Air Matters, December 2007

• Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming Continues Work
• Clean Diesels on Our Horizon
• Do a Little... Save a Lot this Winter Season!

Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming Continues Work
By Nick Sayen

Since its formation in April, the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming has been working hard to fulfill its mission to develop recommendations on how Wisconsin can become a leader in climate change solutions by reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining economic growth. The Task Force, made up of representatives from utilities, other businesses, environmental groups, and public officials, has received public comments and is now analyzing data and developing policies that will be the basis for final recommendations to the Governor. The work of the Task Force is expected to be completed in mid 2008.

Six workgroups composed of private-sector and non-profit experts were created to develop policy ideas to reduce GHG emissions. The groups include agriculture and forestry, transportation, industry, electric generation and supply, conservation and energy efficiency, and carbon tax/cap & trade. They are nearly done crafting their ideas into policy templates. Members of the public can view the templates as well as public comments at http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/gtfgw/templates/index.html. These policies and their completion is a significant step in the group’s work.

Consultants have been selected to help with the next difficult step: estimating and modeling GHG emission reductions and the economic costs and benefits of the potential policy recommendations. World Resources Institute is the overall consultant for the Task Force. ICF International is modeling emission and economic impacts. Winrock International is providing technical support to the forestry and agriculture sectors.

A Technical Advisory Group has been screening much of the data that will be used to determine the impacts of potential policies with the goal of using as much Wisconsin-specific data as possible. The result will be a "reference case" that is a computer model estimate of future emissions and economic activity assuming no new climate change policies are adopted. Potential effects of GHG reduction policies will be compared to the reference case, making its finalization very important.

Please visit the Task Force Web site for information about upcoming meetings and additional public input sessions and to follow progress in the development of the Task Force’s final recommendations. The public is invited to submit comments on a continuing basis via email to DNRGLOBALWARMTFCOMMENTS@Wisconsin.gov.

Sayen is a Department of Natural Resources Program Specialist and works on the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force.

Clean Diesels on Our Horizon
By Jessica Lawent

Wisconsin, represented by co-chairs from the Department of Natural Resources and Cummins NPower, has been a participant on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI) [exit DNR]. Using tactics and resources from the larger MCDI group, the Wisconsin co-chairs established the new Wisconsin Diesel Workgroup to create momentum and gain local support in Wisconsin's diesel arena.

MCDI is set on reducing emissions from one million engines, or 10 percent of the national total, by 2010. If the Wisconsin Diesel Workgroup were to set a similar goal and impact at least 10 percent of our state’s diesel engines, we would already be more than half-way there, having reduced emissions from over 30,000 diesel engines. We have come this far because fleets are undertaking activities such as installing aftermarket treatment technologies, implementing idling restrictions at their facilities, training drivers to reduce idling, and using blends of biodiesel fuel. Some fleets received state or federal assistance for their activities while others were able to absorb the costs themselves.

The new diesel workgroup intends to expand the success of these efforts by performing outreach to all types of diesel fleets to educate and assist them in undertaking reduction activities, and seeking and developing funding mechanisms for diesel emission reduction activities. Current workgroup members include government agencies such as USEPA, and the Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Commerce, fleet associations and fleet representatives from the trucking, transit, school bus, and municipal industries, and engine and aftermarket treatment manufacturers. The workgroup convenes approximately every six weeks and hopes to create technical subcommittees with representation from the targeted fleet sectors, legislators and others that can move efforts forward.

For further information, or if you operate a diesel fleet or programs for diesel fleets and are interested in participating in the workgroup or future subcommittees, please contact Jessica Lawent, WDNR, at 414-263-8653, email jessica.lawent@wisconsin.gov.

Lawent is an Air Management Transportation Specialist in DNR’s Southeast Region Air Program.

Do a Little... Save a Lot this Winter Season!
By Elisabeth E. Olson

Our daily use of electricity and fuel contributes to air pollution. That means the choices we make every day can directly affect air quality and our health. Just because the outside temperatures are dropping, it does not mean that your energy bills have to rise proportionately. Each year the average family spends $1,900 on energy bills. By making either a few energy saving home improvements or eco-friendly everyday decisions, the average American can stay warm, reduce emissions, save money and protect their health. To learn about ten simple ways to improve air quality and save energy this winter season visit the Web page, Do A Little, Save a Lot.

Olson is an air quality educator in the DNR Bureau of Education and Information, located in Madison.

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