PITTSBURGH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSONS INVENTORY A 5 -YEAR BENCHMARK

Transcription

1 A 5 -YEAR BENCHMARK

2 PITTSBURGH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSONS INVENTORY A 5 -YEAR BENCHMARK Report & Inventory Performed by: Miriam Parson Climate Fellow Green Building Alliance & Student Conservation Association Report Edited by: Jenna Cramer Projects & Outreach Manager Green Building Alliance Aurora L. Sharrard Director of Innovation Green Building Alliance Report Peer Reviewed by: Allegheny County Carnegie Mellon University Duquesne University Citizens for Pennsylvania s Future City of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Environmental Council Sustainable Pittsburgh Technical Support Provided by: Jamie O Connell Regional Associate ICLEI Melissa Stults Senior Program Officer ICLEI Acknowledgements Pittsburgh Foundation Surdna Foundation October 2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Copyright 2010, Green Building Alliance Compiled by Green Building Alliance on behalf of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative 1

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS...4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...5 BACKGROUND Baseline Inventory...10 Pittsburgh Climate Initiative...11 ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability...11 Monitor and Verify: 20 Benchmark Inventory...12 METHODS Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Data Inputs Comparison of 2003 and 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions...14 Pittsburgh Municipal Government Inventory Pittsburgh Total Inventory Data Changes between 2003 and 20 Inventories Weather Changes Between 2003 and PITTSBURGH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Pittsburgh Total Emissions Inventory Pittsburgh Municipal Government Emissions Inventory...32 PITTSBURGH 20 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS COMPARED TO 2003 EMISSIONS Pittsburgh Total Emissions Inventory...33 Pittsburgh Municipal Government Emissions Inventory...37 Summary of 20 Versus 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions...40 HOW DOES PITTSBURGH COMPARE NATIONALLY? CITY OF PITTSBURGH ACTIVITES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION ALLEGHENY COUNTY ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS PITTSBURGH CITYWIDE ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS MOVING FORWARD Major Opportunities for Emissions Reductions...55 Future Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Action Plans Pittsburgh Climate Initiative: 2010 and Beyond...57 APPENDIX A: 20 CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS (CAPs) CAPs Emissions Factors...58 CAPs in CAPs Emissions Compared to 2003 Levels...59 APPENDIX B: 20 PITTSBURGH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY DATA CONTACTS

5 ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS BBP BCC Btu CACP CAPs CARB CCAR CCI CO 2 e DEP egrid EPA GHG GWP HECC ICLEI IPCC LEDs LEED LGOP MMBtu NERC PACT PCAP PCI PUC PWES PWSA SEA SPC URA USGBC VMT Bellefield Boiler Plant (Pittsburgh) Business Climate Coalition British Thermal Unit Clean Air & Climate Protection software Criteria Air Pollutant California Air Resources Board California Climate Action Registry Conservation Consultants Inc. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (Pennsylvania) Department of Environmental Protection EPA Electricity Grid, regional categories designated U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Emissions Global Warming Potential (Pittsburgh) Higher Education Climate Consortium ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Light Emitting Diodes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System ICLEI Local Government Operations Protocol, Version Million British Thermal Units North American Energy Reliability Council Pittsburgh Allegheny County Thermal Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0 Pittsburgh Climate Initiative Pennsylvania Utilities Commission Public Works Environmental Services Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Sports and Exhibitions Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh United States Green Building Council Vehicle Miles Traveled 4

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary This 20 Pittsburgh greenhouse gas emissions inventory is a 5-year benchmark measurement that will be used to prioritize emissions reduction work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, published in 2006, determined Pittsburgh s baseline greenhouse gas emissions. The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0, published in 20, established a citywide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% below 2003 levels by the year The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0 was adopted by the City of Pittsburgh as a guiding document in August 20. The Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) is charged with implementing the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan. PCI works collaboratively in the Pittsburgh region to reduce greenhouse gases through measureable actions. This joint effort includes Pittsburgh s City and County governments, businesses, higher education institutions, and citizens. PCI formed its program partnerships in late 20, and PCI s work began in This 20 inventory predates the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative s work, and therefore acts as a second, more comprehensive baseline from which to measure progress in reducing emissions. Total Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 20, Pittsburgh s greenhouse gas emissions totaled 6.79 million tons CO 2 e. Since each type of greenhouse gas has its own global warming potential (gwp), greenhouse gas inventories express emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent, abbreviated CO 2 e. Figure A provides a breakdown of 20 emissions by sector. Figure B itemizes the sources of each sector s greenhouse gas emissions. The largest sources of Pittsburgh s greenhouse gas emissions are commercial buildings, which represent 47% of emissions, and transportation, which accounts for 24% of emissions. Commercial buildings are those designated as commercial meters by the electricity and gas service providers. Transportation includes all vehicle miles traveled on all road types within Pittsburgh city limits. Figure A: 20 Pittsburgh Citywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions (CO 2 e), by Sector 5% 24% 18% Residential Commericial 6% 47% Industrial Transportation Solid Waste 5

7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pittsburgh s 20 greenhouse gas emissions are a 28% increase from adjusted the 2003 emissions levels of 5.30 million tons CO 2 e. As illustrated by Figure C, the reasons for which Pittsburgh s total greenhouse gas emissions increased between 2003 and 20 include: Increased electricity usage; Expanded transportation data to include all road types within Pittsburgh city limits; More accurate natural gas combustion estimates using company-specific usage data and the actual number of natural gas customers; The inclusion of the Bellefield Boiler Plant s commercial coal and natural gas combustion to produce steam in the Oakland area, excluded from 2003 data; The inclusion of kerosene and fuel oil combustion, excluded from 2003 data; The exclusion of sequestration factors while calculating solid waste emissions, thereby treating solid waste as an emitter rather than a sink; Weather differences. Thousand Tons CO 2 e 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Figure B: Adjusted 2003 versus 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions, by Source and Sector Electricity Natural Gas Commercial Coal Gasoline Diesel Fuel Oil & Kerosene Wood / Textile Waste Food Waste Plant Debris Waste 0 Residential 2003 Residential 20 Commercial 2003 Commercial 20 Industrial 2003 Industrial 20 Transportation 2003 Source and Sector Transportation 20 Solid Waste 2003 Solid Waste 20 Paper Waste 6

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Million Tons CO 2 e Figure C: Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2003 to Adjusted Baseline 2003 Adjusted Emissions Inventory 5.0 Population Reduction Weather Differences Increased Electricity Usage Natural Gas Data Transportation Data Commercial Coal Solid Waste Kerosene & Fuel Oil Total 20 Emissions Reasons for Emissions Increase or Decrease Increased consumption & improved accuracy of measurement Newly required emmissions information under 20 LGOP Thus, to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal set in the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0 and adopted by City Council, Pittsburgh must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.55 million tons CO 2 e from 20 levels. These 2.55 million tons CO 2 e are equivalent to reducing the vehicle miles traveled (VMT ) by gasoline vehicles on Pittsburgh roads by approximately 5 billion miles or installing 3.3 billion kwh of renewable energy. Municipal Government Emissions As shown in Figure D, municipal emissions account for 3% of Pittsburgh s total 20 greenhouse gas emissions. Municipal greenhouse gas emissions were 199 thousand tons CO 2 e in 20, a 3.5% increase from adjusted 2003 levels. As illustrated in Figure E, the reasons for which Pittsburgh municipal emissions increased 3.5% between 2003 and 20 include: Increased electricity usage; More complete data on vehicle fleet fuel combustion; Inclusion of all Urban Redevelopment Authority property; Inclusion of City employees commute. 7

9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Figure D: 20 Citywide Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions 3% 97% Municipal Emissions All Other Emissions: Commercial, Residential, Industrial, Transportation & Waste 250,000 Figure E: Pittsburgh Municipal Government Greehouse Gas Emissions 2003 to 20 Tons CO 2 e 200, , , Adjusted Baseline 150, Change LED Traffic Lights Increased Electricity Usage Decreased Natural Gas Usage More Accurate Vehicle Fleet Data Inclusion of all URA Property Inclusion of Employees Commute 20 Municipal Emissions Reasons for Emissions Increase or Decrease 8

10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Thus, to reach its equivalent of the citywide emissions reduction goal, Pittsburgh City operations must reduce emissions by 45,000 tons CO 2 e by To put this number in perspective, these 45,000 tons CO 2 e are equivalent to reducing electricity usage by 60 million kwh per year. Buildings and facilities account for 54% of municipal emissions and drinking water treatment and pumping services account for 25% of municipal emissions. Future Opportunities Based on this inventory s findings, target areas for emissions reductions are commercial buildings energy use, water consumption across all sectors, and municipal buildings electricity use. Improvements to future inventories should include exact natural gas combustion data from distribution companies and diesel combustion data from river and rail traffic, as well as creating a standardized process for gathering data at regular intervals. Considering the growing number of inventories being conducted in our region, it may be useful to create a coalition request from all municipalities at regular intervals to obtain data from utility companies. Benchmarked against other cities, Pittsburgh s commercial sector is a higher proportion of emissions and its transportation sector a smaller proportion of emissions than other U.S. cities profiles (Figure F). Targeting opportunities for energy conservation in Pittsburgh s commercial sector would bring our profile into line with other cities. 25 Figure F: Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Inventories MT eco2 / Capital / Year People Per Acre 5 10 Commercial Residential 0 Durham, NC Kansas City, MO Nashville, TN Pittsburgh, PA Flagstaff, AZ New Orleans, LA Madison, WI Chicago, IL Austin, TX Seattle, WA Bloomington, IN Participating Cities Portland, OR Philadelphia, PA Eugene, OR San Diego, CA Burlington, VT San Francisco, CA Berkeley, CA New York, NY 0 Transportation Population Density In accordance with the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0, all PCI sectors, including City government, have engaged in greenhouse gas emissions mitigation measures since late 20. More detailed progress of PCI and its sectors activities will be reported in an updated version of the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, tentatively scheduled to be published in

11 BACKGROUND Background A brief history of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative is offered below for context Baseline Inventory Pittsburgh s first greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory was based on 2003 data collected in 2006 by Carnegie Mellon University graduate students in partnership with Green Building Alliance, Clean Air-Cool Planet, and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. 1, 2, 3, 4 The 2003 baseline inventory determined Pittsburgh s total 2003 emissions from both municipal and total Pittsburgh activities: 6.6 million tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 e), with municipal government responsible for only 4 percent of total emissions. In 2007 and 20, Pittsburgh s Green Government Task Force utilized this baseline inventory to create the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0 (PCAP). 5 In August 20, Pittsburgh City Council unanimously accepted the PCAP as a guiding document for the City of Pittsburgh. Figure 1: Pittsburgh's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goal 6.6 Million Tons of CO 2 Emissions 5.3 Million Tons of CO 2 Emissions 20% Reduction over 20 Years The PCAP establishes a greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal and a series of short, medium, and long-term recommendations to reduce emissions across municipal operations, the business sector, institutions of higher education, and the broader Pittsburgh residential community. As shown in Figure 1, Pittsburgh s citywide goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent below 2003 levels by Pittsburgh Climate Protection Initiative. (2006). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Heinz School of Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University. December Accessed 1 December Green Building Alliance. (20). Accessed 5 May Clean Air-Cool Planet. (2010). Accessed 5 May ICLEI. (20). ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. Accessed 5 May Pittsburgh Climate Initiative. (20). Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan, Version 1.0. Green Building Alliance and Clean Air- Cool Planet. June Accessed 1 December

12 BACKGROUND Pittsburgh Climate Initative The Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) is charged with guiding implementation of the PCAP. PCI is convened and facilitated by Green Building Alliance, who also spearheads measurement and tracking activities, such as this report. 6 The other PCI Partners are: Government City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and ICLEI are working together to create more sustainable City and County operations. The County is currently working on performing its own greenhouse gas inventory of County government operations. 7 Community Citizens for Pennsylvania s Future works to address community climate activities through The Black and Gold City Goes Green campaign. 8 Business Sustainable Pittsburgh leads the Business Climate Coalition. 9 Higher Education At the request of Pittsburgh s colleges and universities, Green Building Alliance convenes the Higher Education Climate Consortium (HECC), which actively engages all Pittsburgh region colleges and universities to collaborate, share information, and set goals regarding research agenda, education curricula, operations, outreach activities, and commitments that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions so that the organizations comprising HECC align with the City of Pittsburgh s overall greenhouse gas reduction goal. 10 ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability Both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are members of ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability, an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. 11 ICLEI provides expertise and support to local governments that are developing climate action plans and evaluating progress toward reducing emissions. The City of Pittsburgh has been an ICLEI member since 2006, and Allegheny County became a member in Pittsburgh Climate Initiative. Pittsburgh Climate Initiative May Allegheny County. (2010). Allegheny County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report and Climate Action Plan Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Forthcoming. 8 Citizens for Pennsylvania s Future. (2010). The Black and Gold City Goes Green. Accessed 5 May Sustainable Pittsburgh. (2009). Business Climate Coalition. Accessed 1 December Pittsburgh Climate Initiative. (2010). Higher Education Climate Consortium. Green Building Alliance. Accessed 5 May ICLEI. (20). Local Government Operations Protocol, Version

13 BACKGROUND The principal tool provided by ICLEI is its Clean Air & Climate Protection (CACP) software, which estimates CO 2 e emissions for both municipal and citywide operations. CACP also provides analysis calculators to project emissions reductions. 12 The ICLEI CACP software was used for the following Pittsburgh region inventories: Pittsburgh Climate Protection Initiative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (baseline inventory, using 2003 data) 13 Pittsburgh 20 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory: A 5-Year Benchmark (this document) Allegheny County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report and Climate Action Plan (original baseline, based on 20 data) 14 ICLEI member local governments pursue greenhouse gas emissions reductions through five milestones: Milestone 1: Milestone 2: Milestone 3: Milestone 4: Milestone 5: Conduct a baseline inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions Set an emissions reduction target Develop a Local Action Plan of measures to meet the reduction target Implement emissions reduction policies and measures Monitor and verify the results of the Local Action Plan As of May 2010, both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have completed ICLEI Milestones 1 and 2. Through publication of the PCAP, the City of Pittsburgh also completed Milestone 3 in 20; Allegheny County completed Milestone 3 in 2010 through release of their Action Plan for County government operations. In 20 and 2009, the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative began establishing GHG reduction programs to pursue Milestone 4. In 2010, the City of Pittsburgh was awarded recognition for Milestone 5 for completing a second greenhouse gas emissions inventory, this document. Pittsburgh is among 16 cities nationwide to achieve Milestone 5 as of September, Monitor and Verify: 20 Benchmark Inventory In 2009, Green Building Alliance, the convening organization for the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative, conducted this 5-year benchmark GHG emissions inventory in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. This most current inventory uses 20 data to evaluate Pittsburgh s position relative to its 2003 baseline inventory. The methods and findings from this 5-year benchmark GHG emissions inventory are summarized in this document. 12 ICLEI. (2009). Clean Air & Climate Protection (computer software). Toronto, ON,Canada. 13 Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote 7. 12

14 METHODS Methods This inventory of Pittsburgh s 20 greenhouse gas emissions uses two methods, one for municipal operations and one for citywide processes. For both, data on energy use, transportation fuel combustion, and waste disposal are converted to CO 2 e using appropriate coefficients. Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Data Inputs ICLEI s CACP software and its user guide provide emissions coefficients for all fuel types, for waste disposal, and for electricity grid composition to estimate greenhouse gas emissions. These coefficients are the multipliers that determine how much of each greenhouse gas is emitted by fuel combustion, waste disposal, and electricity use. For example, one kilowatt hour of electricity is multiplied by electricity coefficients, yielding the amount of each greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere from that energy use. A full list of Pittsburgh s 20 coefficients is provided in Appendix A. Due to regional differences in electricity generation, those conducting an inventory must research and enter the electricity coefficients that are appropriate to their location. Due to policy differences in handling solid waste, those conducting an inventory must research and enter the solid waste coefficients that are appropriate to their municipality s solid waste disposal. Electricity Emissions Coefficients ICLEI s CACP User Guide instructs users to enter the appropriate greenhouse gas emissions coefficients specific to their region s electricity grid mix. 15 Pittsburgh is located in egrid RFC West. The most recent benchmark data 16 (2005) were utilized to estimate greenhouse gas emissions produced from electricity consumed; greenhouse gases included in this calculation are carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and methane (CH 4 ). The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory used the same data sources, but utilized 2003 coefficients for both greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutants. 15 ICLEI. (2009). CACP User Guide. Accessed 1 August US Environmental Protection Agency. (2005). egridweb: egrid2007, Version 1.1, Year 2005 GHG Annual Output Emissions Rates. Accessed 1 August

15 METHODS Solid Waste Emissions Coefficients The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory followed EPA guidelines which consider solid waste facilities to be emissions sinks that capture and store greenhouse gases. Therefore, the 2003 inventory used negative emissions coefficients to effectively assign a CO 2 e sequestration value to solid waste disposal. This effectively assumes that land filling waste captures GHG emissions instead of releasing them. The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory explains: ICLEI bases its treatment of solid waste on EPA calculations of carbon sequestration in landfills. Under this methodology, land filled waste acts, to a certain degree, as a sink for greenhouse gases. As a result, in cases where landfills flare or recover landfill methane, the actual net effect of land filled waste on GHG emissions may be negative. While EPA supports this methodology, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) does not. Based on the City s preference of methodology, the carbon sequestration effect of landfills can be eliminated by changing the sequestration coefficients in the ICLEI software. 17 Treating landfills as sequestration sites sends a mixed message that land filling solid waste always reduces greenhouses, whereas the impact is site-specific. Consequently, this 20 Pittsburgh inventory data has excluded the sequestration coefficients for solid waste, meaning that disposed of solid waste contributes greenhouse gas emissions to the inventory. Thus, to accurately compare the 2003 baseline inventory to this 20 benchmark inventory, the sequestration coefficients were also removed from the 2003 data. Comparison of 2003 and 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions To compare 2003 emissions to 20 emissions, both data sets need to use the same emissions coefficients system. As explained previously, emissions coefficients are the numbers by which energy use, vehicle miles traveled, and waste tonnage are multiplied to determine the amount of greenhouse gases that are released by those activities. Consequently, for an accurate comparison between the 2003 and 20 Pittsburgh inventories, the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory coefficients were adjusted to match the 20 inventory s coefficient system (Table 1). To apply adjusted coefficients, the 2003 data was entered into ICLEI s 2009 version of the CACP software along with the 20 data. Throughout this report, the adjusted 2003 data is used to accurately compare to 20 data. 17 Ibid, Footnote 1. 14

16 METHODS Table 1: Emissions Coefficients for 20 Date and Adjusted Emissions Coefficients for 2003 Data 2003 Data Emissions Coefficients Source 20 Data Emissions Coefficients Source 2003 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coefficients for greenhouse gases EPA coefficients for greenhouse gases North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) coefficients for criteria air pollutants NERC coefficients for criteria air pollutants. Pittsburgh Municipal Government Inventory This 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was conducted using ICLEI s Clean Air & Climate Protection software tool and adhering to ICLEI s Local Government Operations Protocol. 20 ICLEI s Local Government Operations Protocol ICLEI s Local Government Operations Protocol (LGOP) provides methodological guidance for conducting a municipal greenhouse gas emissions inventory; the LGOP was developed in partnership by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), in collaboration with The Climate Registry and dozens of stakeholders... The Protocol facilitates the standardized and rigorous inventorying of GHG emissions, which can help track emissions reduction progress over time and in comparison to GHG reduction targets. 21 The LGOP provides consistent methods for gathering accurate data on a municipal government s energy consumption, fuel combustion, and waste generation. The municipal government scope is defined by its operational and financial control (i.e., those buildings, equipment units, and people that the government directly manages and funds). Operational data are converted to CO 2 e based on the global warming potential (GWP) of emissions; the GWP of greenhouse gases are developed and defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 22, 23 Reporting emissions in CO 2 e provides a common ground from which to compare greenhouse gas emissions producing activities and to compare emissions over time, both within and external to the City of Pittsburgh. 18 Greenhouse gases include CO2, N 2 O, and CH Criteria air pollutants include NOx, SOx, CO, VOC, and PM Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote 11, Page U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2006). High GWP Gases and Climate Change. Accessed 1 December Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (1996). IPCC Second Assessment Report: Climate Change 1995 (SAR). Accessed 5 May

17 METHODS Boundary and Scope of Municipal Inventory In compliance with ICLEI s LGOP, the Pittsburgh municipal inventory includes all activities over which City government and its Authorities exercise operational and/or financial control. Municipal data include all activities that result in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The only Scope 3 emissions included in an LGOP-compliant local government inventory are vehicle fuel combustion resulting from municipal employees commute and solid waste generated by city employees offices. Per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), all emissions are categorized into three scopes to allocate degrees of responsibility across emitters and thereby avoid double counting. To illustrate potential double counting, GHG emissions resulting from a building s electricity use are Scope 2 emissions for that building, but those same emissions are Scope 1 emissions for the power plant that directly burns fuel to generate the electricity. Scope 1: [D]irect GHG emissions occurring from sources that are owned or controlled by the institution, including: on-[site] stationary combustion of fossil fuels; mobile combustion of fossil fuels by institution owned/controlled vehicles; and fugitive emissions. Fugitive emissions result from intentional or unintentional releases of GHGs, including the leakage of HFCs from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment as well as the release of CH 4 from institution-owned farm animals. 24 Scope 2: Scope 3: Indirect GHG emissions associated with the consumption of purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heating, or cooling. 25 [A]ll other indirect emissions - those that are a consequence of the activities of the institution, but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the institution. 26 These include emissions resulting from the extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, transport-related activities in vehicles not owned or controlled by the reporting entity (e.g., employee commuting and business travel), outsourced activities, waste disposal, etc Dautremont-Smith, Julian et al. (2009). Implementation Guide: Information and Resources for Participating Institutions. American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Version 1.1. Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education & Second Nature. Accessed 7 January Ibid, Footnote 11, Page Dautremont-Smith, Julian et al. (2009). Implementation Guide: Information and Resources for Participating Institutions. American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Version 1.1. Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education & Second Nature. Accessed 7 January Ibid, Footnote

18 Scope 3 emissions are generally excluded from GHG inventories because they are difficult to consistently quantify. Overall, this means that emissions resulting from many personal and business-related activities and decisions that might be evaluated in an individual, carbon footprint style inventory are excluded from a city-level GHG inventory approach (e.g., purchased goods and services, food purchases, business travel, and other outsourced activities). 28 City Authorities Included in Municipal Inventory City of Pittsburgh government has several municipal authorities over which it has varying degrees of operational and financial control. The City of Pittsburgh authorities included in this inventory are: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Parking Authority Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh The only authorities not included in the municipal GHG inventory are the Stadium Authority and the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA). The Stadium Authority is not included in either the municipal or citywide inventory because it does not own or operate any properties; it controls the planning process for developing a small parcel of land on Pittsburgh s North Side. The SEA is embedded in the citywide piece of this 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory because it owns large public event venues, such as the David L. Convention Center, PNC Park baseball stadium, Heinz Field football stadium, and Mellon Arena, among others, which operate as commercial buildings with little operational control exercised by the City. Thus, the SEA s emissions are captured within the commercial sector s analysis. Data Sources for Municipal Inventory: Buildings and Facilities Electricity and natural gas used by all municipally and Authority owned and operated buildings and facilities were totaled from 20 calendar year utility bills (excluding the SEA, as explained above). Natural gas combustion as a result of City buildings steam consumption was estimated from 20 fuel combustion and steam delivery data provided by Pittsburgh Allegheny County Thermal (PACT ). As noted in Table 2, these data sources are the same as utilized in the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. 28 Redefining Progress. Ecological Footprint. Accessed 13 January

19 METHODS Streetlights and Traffic Signals Electricity use by all streetlights and traffic signals owned by the City of Pittsburgh was totaled from 20 calendar year utility bills summarizing known usage. This is the same data source as the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Water Delivery System Pittsburgh s drinking water delivery system and waste water pumping system is managed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). Natural gas and electricity consumption for PWSA services were totaled from PWSA s utility bills for the 20 calendar year. This data source was the same for the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Vehicle Fleet City of Pittsburgh vehicle fleet information was compiled from 20 fuel use, fuel costs, vehicle type, and vehicle model years that are recorded and tracked for City billing and maintenance. This data was provided by the City of Pittsburgh s Fleet Contract Administrator and his team. However, two City departments could provide only estimated 20 gasoline and diesel fuel use; these departments included: Public Works Environmental Services (PWES) vehicles for garbage and recycling collection PWSA vehicles The data and sources used for this category are different from the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, which used fuel purchase information from the City of Pittsburgh Department of General Services. Employee Commute In 20, a survey of City of Pittsburgh employee commuting behavior was administered by the City Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator. To estimate emissions from all City employees commuting activities, survey respondents commuting behavior (vehicle miles traveled (VMT ) in gasoline vehicles, VMT in buses, miles traveled by bicycles, and walking) was scaled up for application to the total number of fulltime City employees. Employee commuting information was not included in the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. 18

20 METHODS Employee Waste The study Waste in the Workplace determined that on average an office employee generates 1.7 pounds of waste per day. 29 The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory used this source to estimate City of Pittsburgh employee waste, and that assumption continues to be in line with other public sources analyzing office waste generation. Consequently, this 20 inventory estimated waste generated from City of Pittsburgh employees using the number of full time equivalent City employees in 20, 30 the number of annual working days for City employees, 31 the Waste in the Workplace study, 32 and a 2002 study of office and residential waste in Vermont. 33 These are the same data sources used for the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory except for waste composition. In 2003, office waste composition was assumed to be 95 percent paper products and 5 percent other waste. In 20, office waste composition was obtained from a 2002 VT study of office and residential waste: on page (vi) it lists percentages from office waste sampling, and we averaged the samples to apply a composition of 30.5 percent Paper Products, 18.9 percent Food, and 50.6 percent Other. 34 Fugitive Emissions Fugitive emissions are defined by ICLEI s LGOP as emissions that are not physically controlled but result from intentional or unintentional releases, commonly arising from the production, processing, transmission, storage, and use of fuels and other substances, often through joints, seals, packing, gaskets, etc. (e.g., HFCs from refrigeration leaks, SF 6 from electrical power distributors, and CH 4 from solid waste landfills). 35 The City of Pittsburgh purchases only a single refrigerant (R-22), which is classified by the IPCC as an ozone-depleting gas rather than a greenhouse gas. 36 ICLEI s LGOP, Version 1.0 establishes ozonedepleting gases separately from greenhouse gases in its accounting. For that reason, fugitive emissions resulting from refrigerants used in City of Pittsburgh-owned and operated buildings and vehicles are noted as an information item in this 20 Pittsburgh Inventory, but do not actually contribute to the City s accounting of GHG emissions. 29 Keep America Beautiful. (2001). Waste in the Workplace data contacts detailed information is provided in Appendix A. 31 Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote DSM Environmental Services, Inc. (2002). Vermont Waste Composition Study. percent20waste percent20comp.pdf. Accessed 16 December Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote 11, Page Ibid, Footnote

21 METHODS No fugitive emissions were included in the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Renewable Energy Certificates and Offsets Pittsburgh began purchasing uncertified renewable energy certificates on June 1, 20. The City organized an electricity purchasing cooperative that required 10 percent of the electricity provided include uncertified renewable energies; the cooperative includes the City of Pittsburgh, PWSA, SEA, Allegheny County, and Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Because the City purchase occurred on June 1, 20, this inventory assumes that 10 percent of the City of Pittsburgh, PWSA, and SEA electricity was renewable for only the last 7 months of the 20 calendar year (the equivalent of 5.8 percent over the entire 20 calendar year). In accordance with ICLEI s LGOP, Version 1.0, renewable energy certificates and offsets do not reduce local emissions, but are an important municipal practice and do provide investment in remote renewable energy development for the national grid. Consequently, per ICLEI protocol, the City of Pittsburgh s renewable energy certificates are only noted as information items in this 20 Pittsburgh inventory. The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory did not examine renewable energy certificates or offset purchases. Pittsburgh Citywide Inventory Pittsburgh s citywide inventory is separate from the municipal government inventory and its methods are described below. Boundary and Scope of Pittsburgh Citywide Inventory Citywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are defined as all emissions within the municipality s geographic boundaries. Citywide emissions include residential, commercial, and industrial activities as well as transportation and waste generation within city limits. Municipal emissions are embedded in the citywide inventory because municipal operations are within the city s geographic boundaries. ICLEI has yet to release a citywide inventory protocol to complement the LGOP. ICLEI has, however, developed some tools to supplement the CACP software s ability to analyze citywide GHG emissions. This 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory used ICLEI s CACP software and Pittsburgh s 2003 baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory to guide citywide emissions inventorying in the absence of 37 Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote

22 METHODS a formal citywide emissions reporting protocol. 37, 38 As with the municipal inventory, these data were converted to tons CO 2 e. Pittsburgh s 2003 and 20 citywide GHG inventories are bounded by Pittsburgh city limits. This is a necessary delimitation for a manageable analysis. One way Pittsburgh is working to address the exclusion of Pittsburgh s suburb neighborhoods, ports, and airports from the 20 Pittsburgh GHG inventory data is to expand our reduction strategies and activities to include those entities whenever possible, even if they are or will be measured under separate inventories, such as Allegheny County s inventory process. The 20 Pittsburgh citywide inventory includes all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions except fugitive emissions. The Scope 3 emissions included are those from waste generated within Pittsburgh city limits. Data Sources for Pittsburgh Citywide Inventory Electricity Because 20 calendar year data was unavailable, electricity consumption by Pittsburgh s residential buildings was provided by Duquesne Light Company for their 20 fiscal year, beginning April 20 and ending March This data source is the same as the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory; however, the 2003 data was for the calendar year instead of the fiscal year. Steam There are three steam plants in Pittsburgh: NRG Energy, Pittsburgh Allegheny County Thermal (PACT ), and the Bellefield Boiler Plant (BBP). The fuel combusted by each of these plants to produce steam in 20 was used to calculate their CO 2 e emissions. NRG Energy is a private business that serves hospitals and commercial buildings on Pittsburgh s North Side. NRG Energy provided 20 fuel combustion, steam delivery data, and costs. PACT is a public-private partnership that serves City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and commercial buildings in the Downtown district. PACT provided 20 fuel combustion and steam delivery data and the proportions used by each customer group (City, County, and commercial). As described previously, 21

23 METHODS City of Pittsburgh PACT steam consumption is reflected in the municipal Buildings and Facilities inventory category. Downtown commercial building consumption of PACT steam was included in this Steam Consumption category of the 20 Pittsburgh Inventory. Allegheny County s consumption of PACT steam is accounted for in their greenhouse gas inventory. 39 BBP is a private partnership between the Carnegie Museums, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University that serves those institution s buildings in Pittsburgh s Oakland neighborhood. Coal consumption and steam production data was provided. 40 Natural Gas There are three natural gas suppliers in Pittsburgh: Columbia Gas Company, Dominion People s Gas Company, and Equitable Gas Company. Dominion People s Gas Company provided actual customer natural gas consumption by category (residential, commercial, and industrial) based on zip codes within Pittsburgh city limits for the 20 calendar year. For natural gas supplied to Pittsburgh s residential, commercial, and industrial buildings by Columbia Gas Company and Equitable Gas company, natural gas combustion was estimated from the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission s 20 public reports. 41, 42 Both data sources and methods used for natural gas combustion in this 20 Pittsburgh Inventory are different from the sources and methods used for the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. For that inventory, natural gas combustion was estimated by multiplying the PUC provided average usage figures per customer class in Allegheny County (in thousand cubic feet) by the number of Duquesne Light Company electricity customers in each customer class. In 2003, the number of Duquesne Light Company customers in Pittsburgh was thus used as a proxy estimate of total natural gas customers in the Pittsburgh city limits. Fuel Oil and Kerosene Fuel oil combustion by Pittsburgh residential buildings was estimated using the U.S. Census Bureau s number of households occupied in city limits in 20 and ICLEI s Residential Energy Consumption Estimates calculator, which uses 2004 estimates of the quantity of fuel oil and kerosene combusted per 39 Ibid, Footnote Ibid, Footnote Pennsylvania Utilities Commission. (2009). Annual Report of: Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. Public Documents. Accessed 1 October Pennsylvania Utilities Commission. (2009). Gas Annual Report of: Equitable Gas Company, LLC. Public Documents. Accessed 1 October U.S, Census Bureau. Pittsburgh, PA: B Tenure By House Heating Fuel - Universe: Occupied Housing Units. ACS_20_3YR_G2000_B Accessed 1 December

24 METHODS household. 43, 44 Fuel oil combustion by Pittsburgh commercial and industrial buildings was estimated using commercial and industrial buildings square footage in the Pittsburgh city limits as provided by the Allegheny County Tax Assessor. 45 Neither fuel oil nor kerosene combustion data were included in the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Solid Waste 20 residential and commercial solid waste tonnage was provided by the City of Pittsburgh s Recycling Supervisor, who monitors hauling reports for the City s Department of Public Works from collecting Pittsburgh s residential trash and recycling as well as hauling reports from private haulers that collect commercial and industrial trash and recycling. Industrial tonnage is included in the commercial waste tonnage because industrial solid waste in Pittsburgh is collected by the same private waste haulers that collect commercial waste. Waste composition percentages were taken from a 2007 nationwide EPA waste study. 45 Waste emissions coefficients were applied to the composition and quantity of Pittsburgh s residential, commercial and industrial waste to determine methane emissions. Except for waste composition sources, these data sources are the same as the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory; in 2003, waste composition was taken from a 2003 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection waste composition study for the Southwest region. 46 By using national averages, this 20 inventory complies with ICLEI s LGOP and uses the most recently available data, but it loses the regionally specific waste information. Transportation The vehicle miles traveled (VMT ) by all types of vehicles on all types of roads in the Pittsburgh city limits in 20 was provided by the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission (SPC). Pennsylvania vehicle population composition (vehicle type and model year) was provided by SPC, for which SPC used a 2005 Pennsylvania 44 ICLEI. (2009). Residential Energy Consumption Estimates Calculator (computer software). Toronto, ON, Canada. 45 Ibid, Footnote U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts and Figures. Accessed 2 November Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. (2003). Section 11: Southwest Region MSW Composition. Accessed 2 November

25 METHODS Department of Transportation study. SPC was also the source utilized for the 2003 data. More comprehensive information, however, was provided for this 20 Inventory than for the 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. The 2003 inventory only included VMT on interstates and principal arterial roadways within the Pittsburgh city limits, whereas this 20 inventory includes VMT on all road classifications. Data Changes Between 2003 and 20 Inventories A summary of data changes between the 2003 and 20 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories is provided in Table 2 and Table 3 for municipal and citywide data, respectively. Municipal Inventory Data Changes For 2003, fuel combustion information for the municipal vehicle fleet was found through the billing records in the City of Pittsburgh s Department of General Services; this billing information may have lacked personal fuel purchases that were later reimbursed and the data did not include vehicle type and model year (used to account for fuel efficiency variances). In contrast, the 20 municipal vehicle fleet data was provided by the City of Pittsburgh vehicle management team who tracks much more detailed fuel and vehicle information for maintenance purposes. Given the increased level of detail in the 20 data, it is highly likely that the 20 data is more complete than the 2003 information. Only the main offices of the Urban Redevelop Authority, located at 200 Ross Street, were included in 2003 data. For this 20 inventory, all of the URA s buildings and garages are included. Citywide Inventory Data Changes For 2003, citywide natural gas consumers were estimated by service class (residential, commercial, etc.) using electricity meters as a proxy. Natural gas consumption was then estimated using approximate average consumption per meter by service class. This 20 inventory uses the actual number of customers and the average consumption rate for each gas company and service class. Citywide transportation sector data for 20 is expanded from the 2003 data. The 2003 Pittsburgh Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory used vehicle miles traveled information for interstates and principal arterials within Pittsburgh city limits only, whereas this 20 inventory uses vehicle miles traveled on all road classifications in the Pittsburgh city limits electricity data was provided for the 2003 calendar year, while 20 electricity data is provided for Duquesne Light Co. s 20 fiscal year (April 20 through March 2009). 24

26 METHODS Data Sources Not Included in this 20 Inventory Additionally, due to limited data access, the fuel burned by ships, boats, and locomotives within the Pittsburgh city limits are excluded from this inventory. These vehicle types generally burn diesel fuel and are therefore significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollutants. The Port of Pittsburgh Commission, however, does not track the information required to include such information in this 20 inventory. 48 In the next Pittsburgh GHG inventory, data sources for river and rail traffic should be explored at an earlier stage. Table 2: Pittsburgh Municipal Government Data, 2003 and 20 EMISSION SOURCES 2003 DATA SOURCE 20 DATA SOURCE BUILDINGS & FACILITIES Utility bills for 2003 calendar year, provided by City of Pittsburgh Department of General Services. Utility bills for 20 calendar year, provided by City of Pittsburgh Energy and Utilities Manager. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT: ENERGY & WATER STEAM CONSUMPTION STREETLIGHTS & TRAFFIC SIGNALS WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM VEHICLE FLEET EMPLOYEE COMMUTE Natural gas combusted in 2003, provided by Pittsburgh Allegheny County Thermal (PACT) [in MCF]. 49 Utility bills for 2003 calendar year, provided by City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works. Utility bills for 2003 calendar year, provided by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Reported fuel purchases for 2003 City operations, provided by City of Pittsburgh Department of General Services. Neither required by ICLEI nor included. Natural gas combusted in 20, provided by PACT [in MCF]. Utility bills for 20 calendar year, provided by City of Pittsburgh Energy and Utilities Manager. Utility bills for 20 calendar year, provided by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Fuel use, fuel costs, vehicle type, and vehicle model year for 20 City operations, provided by the City of Pittsburgh Vehicle Contract Administrator. Estimated from a 20 survey of City employee commuting behavior, administered by City of Pittsburgh Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator. EMPLOYEE WASTE Number of full time equivalent City employees in 2003, number of annual working days in 20, and an assumed office waste composition of 95% paper products and 5% other waste. Number of full time equivalent City of Pittsburgh employees in 20 and the number of annual working days in 20, provided by City of Pittsburgh Department of Personnel, and office waste composition. 50, McCarville, Jim. (2010) Inquiry. Personal communication via , 3 January MCF = million cubic feet. 25