2 Within the building technologies program, additional funding is provided to DOE to accelerate the lighting and appliance efficiency standards program in order to encourage the deployment of more energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Because future standards are not specified, the potential impact is analyzed by evaluating the impacts of proposed standards in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy study Approaching the Kyoto Targets: Five Key Strategies for the U.S. In 2010, it is projected by EIA that total energy consumption would be reduced by 143.9 trillion Btu, or 0.13 percent, and total carbon emissions by 5.4 million metric tons, or 0.30 percent. If you would like additional information, please contact Mary Hutzler, Director, Office of Sincerely, Jn 5. Heles Jay E. Hakes Energy Information Administration Enclosure Executive Summary Last year Congress requested key information on EPA's Climate Change Technology Initiative (CCTI). Last June, during markup in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies, Senator Craig offered, and the Committee accepted, an amendment directing EPA to: *provide the Committee with a detailed plan for implementing the President's proposal, which would include an annual performance goal for the reduction of greenhouse gases that has objective quantifiable, and measurable target levels... The Agency shall submit this plan to the Committee by December 31, 1998." This language was modified by a colloquy between Senators Byrd and Bond. Senator Bond agreed that EPA could submit the report with the submission of its FY2000 budget and that the provision is only meant to ask for. *a more comprehensive explanation by the EPA of its energy and environment programs, justifications for funding increases, and a clear definition of how these programs are justified by the EPA's goals and objectives independent of the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol." This report addresses the request of the Appropriations Committee as it relates to EPA's climate change activities. The report provides the following information: • Overview of EPA climate change programs, • Key accomplishments, performance measures and program effectiveness, • Program goals and objectives, ⚫ Justification of funding increase, • Detailed program descriptions. Overview of EPA Climate Change Programs The core of EPA's climate change efforts are government/industry partnership programs designed to overcome barriers in the marketplace that limit investments by consumers, businesses and other organizations in more efficient or clean technologies. Energy-efficient technologies provide a sizable opportunity to limit emissions of greenhouse gases while simultaneously improving local air quality, saving money for consumers and businesses and enhancing overall economic productivity. However, to capitalize on this opportunity, the U.S. needs to overcome market failures that have directed the country along a less-than-optimal energy-efficiency path to date. EPA's programs seek to unleash more of the potential of energy-efficient technologies to enhance environmental protection. Numerous studies document the potential for greater investment in energy-efficient technologies to save money and cost-effectively limit emissions of greenhouse gases. Despite their financial attractiveness, many of these technologies have not penetrated into the market as far as their financial returns would indicate. There is clear evidence that this potential is not being realized in the current market system because of a number of informational, institutional, organizational, and other barriers that work against the diffusion of existing, energy-efficient technologies and the development of advanced technologies. Information about these technologies needs to flow quickly through the marketplace and there are a variety of split incentives (i.e. buyer is not the builder or tenant is not the owner) that need to be effectively addressed. Programs like EPA's ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green Lights Partnership, the ENERGY STAR Labeling Program and the ENERGY STAR Homes Program are working with industry to overcome these market failures. Removing the barriers to the diffusion of efficient products produces a substantial ripple effect that further increases the potential for energy-efficient technologies. First, overcoming barriers to diffusion of today's technologies improves the manufacturers' incentives to invest in R&D needed for the next generation of technologies. This leads to new technologies that expand the potential for future energy savings. Second, as sales and production experience increases for efficient technologies, costs of production generally fall, reducing the cost of the technology to the end-user. This "learning by doing" increases the cost-effectiveness of energy-efficient technologies and expands the potential for greenhouse gas reductions. Under CCTI, EPA manages a number of technology deployment (or market transformation) efforts to remove barriers in the marketplace and deploy technology faster in the residential, commercial, transportation, and industrial sectors of the economy. EPA programs do not provide financial subsidies. Instead, they provide information to remove real barriers inhibiting attractive technology investments. EPA programs also build capacity in state and local governments and developing countries to enable them to take advantage of cost-effective opportunities for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases while simultaneously contributing to other air pollution goals and improving quality of life. Examples of Current Programs Overcoming Barriers Lack of Reliable Information. The Energy Star Consumer Labeling Program allows Low Incentive to Manufacturers for Efficiency R&D. Through the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), the U.S. has joined with U.S.-based auto manufacturers to develop new automotive technologies, with the goal of tripling the fuel efficiency of passenger cars. Lack of Corporate Data. Due to the low cost of fuel, many companies don't even know how much energy they use in a year, let alone have a comprehensive view of the actions underway to reduce energy use and emissions. The Climate Wise program, in addition to providing information on industrial energy efficiency opportunities, has now developed a revolutionary new software tool that allows companies to track and report corporate energy use and emissions data, and to monitor and share information on successful reduction strategies across the corporation. |