EPA's Region 6 Office
Serving: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations
Clean Energy and Climate Change
The Environmental Protection Agency will be faced with a challenge unprecedented since the beginning of our Agency in 1970, in addressing clean energy and global climate change. EPA Region 6 is committed to meet these challenges and position itself as a leader in addressing climate change factors. As Congress works to address legislation that may form the backbone of a future regulatory structure, we will work to lay the groundwork for that effort and use our position as a regional environmental leader to promote innovative approaches to clean energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. Here you can find basic information about climate change, how it is predicted to affect the EPA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas) States, and what you can do to help. |
EPA's National Climate Change Efforts
Denial of Petitions for Reconsideration of the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act
"EPA determined in December 2009 that climate change caused by emissions of greenhouse gases threatens the public's health and the environment. Since then, EPA received ten petitions challenging this determination. On July 29, 2010, after months of serious consideration of the petitions and of the state of climate change science, EPA found no evidence to support these claims, and has denied these petitions."
You can visit EPA's national climate change web page, where you can learn about the science behind climate change, the types of greenhouse gas emissions and our efforts to inventory them, how climate change affects our health and environment, EPA's national efforts to address climate change, U.S. climate change policy, what you can do to address climate change, and other topics.
EPA recently issued a report which looks at 24 key indicators that show how climate change impacts the health and environment of Americans. Some of these indicators include, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, rising average temperatures, increasing tropical cyclone intensity, rising sea levels, and increasing frequency of heat waves.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
The USGCRP coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and their implications for society. During the past two decades, the United States, through the USGCRP, has made the world's largest scientific investment in the areas of climate change and global change research. Recently, the USGCRP developed a Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators, which provides a dynamic list of the top resources developed and recommended by the partner agencies. See the YouTube video on climate change science and impacts on wildlife and their habitat in U.S., which can be used in classrooms as an introduction to the topic or in Visitor Centers and in informal educational settings.
EPA OSWER report on reducing GHG from material management and land use
EPA has published a report that finds significant potential to reduce the country’s GHG emissions through materials management (e.g. recycling and waste prevention), and land management (e.g. brownfield redevelopment, land restoration, and smart growth). This document offers a new perspective on opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
New EPA Web Site Provides Tools to Cut Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Homes
Home owners, buyers and renters have a new resource for going green indoors and outdoors. EPA’s new Green Homes Web site will help people make their homes greener with tips on reducing energy consumption, carbon footprints, waste generation and water usage, as well as improving indoor air quality. The latest federal survey of American housing (2007) reported 128 million housing units across the U.S., accounting for nearly 54 percent of national energy use and nearly 31 percent of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, the most common greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. The Green Homes Web site provides guidance on approaches to greening each room of the home as well as the surrounding yard.
EPA Watershed Academy Posts New Online Module: "The Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources and Programs"
A new online module entitled "The Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources and Programs" has been published by the EPA Watershed Academy. The goal of this module is to educate water program managers, as well as the general public, on the expected effects of climate change on water resources and water programs. This knowledge will help managers prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Regulatory Developments
- EPA proposes the Geologic Sequestration Rule
- EPA finalizes the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
- EPA makes the GHG Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Finding
- EPA proposes the Renewable Fuels Standard
- EPA grants California Waiver for GHG Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles
- EPA proposes Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards and CAFE Standards
- EPA proposes the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule
- EPA requests comment on reconsideration of GHG permitting guidance (the 12/18/08 Johnson CO2 memo)
- President Obama signs an Executive Order Focused on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
- President Obama issues memorandum on Comprehensive Federal Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
In response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA 2009) and the unprecedented opportunities it provides for local, tribal and state governments to reduce energy, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and create jobs through EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program has issued the following two documents:
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Opportunities for Local and Tribal Governments provides a summary of key funding opportunities - http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/local_guide_to_arra.pdf
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: State and Local Guide to U.S. EPA Climate and Energy Program Resources highlights some EPA programs that can be used to develop clean energy (energy efficiency, renewable energy, combined heat and power) initiatives using funds from the ARRA 2009 - http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/documents/slb_guide_to_program_resources.pdf
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed numerous resources over the years that can assist state and local governments as they work to ramp up existing clean energy programs and create new ones. For more information, please visit www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/stateandlocal/. EPA also has information that will help your community take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This includes webcasts on using EPA Resources to maximize clean energy in economic recovery spending, and EPA and DOE's Rapid Deployment Energy Efficiency (RDEE) toolkit which provides detailed program design and implementation guides for five to ten broadly applicable energy efficiency programs that have extensive, proven field experience with documentation on program design, program costs, and results. For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/recovery.html
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants: Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Native American tribes. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.
The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others. To learn more, go to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Web site. A detailed breakdown of the funding by state, county, city and tribal government is available on http://www.energy.gov/recovery/.
The impacts of climate change, including changes in temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather have already begun to appear. These and other climate change impacts are summarized for the EPA Region 6 area, along with adaptation challenges.
What is EPA Region 6 Doing to Address Climate Change?
EPA’s national programs provide the basic direction, regulatory structure, and account for the bulk of greenhouse gas emission reductions. However, regional efforts can sometimes work more closely with our State, local, and Tribal partners and help tailor EPA’s programs to their needs.
- Region 6 Clean Energy and Climate Change Strategy
- State – EPA Region 6 Clean Energy and Climate Change Summit
- Our Partnership Programs
- Our Efforts in Land Based Programs (coming soon)
- Leading by Example (Environmental Management System - EMS)
- Take the Eco-Challenge
- Our Efforts in Water Based Programs
- EPA Region 6 has recently compiled a database of mitigation and adaptation climate change projects. You can view an interactive map of those projects within our five state area
What are Some of our State Partners are Doing to Address Clean Energy and Climate Change?
The Arkansas Governor’s Commission on Global Warming
is charged with setting a “global warming pollution reduction goal” for Arkansas and a “comprehensive strategic plan for implementation of the global warming pollution reduction goal.” This Commission will consider, evaluate, and compile a multi-sector set of recommended policy options and present them to the Governor.
The New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group was formed to provide specific, measurable proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico. In response, the State of New Mexico has undertaken many initiatives designed to address climate change. New Mexico also participates in the Western Region Climate Action Initiative.
What are Some of Our Municipal Partners Doing to Address Climate Change?
Many of the cities located within the boundaries of EPA Region 6 have signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Agreement on Climate Change, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The following are a few examples of how our municipal partners are addressing clean energy and climate change.
The Region 6 offices of EPA are located in Dallas Texas and we are proud that Dallas is an acknowledged leader in the areas of clean energy and climate change. In fact, Dallas may be the greenest large city in the U.S. Read all about Green Dallas, including its efforts to address climate change.
The City of Austin, TX has long been known as a leader in the green movement and has implemented a comprehensive climate protection plan. The overarching goal of the Austin Climate Protection Program is to make Austin the leading city in the nation in the fight against climate change.
Recently, the City of Houston, TX was identified by EPA as the nation's No. 1 municipal purchaser of green power. Houston has made great strides in reducing its energy usage and its Green Houston web site offers many practical tips on reducing energy usage.
Recognizing the important link between climate change and the principle of sustainability, The City of Santa Fe, New Mexico is in the process of drafting the Sustainable Santa Fe Plan, which includes extensive elements on energy efficiency, green building, transportation, and other initiatives that address climate change.
The City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of its efforts to address climate change purchases 20% of the power it uses from green power sources, prompting EPA to designate it as a Green Power Partner.
In its Be Green Tulsa initiative, The City of Tulsa has implemented many strategies to reduce its carbon footprint, including membership in Energy Star, Waste-Wise, and Water Sense; implementing a green traveler program, a recycling program; and significant energy conservation measures.
Interested in showcasing your Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Texas City’s efforts to address clean energy or climate change? Contact: Jim Yarbrough at 214-665-7232 or email Jim at yarbrough.james@epa.gov
What are Other EPA Regions Doing to Address Clean Energy and Climate Change?
EPA is divided into ten regional offices. Each EPA Regional Office is responsible for the execution of the Agency's programs within its states. To find out what other EPA regions are doing to address clean energy and climate change, click on a State or Territory below.
What Can You Do to Address Climate Change?
There are a wide range of things we can all do to address climate change in our daily lives, where we work, and in our homes. Learn what you can do to address climate change.Links to External Climate Change Websites
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization and by the United Nations Environment Programme to provide decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change. It is widely viewed as the most scientific and comprehensive assessment of human-induced climate change, its observed and projected impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
Not up for the full IPCC report? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has provided a summary of the IPCC’s findings in a convenient question and answer format.
The Pew Center on Climate Change describes itself as a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization. The Center, which focuses more on policy issues, states its mission is to provide credible information, straight answers, and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change.
NASA has provided a comprehensive listing of climate change links.
The Texas Climate Initiative is a website dedicated to advancing climate change science and education in Texas. It contains a wealth of climate change information, including the an assessment of the effects of climate change on Texas.