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DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee Meets Dec. 4 To Review Draft Recommendations For Climate Plan Update

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on December 4 to review the draft 2018 PA Climate Action Plan and recommendations as well as an updated Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

Draft Plan recommendations will, for the first time, include overall greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of a 26 percent reduction in net emissions by 2025 from 2005 levels and an 80 percent net reduction by 2050 to gauge the results of the recommended strategies..

The targets are in line with the goals established in the goal established by the 2015 U.N. Paris Climate Agreement.

Also included are over 100 recommended actions, in addition to citizen and business actions, that would help the Commonwealth reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fifteen actions under 7 general strategy categories were selected as the most cost-effective with the biggest greenhouse gas reductions--

-- Increase end use energy conservation and efficiency--

-- Update building codes

-- Increase adoption of energy efficiency and expand Act 129

-- Create an Act 129-like efficiency program for natural gas

-- Expand energy assessments and provide training on energy efficiency

-- Implement sustainable transportation planning and practices--

-- Reduce vehicle miles traveled for single-occupancy vehicles

-- Implement a strategic plan and incentives for increasing electric vehicle use

-- Increase the use of clean public transportation through electric municipal bus fleets

-- Increase use of clean, distributed electricity generation resources--

-- Invest in and promote building-scale solar

-- Incentivize and increase use of combined heat and power (CHP)

-- Create a diverse portfolio of clean, utility-scale electricity generation--

-- Increase Alternative Portfolios Energy Standard (AEPS) Tier 1 targets, further increase in-state generation, use of renewables

-- Implement policy to maintain nuclear generation at current levels

-- Limit carbon emissions through an electricity sector cap and trade program

-- Reduce upstream impacts of fossil fuel energy production--

-- Implement policies and practices to reduce methane emissions across oil and natural gas systems

-- Increase production and use of alternative fuels--

-- Increase recovery and use of gas from coal mines, agriculture, wastewater, and landfills for energy

-- Use agricultural best practices---

-- Implement and provide training for no-till farming practices.

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building starting at 10:00.

For more information and available handouts and presentations, visit DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee webpage. Questions should be directed to Lindsay Byron, DEP, by calling 717-772-8951 or sending email to: lbyron@pa.gov.

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