Global Climate Change Policy Resource Center

Climate policies are currently debated at international, national, regional and state levels. Electric utility executives need to understand the implications of various policy scenarios to their business and need to understand options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. EPRI’s global climate policy research provides members and public- and private-sector decision makers with analysis and information on potential costs and benefits of domestic and international climate policy proposals. The research also identifies potential options and corporate strategies for complying with GHG emission reduction requirements.

EPRI’s climate research is comprised of two programs:

Research Highlights

New EPRI Report Published on the Key Role of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offsets in a U.S. Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-trade Program

This EPRI report considers the specific greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements that the electric sector and other sectors covered under a U.S. cap-and-trade bill may face, and the role that emissions offsets could play in helping to meet these requirements cost-effectively.

EPRI Report 1019910

2009 EPRI Prism-MERGE Update
Analysis for Technology Options and Electricity Costs in a Low Carbon Future

Kicking off EPRI’s 2009 Summer Seminar “Creating Our Future,” EPRI President and CEO Steve Specker presented the updated Prism and MERGE analysis showing how a full portfolio of electricity sector technologies could address the dual challenge of meeting demand growth and CO2 emissions constraints, while limiting electricity cost increases.

EPRI Continues GHG Offset Policy Dialogue Offset Project Approval and Credit Issuance Processes

Representatives from the policymaking, environmental, industrial, financial, and research communities gathered in Washington, DC for EPRI’s latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets workshop. The 8th workshop explored the offset project approval and credit issuance processes of many of the existing “voluntary” offsets programs in the United States and “compliance” offset programs that operate internationally. For more information, contact Adam Diamant, (510) 260-9105, adiamant@epri.com.

EPRI Analyzes Transition Scenarios for Achieving Climate Stabilization
Energy Modeling Forum Focuses on Feasibility of Global GHG Reduction Targets

EPRI assessed the feasibility of reaching global targets for GHG reductions examining transition scenarios defined by the Energy Modeling Forum (EMF) 22 study. Key findings showed that full global participation is necessary to achieve long-term climate goals, certain aggressive goals are unattainable when developing countries delay participation and the current global recession affects near-term economic growth but does not alter long-term climate results. The analysis also compared international results with U.S. scenarios designed to represent current domestic proposals. Useful insights were gained on the treatment of non-CO2 gases and the role of banking and borrowing. Results were presented to policymakers at an EMF briefing in Washington, DC. A paper titled “Feasible climate targets: The roles of economic growth, coalition development and expectations” was submitted to Energy Economics (Article in Press, doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2009.06.003). For more information, contact Geoff Blanford, (650) 855-2126, gblanford@epri.com or Richard Richels, (202) 293-7510, rrichels@epri.com.