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Council joins effort to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions

The Metropolitan Council is in the first group of organizations nationwide to join The Climate Registry, a nonprofit collaboration launched in January that is creating standards for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Council is a major user of energy in the form of electricity for its wastewater collection and treatment operations and fuel for the regional bus system. These enterprises also emit greenhouse gases into the air from incineration of wastewater solids, heating buildings, and combustion of gasoline for fleet cars and diesel fuel in buses.

Measurement, reporting standards needed

As industries peer into the future, they see the looming potential for greenhouse gas regulations as part of global efforts to minimize the impacts of climate change. Any regulatory system will require standard measurement and reporting procedures, explained Jason Willett, Finance Director for Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. By joining The Climate Registry, Council representatives can have input as the standards are developed.

“Without common standards, future policy decisions could be misinformed and efforts to reduce emissions not counted,” Willett said.

In addition to having a seat at the table as details of protocols and reporting formats are finalized, the Council may also benefit by:

• Being able to document early actions to voluntarily reduce emissions.
• Gaining access to technical support and software for emissions documentation.
• Demonstrating environmental commitment and therefore being in a better position to attract grant funding.
• Being better prepared for potential emissions trading programs.

“As part of this effort we will be examining our business practices and identifying improvements,” said Tom Thorstenson, Director of Engineering and Construction for Metro Transit.

Documenting six greenhouse gases

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Registry participants will measure and report emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflourocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. All reporting will have to be verified by a Registry-certified third-party contractor.

Participants will report both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Direct emissions include those from onsite combustion, manufacturing and transportation fleets. Emissions associated with electricity and steam consumption are the only indirect emissions required to be reported by the Registry.

Joining with states, tribes and provinces

The Climate Registry includes five Canadian provinces, two Mexican states, three Native American nations or tribes, 39 U.S. states – including Minnesota – and the District of Columbia as members. In addition to the Council, Minnesota organizations joining the Registry as reporters before its official launch in mid-January included Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Great River Energy, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Xcel Energy.

The 55 “founding reporters” will begin submitting their emissions totals to the Registry when its database becomes operational on June 30.

Ongoing commitment to environmental protection

The Council’s action is part of its ongoing commitment to protect the environment, said Council Chair Peter Bell. The Council has set a goal to reduce by 15% the non-renewable fuels used in wastewater operations by 2010. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the Council is researching the potential for growing algae at wastewater treatment plants for use as a biofuel.

The Council has also switched to using soy-diesel fuel in its buses and will purchase 169 hybrid-electric buses for its fleet over the next five years.

“We fully support Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce energy consumption,” Bell said. “Involvement in The Climate Registry is another demonstration of our commitment.”