that this issue is a high priority, we believe a stronger bill is essential to protect our planet against the onset of climate change, sea-level rise and related-weather events. The bill now heads to the Senate where there will be opportunities to strengthen it. Global Green is calling on the Senate to add:
- A stronger target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bill passed by the House, has a short term target reducing emissions by only 4%. To adequately tackle the challenge of global warming, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020.
- A requirement to direct the federal government to allocate a portion of any revenue stream created by the legislation to low-income communities in America. Those that are least able to afford to adapt or mitigate the impacts of climate change will suffer the greatest.
- A provision that keeps coastal wetlands in Louisiana from being overwhelmed by the sea-level rise and stronger storms that are linked to climate change. These wetlands are the heart of the country's seafood industry, providing jobs and high quality seafood for the nation and the world. In addition, the wetlands are the buffer needed to slow storm surges and slow the rapid pace of coastal erosion.
Call your Senator and urge them to strengthen the bill!
Santa Monica Solar Ordinance - Could Discourage Installations
In June 2009, the Santa Monica City Council voted 4-1 to require solar panels to be installed in the "least visible" position from the street – a surprising backwards step for a city that was the first in the nation to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The City of Santa Monica has traditionally been at the forefront of sustainable energy initiatives, as the first city in the country to purchase green power. The City's current goal is to have 25% of its electric power come from renewable energy sources by 2010.
The ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code 9.04.10.02.220 -- Solar Energy Design Standards -- establishes subjective design standards. Specifically, sub-section (e) imposes improper requirements mandating that “solar collector panels, their necessary support structure, and conduit, shall be installed in the location that is the least visible from abutting streets directly facing the subject property.”
Global Green USA gathered hundreds of petition signatures in just a couple of weeks, as well as garnering the support of dozen's of local businesses, and plans to appeal the Council’s decision.
AB 212 - The Residential Buildings Zero Net Energy Bill
On April 13, 2009, the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed AB 212, the Residential Buildings Zero Net Energy Bill. The bill, sponsored by Global Green USA and authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D- San Diego) will require all new residential buildings to be net zero energy beginning in the year 2020.
“Energy use in buildings is the largest single global warming pollution source in the United States - accounting for 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions nationally,” said Global Green policy director Mary Luevano. “Urgent action is needed to address the climate crisis and AB 212 is a huge step in the right direction.”
The term “zero net energy building” describes a building that implements both energy efficient design features and clean on-site energy or near-site generation that combine to result in no net gas or electricity purchases annually. “The state is committed to reducing greenhouse gases from fossil fuel power generation,” Saldaña said. “Incorporating energy saving technology and on-site or near-site renewable power generation like solar into new residential construction will make a significant contribution to the achievement of those objectives.” Net zero buildings also significantly lower utility costs for residents. Lower energy consumption means less stress on the power grid, reducing the vulnerability to the rolling blackouts Californians experienced in 2000.
Unfortunately, AB 212 did not make it out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee because of the state's budget issues.
"Greening the Tax Credits" Campaign
Global Green's "Greening the Tax Credits" Campaign has spent the last year working with key stakeholders in New York State and NY City to encourage the adoption of green building criteria in the low income housing tax credit programs. In New York State Global Green evaluated the regional concerns and met with state level affordable housing and environmental advocates to gather information and input on the best approach.
Ultimately, New York state adopted a final Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) in Spring 2008 that was admirable in its attempt to incorporate green building elements, but can still be improved. For New York City, which receives one-third of the state of New York's low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) allocation, Global Green has made recommendations for greening the 2009 QAP. Global Green has also provided the City with a set of Developer Fact Sheets -- one page informational sheets that outline specific green building issues, products and practices along with cost estimates. Global Green will continue to advocate to Mayor Bloomberg and the City’s Housing and Preservation Department for adoption of the most robust set of green building criteria possible.
AB 2021 - Nation's Largest Public Utility DWP Sets Aggresive Energy Efficiency Targets
Assembly Bill 2021 of 2006 (AB 2021) requires publicly-owned California utilities to set 10 year energy saving targets to capture all cost-effective savings. In June 2007, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT), Coalition for Clean Air, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and Global Green USA worked with the L.A. Department of Water & Power (DWP)—the largest municipal utility in the country—to reach the goals of AB 2021. The result of this effort was a commitment for an unprecedented energy efficiency investment. The utility aggressively budgeted $77.2 million for the current fiscal year, and expects to reap 275 Giga Watt Hours in energy savings. This is projected to cover DWP’s entire growth load through conservation.
$100 Million Secured for Green Schools
Global Green worked successfully to secure $100 million for green schools in the 2006 education bond. We have since continued to be a key advocate for the adoption of a comprehensive approach to green schools (using the Collaborative for High Performance Schools or “CHPS” as the standard) as the regulatory agencies moved through the bond implementation process. The State Allocation Board approved the high-performance schools program in August 2007.
Solar Solutions for Low Income Communities
Global Green has been working at the local, state, federal and international levels to promote greater use of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies with the ultimate goal of creating a market transformation that favors renewable energy resources. Our immediate focus has been on lowering the cost of solar PV to make it cost competitive with conventional energy technologies and promoting Los Angeles and other municipalities as Solar Cities.
In 2006 Global Green waged a multi-pronged campaign to ensure that the $3.2 billion California Solar Initiative (CSI) included reasonable incentives for affordable housing developments. Assembly Bill 2723, authored by former Assembly member Fran Pavley, was the culmination of a three-year long effort by Global Green to ensure equity and access to solar for all Californians and was signed on September 30, 2006 by Governor Schwarzenegger. Following the signing of the bill, Global Green successfully advocated for the inclusion of low income/affordable housing provisions in the parallel CSI regulatory process at both the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission.
Publications
ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CLEAN POWER AND THE SMART GRID
Our report highlights the need for integrated strategies in reducing energy use, increased distributed renewable energy generation, and a more intelligent electrical grid and explores the role of the “smart grid” in developing a more sustainable, energy efficient future.
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Global Solar Report Card
The Global Solar Report Card by Global Green USA and Green Cross International outlines successes and failures in 16 countries’ (and the state of California’s) efforts in designing promising policy frameworks for sustained solar development. It finds all countries still in the early phases of solar deployment. The ranking is based on a 100-point system that allocates points for the amount of solar installed so far, as well as for drivers of future growth, including financial and regulatory incentives, and educational and advocacy efforts.
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