The "Real Story" on the Bush Administrations Policies and Measures Regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In preparation for the Major Economies Meeting, the Bush administration distributed a matrix to invited countries, to assist them in documenting their national and international efforts on climate change. The U.S. government circulated a draft documenting activities in the U.S., trying to give the impression that the U.S. is taking meaningful action on climate change.

A number of environmental organizations have analyzed the claims in the U.S. matrix. Their analysis can be found in the shaded right hand column, to help reporters understand the real story behind the administration's claims.

Groups contributing to this effort include:

• American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
• Climate Solutions
• Greenpeace
• National Environmental Trust
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Union of Concerned Scientists
• U.S. Climate Action Network

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DRAFT - POLICIES AND MEASURES MATRIX
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Summary of Major Policy Goals

National, State, Local Goals
Description	Status	THE REAL STORY:
National Greenhouse Gas Intensity: • Reduce national greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 18% by 2012 as compared to 2002	• GHG emissions intensity declined 6.14% from 2002-2005 with 9.5% GDP growth • GHG intensity declined 2.21% in 2005 with 3.1% GDP growth • Energy-related CO2 intensity declined 4.25% in 2006 with 3.1% GDP growth	• That means total US GHG emissions kept growing* from 2002-2005 by 3.4%* • That means total US GHG emissions grew* in 2005 by 1.9%* • By 2012, CO2 emissions in the US will increase 26% from 2002 levels -- 1.5 times faster than emissions rose during the 1990s • According to the Energy Information Agency, the 2006 decline (only the 4th since 1949) was due primarily to mild weather. Lower natural gas prices and high gasoline prices also contributed. See here.
National Alternative Fuels: • Mandate 7.5 billion gallons annual use of renewable fuel by 2012 • Mandate replacement of 15% of projected annual gasoline use in 2017 with 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels	• 6 billion gallons used as of early 2007 • Legislation proposed; regulations under development	• EPA, required by President to work with DOE and USDA, almost certainly will propose a smaller-than-35 billion gallon increase in renewable fuels. • The EPA rules may allow a big increase in "alternative" fuels – read, coal-to-liquids – which have much higher CO2 emissions than renewable fuels, or even than conventional gasoline. • EPA may omit robust safeguards that would ensure that the large increase in biofuels production does not cause loss of critical wildlife habitat, natural forests and grasslands, the large-scale degradation of water quality, and negative impacts on human health. • From 2004-2005, the administration signed into law more than $95 billion worth of subsidies to benefit fossil fuel producers and users
National Vehicle Efficiency: • 15% Increase in light trucks fuel efficiency through 2011 • Displace 5% of projected annual gasoline use in 2017 (up to 8.5 billions gallons)	• Two final regulations completed • Legislation and registration underway	• Administration undertook current initiative only after losing Supreme Court decision that CO2 is in fact an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. • President has required EPA to work with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which coddles auto industry and sets weak standards. • In contrast, California and 14 other states are adopting standards that would cut vehicles' global warming pollution by 30% by 2016. • White House is widely expected to order EPA to block the state standards by denying California a "waiver" California has received more than 50 times in the past.
National Appliance Efficiency: • Mandate 15 Federal appliance efficiency standards	• DOE has set a five-year schedule for setting new standards	• Action forced by Congress after years of backlog and inaction by DOE.
National Land Use • Promote significant new sequestration on farms and in forests	• Portion of $40+ billion in agricultural conservation incentives 2002-2007 • Portion of proposed 50+ billion in agricultural conservation incentives 2008-2013	• Land use programs are not designed with sequestration in mind, and are chronically under-funded.
States: • Reduce GHG emission reductions ranging from 15% below 2005 levels by 2015 to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 in 16 states • 24 states and the District of Columbia require between 4-25% of renewable power generation by [update X year]	• Performance not yet known; programs under development • 24 states and the District of Columbia implementing new renewable portfolio standards covering 50% of electricity sales • A total of 61 GW of renewable energy capacity will be in place by 2020, compared to 24 GW in 2006	• States are leading to fill the federal policy vacuum. • Administration opposed requiring federal, nationwide* renewable portfolio standard* • 25 state renewable standards were passed at state initiatives with little or no support from the administration • The most important state policy – California's global warming standards for new vehicles, being adopted by 14 other states – goes unmentioned in this document. The Bush Administration has made efforts to block those standards (See page 1.)
Cities and Counties: • More than 500 cities reducing GHG 7% below 1990 levels by 2012 • More than 150 cities and counties reducing CO2 by 20 million tons annually	• Performance not yet quantified, programs under development • Performance not yet quantified; programs under development	• Cities and counties are leading to fill the federal policy vacuum. • Cities and counties support mandatory federal legislation that Administration opposes.

NATIONAL LEVEL PROGRAMS

I. CLEANER, LOWER CARBON POWER GENERATION

A. ADVANCED COAL
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Expedite commercialization of advanced technology for coal-based power and industrial applications	Not available (NA)	• $1.65 billion of tax credits (Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct))	•	• $1 billion awarded FY07; remaining $650 million available in FY07 will give preference to projects that capture and store at least 50% percent of CO2 produced	• Tax credits and spending for new coal plants do not require carbon capture and storage and will lead to a new generation of high-emitting plants. • These measures are "binding" only in the sense that tax credits and spending are provided. There are no binding emission limitations.
		• DOE authorized to issue $9 billion in loan guarantees of up to 80% of project costs (EPAct)		• $4 billion in loan guarantee authority currently available all central power generation technologies (e.g., carbon sequestration optimized coal power plants) • $4 billion in loan guarantee authority proposed for central power generation facilities for FY08
Build world's first near-zero emissions plant by 2012	NA	• $1 billion government-industry program (FutureGen)	•	• Final site selection is anticipated in Fall 2007 • FutureGen Alliance has pledged $250 million • $98 million in government funds allocated through FY07		• Futurgen and other demonstration projects are proceeding slowly. A private project, involving BP and SoCal Edison, is proceeding much faster. • What is needed are emission limits that encourage companies to start capturing and storing CO2 now. • No binding emission limitations.
Sequester 2 MMT CO2 Eq. by 2012	NA	• Up to 25 small scale projects and 7 large scale field tests (DOE's Carbon Sequestration Program)	•	• $105 million enacted FY07 • Propose to expedite 4 large scale tests in 2008
B. NUCLEAR
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status		THE REAL STORY
Begin construction on new plants by the end of this decade	NA	• Standby coverage to indemnify against regulatory and litigation delays for first 6 nuclear plants (EPAct) • DOE authorized to issue $9 billion in loan guarantees of up to 80% of project costs (EPAct) (same as above) • Production tax credit (EPAct)	•	• 20+ companies and consortia announced intent to file license applications for up to 30 new reactors • $4 billion in loan guarantee authority currently available all central power generation technologies (e.g., nuclear facilities) • $4 billion in loan guarantee authority proposed for central power generation facilities for FY08		• New nuclear plants incapable of going forward without massive subsidies and regulatory shortcuts. • Even if built, nuclear plants do not guarantee global warming pollution reductions in the absence of an emissions cap.
		• Funds to help private sector obtain licenses for new designs (Nuclear Power 2010 Initiative)	•	• $114 million requested for FY08 • Two preliminary site permits approved by Nuclear Regulatory Commission
C. RENEWABLES
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status		THE REAL STORY
Make renewable energy systems more cost competitive	NA	• Grant leases and easements on the outer continental shelf for activities that produce, transport, or transmit renewable energy (Alternate Energy-Related Uses on the Outer Continental Shelf)	•	• $2.3 million FY01-07 • $3.5 million requested in FY08		• Spending does not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • Administration opposes federal renewable electricity standard. • $8 billion of $9 billion in loan guarantees dedicated to coal and nuclear. All renewable technologies combined plus electric transmission share only $1 billion. • Administration has not supported increases in renewable energy R&D; and has proposed zeroing out some important programs (geothermal, advanced hydropower) and has proposed major cuts to the National Renewable Energy Lab.
	NA	• DOE authorized to issue $9 billion in loan guarantees of up to 80% of project costs (EPAct) (same as above)	•	• $1 billion in loan guarantee authority currently available for all electric transmission facilities or renewable power generation systems technologies • $1 billion in loan guarantee authority proposed for new technologies for electric transmission facilities or renewable power generation systems for FY08
	NA	• Production tax credit (Renewable Electricity Production Credit)	•	• [update - $X million produced from X-Y years]
	NA	• Tax credits for solar electric and solar water heating (EPAct) and for fuel cells (Federal Hot Water and Photovoltaic Tax Credit)	•	• [update - $X million produced from X-Y years]
	NA	• Payments to renewable energy generators that do not qualify for tax credits (e.g., publicly-owned utilities) (Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI))		• [update - $X million produced from X-Y years]
	• [update XX MMT CO2 Eq.]	• Loan guarantees and grants to farmers and small businesses (USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program)		• $3 million provided in loan guarantees in FY06; expected to provide $165 million in loan guarantees in FY07; $180 million requested in FY08 • $21 million given in grants in FY06; expected to give $11 in grants in FY07; $15 million requested in FY08

II. TRANSPORTATION

A. ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Mandate use of 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel annually by 2012	NA	• Renewable Fuel Standard (EPAct)	•	• 6 billion gallons as of February 2007	• Spending does not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • EPA, required by President to work with DOE and USDA, almost certainly will propose a smaller-than-35 billion gallon increase in renewable fuels. • EPA may omit robust safeguards that would ensure that the large increase in biofuels production does not cause loss of critical wildlife habitat, natural forests and grasslands, the large-scale degradation of water quality, and negative impacts on human health.
	NA	• 30% tax credit for installation of alternative fuel stations (EPAct)	•	• [update - $X million provided for X-Y years]
	NA	• DOE authorized to issue $9 billion in loan guarantees of up to 80% of project costs (EPAct) (same as above)	•	• $4 billion loan volume available for all biofuels and clean transportation fuels technologies • $4 billion in loan guarantee authority proposed for biofuels and clean transportation fuels for FY08
	NA	• Biorefinery Initiative		• $375 million over 5 years (FY08-FY13) for three Bioenergy Research Centers (DOE)
	NA	• Increase demand for and use of renewable fuels such as biodiesel and e85 (SmartWay Grow and Go)		• [update – X participating partners]
Accelerate development of hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen infrastructure technologies, and advanced automotive technologies	NA	• Nearly $1.7 billion over 5 years (FY04-FY08) (Hydrogen Fuel Initiative ($1.2 billion) and the Freedom CAR Partnership ($500 million))		• Significant technological advances have been made (e.g., cutting the cost of fuel cells by more than half and hydrogen production for natural gas by about a quarter) • Three Centers of Excellence established to develop low-pressure storage approaches • $309 million FY08 request for HFI fulfills $1.2 billion commitment
Midterm Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Mandate replacement of about 15% of projected annual gasoline use with up to 35 billion gallons of alternatives by 2017	NA	• Alternative fuel standard legislation • Clean Air Act regulation • Commercial demonstrations of integrated biorefineries (EPAct) • RDD&D of advanced biofuels production	•	• Pending in Congress • Regulations under development	• The EPA rules may allow a big increase in "alternative" fuels – read, coal-to-liquids – which have much higher CO2 emissions than renewable fuels, or even than conventional gasoline. • From 2004-2005, the administration signed into law more than $95 billion worth of subsidies to benefit fossil fuel producers and users
Increase non-petroleum-based fuel consumption in Federal fleet by 10% annually	NA	• Presidential Executive Order 13423 in January 2007	•	• Implementing guidance issued March 2007
Replace 30% of current motor fuel use with alternative fuels by 2030	NA	• Goal established by DOE Biomass Program based on theoretical potential		• Up to $200 million over 5 years (FY07-FY11) to support the development of small-scale cellulosic biorefineries (DOE) • $385 million over 4 years (FY07-FY10) for six full-scale biorefineries (DOE) ; $815 million cost share
B. VEHICLE EFFICIENCY
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Increase efficiency of passenger fleet by boosting fuel economy standards and providing incentives for the purchase of cleaner, more efficient vehicles	• [update XX MMT CO2 Eq.]	• Mandatory fuel economy standards for light trucks increased from 20.7 to 22.2 miles per gallon by 2007	•	• Finalized	• NHTSA set weak emission standards that placed zero value on curbing global warming pollution. A coalition of states and environmental organizations led by California has taken the standards to court. Decision expected soon. • The improvements of the light truck fleet only work out to a .33 mile per gallon improvement per year during the Bush administration -- only saving 14 billion gallons of gasoline by 2020, which is the equivalent of 16 days of US oil consumption
	• [update XX MMT CO2 Eq.]	• New round of fuel economy standards for light trucks increased to 24 miles per gallon for model year 2011	•	• Finalized
	NA	• Tax credits of up to $3,400 per vehicle (hybrid and clean diesel vehicles) (EPAct)	•	• [update - $X allocated through FY07]	• Tax credits and voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • Tax credits have already expired for one manufacturer (Toyota) and are capped for others. • Ultra low sulfur diesel rule undertaken for health reasons to curb fine particle emissions
	NA	• Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Rule	•	• Rule finalized and implemented in 2007
Increase efficiency of commercial fleet	• Up to 66 MMT CO2 Eq. per year	• Public-private partnership that spurs fuel-efficient technologies and best practices (EPA SmartWay)		• 600 companies participate
Midterm Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Displace up to 5% of projected annual gasoline use in 2017 and produce up to 8.5 billion gallons in annual fuel savings within 10 years	NA	• New corporate average fuel economy legislation • New fuel economy regulations	•	• Legislation pending • Regulatory development underway	• See analysis of Administration plans for vehicle emissions standard (p. 1). • The Administration has opposed this legislation • The renewable fuels standard does not contain any global warming reduction requirement. • The President's 20 in 10 program proposal includes liquid coal and tar sands, fuels that emit more greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline.
Reduce petroleum use in Federal fleets by 20% by 2015 compared to 2005 levels	NA	• Goal established by EO 13423 in January 2007	•	• Implementing guidance issued March 2007

III. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Increase energy efficiency economy-wide	NA	• Help states use existing and new energy policies to promote energy efficiency and use of clean energy sources (EPA's State Clean Energy-Environment Partnership)		• 15 states participate, accounting for about half of the U.S. population and energy consumption • [update – efficiency related results]	• Voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • The Administration proposed a Fiscal Year 2008 budget for energy efficiency programs that was 18 percent less than what Congress appropriated for energy efficiency programs in Fiscal Year 2006 • Voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • The Department of Energy and the White House's Office of Management and Budget has targeted this program for elimination through requests for drastic budget cuts. • Overall funding for Industrial Technologies has been slashed from $106 million in FY02 to $57 million in FY07 to $46 million in the FY08 request. • General support for Rural Electric Cooperatives have been heavily criticized (and sued by EarthJustice) for supporting coal plants.
	• 2.9 MMT CO2 Eq. annually	• Technical assistance for the private sector to promote Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects (EPA's CHP Partnership)		• Over 200 partners; through 2006, 250 projects representing 3,577 megawatts of new CHP capacity • [update – numbers to date]
	• Potential for 3.3 MMT CO2 Eq. annually; 19.8 MMT CO2 Eq. in 2012	• Public-private partnership with energy-intensive industrial plants (DOE's Industrial Technologies Program through Save Energy Now)		• Conducted 200 energy savings assessments through March 2007 • 250 further assessments planned for 2007
	NA	• Loan assistance for consumers in rural areas (Rural Development Utilities Programs)		• [update – $X allocated in FY07]
Promote energy-efficient products	NA	• 15 new appliance efficiency mandates for appliances and equipment (EPAct)	•	• DOE has set a five-year schedule for setting new standards	• Action forced by Congress after years of backlog and inaction by DOE. • This EO was issued in 2001 and is solely for the federal government, although compliance has been very poor.
	NA	• Federal requirement to reduce standby power use in electronic products (i.e., "vampire EO") (EO 13221)	•	• [update]
	NA	• Provide energy efficiency resources and guidance (ENERGY STAR partnerships)		• [update – number of partners]	• The administration has cut funding from $50.5 million in FY02 to $45.7 million in FY07 to $43.9 million in the FY08 request • Voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap.
Midterm Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Improve energy efficiency of Federal Government by 30% by 2015 relative to 2003	NA	• Goal established by EO 13423 in January 2007	•	• DOE has set goal to reduce energy intensity across the nationwide DOE complex by 30%	• In actuality, this goal was only increased from 2% annual reduction to a 3% annual reduction • Voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap.
	NA	• Use Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC)	•	• August 2007 Memorandum on substantially increasing Federal use of ESPC • Over 440 projects; $2.0 billion awarded FY98-06 • $5.8 billion in energy cost savings FY00-06

IV. LAND USE

A. AGRICULTURE
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Biological sequestration through conservation	NA	• [update portion of $X billion] for subsidies to private landowners 2002-2007 (USDA) • Portion of $50+ billion for agricultural conservation (2008-2013)		• FY07, farm bill conservation program spending was about $4.4 billion • [update – Conservation spending from 2002 Farm Bill through FY07] • [update – $X requested for FY08 – legislation pending]	• Only a very small amount of the $50 billion has been reserved for conservation efforts, which are not specifically designed with sequestration in mind.
	• [update XX MMT CO2 Eq. avoided]	• Assistance to farmers for specific technologies and conservation practices (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)		• 98 million acres of land covered • $5.36 billion allocated on 2002-2007 Farm Bill
	• 48.7 MMT CO2 Eq. sequestered in 2006	• Incentives for farmers to remove environmentally sensitive lands from production and promote vegetation that sequesters carbon (Conservation Reserve Program)		• 36.8 million acres enrolled • [update - $X since FY02; $X in FY07]
	• Several million tons of carbon sequestered	• Financial and technical assistance (Conservation Security Program)		• Over 22.4 million acres applied to improve soil carbon levels since 2004 • [update - $X since FY02; $ in FY07]
B. FORESTRY
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Use woody biomass to reduce GHG emissions	NA	• Removal and use of woody biomass covering some 500 million acres (DOI's Woody Biomass Utilization Acquisition Regulation)		• [update]
Use woody biomass to reduce GHG emissions	NA	• National Fire Plan & 10-Year Strategy Implementation Plan		• Revised and updated
Sequestration through reduction of wildfire risk and restoration of fire-adapted ecosystems	NA	• Programs that reduce hazardous fuels (National Fire Plan & 10-Year Strategy Implementation Plan, Healthy Forests Initiative, and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act)		• Over 20 million acres treated from 2001-2007	• This program was initiated specifically to reduce wildfires to boost logging efforts and is not intended as a sequestration effort. • This number is inflated by double and triple counting -- it takes several steps to treat any given acre but the program counts each treatment as a new acre. Actual acreage treatment could be as little as 1/3 of the number given.
Continue reforesting and accumulating acreage	NA	• Obtain Federal ownership of lands; partners retain carbon credits for reporting purposes (National Refuge System)		• [update – X acres added to date]
Midterm Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Use woody biomass to yield 5% of projected U.S. energy consumption in 2020	NA	• Encourage biomass utilization (Healthy Forests Initiative (HFI) and Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA))		• [update – biomass use up X% to V amount from Y amount in year Z]
	NA	• Funding and assistance to Tribes for renewable energy feasibility studies and project implementation (Bureau of Indian Affairs programs)		• [update]
C. OTHER
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Restoration of Coastal Regions and Wetlands	NA	• Established a federal-state task force to identify projects (Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, & Restoration Act)		• Protected, restored, and enhanced nearly 400,000 acres
Restoration of Coastal Regions and Wetlands	NA	• Produce leases with other Federal agencies and public entities to restore state coastlines (Minerals Management Service, Marine Minerals Program)		• Four projects in Virginia and South Carolina

V. REGIONAL AND LOCAL INITIATIVES

REGIONAL AND LOCAL INITIATIVES
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Reduce CO2 from electricity generators	NA	• Require energy providers to meet a specific portion of electricity demand through renewable energy, using a cap and trade limited to the sector (Renewable Portfolio Standards), ranging from 4-25%	•	• 24 states have implemented, accounting for 80% of energy production	• Administration is claiming credit for measures undertaken by states to fill the federal policy vacuum. • Administration opposes a renewable portfolio standard or mandatory emissions caps at federal level. • Missing from this list are California's vehicle emission standards, being adopted by 14 other states. • Concerns remain about preemption by the federal government and commerce clause challenges
	NA	• Regional CO2 emissions cap and trade program (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI))	•	• NA
	NA	• Require all new long-term commitments for baseload generation be with plants that have emissions no greater than a CCG turbine plant (Baseload Power GHG Performance Standard)	•	• Adopted by California
Improve energy efficiency	NA	• Require energy providers to meet a specific portion of electricity demand through energy efficiency (Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards)	•	• 10 states have implemented
Improve energy efficiency	NA	• Pool resources to invest in energy efficiency projects (Energy Efficiency Public Benefit Funds)	•	• 19 states have implemented
1990 emission levels by 2010	NA	• New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Agreement (NEG-ECP)		• NA
Reduce city emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012	NA	• U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (514 Mayors, representing over 65 million citizens)		• NA
Reduce emissions by 20 MMT CO2 Eq. annually	NA	• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives' Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (Over 150 cities and counties representing more than 50 million people)		• NA	• While in fact the Mayors Agreement stands at 672 Mayors and roughly 75 million people, the Mayors have been clear that their ability to meet their goals depends on strong federal policy.
	NA	• U.S. state emissions inventories and registries (e.g. Midwest GHG Registry and Climate Registry)		• 42 states have completed an emissions inventory; 33 states have completed an emission registry
Midterm Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
10% below 1990 levels by 2020	NA	• New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Agreement (NEG-ECP)		• NA	• Administration is claiming credit for measures undertaken by states to fill the federal policy vacuum. • Administration opposes a renewable portfolio standard or mandatory emissions caps at federal level.

VI. INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

SECTORS GOALS AND MEASURES
Current Objective	Est. GHG Reduction	Policy Measure	Binding	Status	THE REAL STORY
Reduce industrial and commercial emissions	Avoid GHG emissions of about 90 MMT CO2 Eq. by 2012	• Public-private partnership with major industrial sectors (Climate VISION)		• 14 trade associations representing electric power producers; petroleum refiners; automobile, iron and steel, aluminum, chemical, and magnesium manufacturers; forest products producers; and the cement, mining, industrial minerals, lime, and semiconductor industries. have issued letters of intent to meet specific energy efficiency or GHG intensity targets • Partners account for 40% to 45%of total U.S. GHG emissions	• Voluntary programs do not guarantee emission reductions in the absence of an emissions cap. • Many of these initiatives were inherited from the Clinton and first Bush Administrations. • Claimed emission reductions are exaggerated because many of the voluntary actions in these partnerships are actions that would have happened anyway. See here. • The Climate Vision program has disappointed even the industrial participants in it -- the government has not provided the technical support and expended funding to help companies meet the voluntary targets. • The Climate Vision numbers were determined entirely by the industries involved, had no binding targets, and had no monitoring of progress. Further, many of the agreements were simply grandfathered from existing agreements.
	• Over 40 MMT CO2 Eq. per year	• Corporate-wide GHG reduction goals and emission inventories (EPA Climate Leaders)		• 139 partners, representing 8% of U.S. GHG emissions
	NA	• Voluntary programs for reducing methane emissions (EPA Domestic Methane Program)		• U.S. methane emissions in 2005 were 11.5% below 1990 levels
Develop and Strengthen Accounting of Emissions Reductions	NA	• Revised Federal Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emission Registry (1605(b)) – Mandatory for power plants, voluntary for others		• Developed in 1994; revision completed 2007 • 221 reporting entities for 2004 accounted for about 14% of U.S. emissions

VII. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

INTERNATIONAL
Current Objective	Policy Measure	Status	THE REAL STORY
Facilitate investment in clean technologies, goods, and services; accelerate sharing of energy-efficient best practices	• Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate	• Established 8 public/private-sector task forces • Sectoral work plans being implemented; over 100 APP-endorsed work programs underway; $50 million in FY07 • 6 countries	• APP is all process and voluntary commitments and has produced no concrete emission reductions. • Administration failed to convince even the prior Congress to fund APP • The APP lacks concrete goals and benchmarks to this day (NET)
Reduce global methane emissions by advancing the cost-effective, recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source	• Methane to Markets Partnership	• Includes roughly 20 countries; $53 million over 5 years; over $10.4 million in FY07 • Up to 180 MMT CO2 Eq. potential global annual methane emissions reductions by 2015 • 20 countries	• Methane to Markets has delivered some emissions reductions through expenditure of federal funds. A cap on emissions would lead to more methane reductions driven by the private market.
Increase market access for U.S. exports of cleaner energy technologies	• Clean Energy Technology Export Initiative	• Clean Energy Tech Exports Assistance Network webpage established • Supporting projects in the Caribbean and Central America to increase the exports of small and medium-sized renewable technologies	• These voluntary initiatives will not guarantee emission reductions absent an emissions cap.
Develop improved and cost-effective technologies for the separation and capture of CO2 and its transport and long-term safe storage	• Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF)	• 17 CSLF-endorsed projects underway • 21 countries and the European Commission
Foster cooperation in R&D for the next generation of safer, more affordable, and more proliferation-resistant nuclear energy systems	• Generation IV International Forum	• Technology roadmap completed • 10 countries and Euratom; China and Russia have signed charter
Accelerate and expand global market for renewable energy and efficiency technologies	• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership	• U.S. submitted 5 action items to provide specific technology plans and cost targets
	• Global Bioenergy Partnership	• Developing work plans in GHG impacts methodology and best practices • 10 countries, 10 participating organizations
	• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation	• APEC Biofuels Task Force examining biofuels economics and trade, and fuel flexible vehicles and infrastructure • 21 countries	• These voluntary initiatives will not guarantee emission reductions absent an emissions cap.
Work internationally to further cooperation on increased use and production of biofuels, including promoting development of domestic biofuels capacity in Western Hemisphere	• Global Bioenergy Partnership	• Developing work plans in GHG impacts methodology and best practices • 10 countries, 10 participating organizations
	• International Biofuels Forum	• Road map to achieve biofuels standards and codes compatibility by end of 2007 • 5 countries and the European Commission
	• U.S. – Brazil Biofuels Cooperation	• Plans to conduct feasibility studies in third countries
Accelerate development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology	• International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE)	• 13 pre-competitive international projects on hydrogen and fuel cells recognized • Hydrogen technology roadmaps have been developed in India and Brazil • 16 countries and the European Commission
Conserve tropical forests	• Debt relief for eligible countries that generate funds to support local tropical forest conservation activities (Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TCFA))	• 12 agreements with 11 countries thus far will generate over $137 million for conservation • $20 million enacted in FY07
Develop and integrate earth observation systems to provide critical input for understanding climate change	• U.S. initiated international effort to integrate and enhance earth observation systems (Group on Earth Observations)	• Strategic plan for implementing the U.S. components of an Earth Observation System recently released • 71 countries and the European Commission, 46 participating organizations
Develop a more fully closed fuel cycle by developing and deploying technologies that enable recycling and consumption of long-lived radioactive waste	• Global Nuclear Energy Partnership	• Senior officials meeting held in May 2007 • China, France, Japan, Russia and U.S. issue Joint Statement in support of nuclear cooperation
Design and demonstrate a fusion energy production system with a goal of commercialization by mid-century	• ITER	• Site selected • ITER Agreement enters into force late summer/early fall of 2007 • Six countries and the European Union