MAY 2019
If you regularly read sustainability news, you may have noticed that more and more state and local governments are passing legislation aimed at tackling climate change with policies aimed at decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, assisting coal-oriented communities in the transition toward cleaner fuels, and changing the norm in terms of transportation in favor of less-emitting options such as electric vehicles. Furthermore, there is an uptick in the number of municipalities and companies developing greenhouse gas inventories to set the baseline for future climate action.
Developing greenhouse gas inventories and modeling strategies is a Lotus specialty and we have completed greenhouse gas inventories for more than 40 municipalities. In addition to our work with municipalities, we are thrilled to be working with the Grand Canyon Trust on a unique, large-scale, regional greenhouse gas inventory covering the four corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, better known as the Colorado Plateau. Continue reading to learn how Grand Canyon Trust is developing an understanding of greenhouse gas emissions within the Colorado Plateau.
Grand Canyon Trust Embarks on a Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The Colorado Plateau covers an area of roughly 130,000 square miles and includes portions of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It is home to nine national parks and more than a dozen national monuments. Since 1985, the Grand Canyon Trust has set out to protect and restore the Colorado Plateau. To support their mission, Lotus is helping to develop their first greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The inventory tool will help the Grand Canyon Trust better understand the biggest source of emissions within the Colorado Plateau, identify opportunities to impact those sources through policy, and help educate interested parties. Because this inventory includes over 40 counties within 4 states it is complex and unique. Lotus is so excited to be able to apply our expertise in this arena to help the Grand Canyon Trust continue their mission and protect the Colorado Plateau.
Lotus Blogs—An Overview of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5 Degrees of Warming (Parts 1 and 2)
Our most recent blog posts summarize an October 2018 report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that outlines the impacts of climate change if temperatures raise 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels. The goal of the report is to explain how the response to climate change, sustainable development, and the eradication of poverty can be most effectively addressed and expanded. This is just one, global, science-based explanation of what happens if we continue with business as usual. These blogs were written by Maggie Zeh, a senior at Rock Canyon High School, who worked with Lotus as part of her senior career exploration coursework. Maggie plans to continue following her passion for the environment this fall at the University of Michigan, where she will major in Environmental Science. We wish Maggie the best of luck and appreciate all her hard work during her time with us!
Lotus is Growing!
Lotus welcomed Karmen Griffith to the team in March! Karmen brings over 15 years of experience in environmental consulting, compliance, and project management to the Lotus team. Prior to joining Lotus, Karmen led a variety of private and public-sector environmental programs for Tetra Tech, including working on the State of Colorado's waste tire program and leading projects related to environmental compliance, stormwater, and environmental due diligence. Karmen is known for her program and project management skills, research expertise, and technical report writing and reviews. As a Lotus Associate, she provides support on a wide variety of projects for Lotus' clients, including greenhouse gas inventories and modeling, toolkit development, plan research and development, and stakeholder facilitation. Please join us in welcoming Karmen to the team!
In addition to adding Karmen to the team, Lotus is excited to announce that we are seeking to fill the role of Research Associate as our fifth employee! We are looking for someone who is willing to pitch in on all tasks that come up in the course of business. We need someone who is flexible, nimble, and willing to adapt to the needs of our business in a rapidly evolving market! Ideal candidates have 2-4 years of experience, strong communication skills (oral and written), and a passion for the type of work we do. Please see the full job description on www.lotussustainability.com. All interested candidates are encouraged to contact Hillary Dobos at hillary@lotussustainability.com.
Lotus in the Community
Lotus’s Julia Ferguson will be speaking at the Sustainability Leadership Program on June 20th, 2019. The mission of the Sustainability Leadership Program (offered through the Sustainable Living Association) is to develop leaders who will address our present challenges and opportunities so that future generations can enjoy better options than those available today.
Inspiring or Noteworthy News
The beginning of May marked the end of the Colorado legislative session, and we are seeing a path forward aimed at tackling climate change. Beyond Colorado, there is growing momentum in the same direction! Please see below for just some of the many articles with sustainability and climate action at the forefront that we found interesting.
Local News
Several bills in the Colorado state legislative session relate to climate change and sustainability: HB 19-1261 creates a framework to tackle climate change by setting science-based goals to reduce carbon pollution of at least 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050 (compared to 2005 levels); HB 19-096 identifies opportunities to facilitate emissions data collection to meet statewide goals.
The Colorado Legislature has passed two new bills aimed at reducing energy and water use in buildings: HB19-1231 sets minimum energy and water-saving standards for residential and commercial appliances; and HB 19-1260 requires local jurisdictions to adopt one of the three most recent versions on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) when they update other building codes.
Colorado State Representative Chris Hansen, who recently put forward a bill on retiring coal power plants that will provide environmental benefits as well as benefits to the local communities that rely on the plants for their economic livelihood, share more about the bill on the podcast the Energy Transition Show.
Colorado Governor Polis signed into law SB 19-181, which is aimed at limiting methane emissions from oil and gas operations in the state by giving local governments land-use authority over extraction projects.
National News
Most consumers want renewable electricity, according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports.
The New Mexico legislature last month passed Senate Bill 489, establishing goals for 80 percent renewable electricity by 2040 and 100 percent by 2045, as well as community assistance provisions for coal-impacted communities. New Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the bill into law.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the launch of a new council, the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology Council, which will address oversight gaps created by emerging transportation technologies.
Many local governments are struggling with how to provide recycling services in the wake of changes to recycling markets; this columnist argues that moving to dual- or multi-stream recycling systems may provide a solution.
Seven Western states have agreed on a plan to manage the Colorado River amid the current 19-year drought.
The Columbia Energy Exchange podcast recently explored the findings of “Sustainable Energy in America” Factbook and discussed the changing U.S. energy landscape with Lisa Jacobson.
A judge blocked oil and gas drilling in parts of Wyoming and said the U.S. government must consider climate change impacts differently when leasing public lands for energy exploration.
Nevada’s Governor Sisolack announces the state will join the U.S. Climate Alliance.
A new study indicates that congestion pricing in L.A. could reduce emissions from transportation by 20%; New York plans to implement congestion pricing in 2021.
Idaho Power joins Xcel Energy as one of the few investor-owned utilities that has established a 100% clean electricity goal the Idaho utility plans to accomplish this by 2045.
A new analysis estimates that 86 percent of coal-fired power plants will be more expensive to operate than local renewable energy by 2025.
As the uptake of electric vehicles continues to increase, utilities see a potential revenue stream in the investment of EV charging infrastructure.
Representative Paul Tonko, who is the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, shared the intent of this committee in the upcoming legislative sessions with the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast.
Multiple states are looking at opportunities to further regulate refrigerants, which represent an extremely potent form of greenhouse gases.
Recent NASA data indicates that the planet may be warming at a slightly faster pace than previously estimated.
South Carolina joins several other coastal states in a move to restrict off-shore drilling in advance of the Department of Interior’s Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposal.
The City of Chicago is the latest to join a group of U.S. cities committed to achieving 100% renewable energy, most of which will come from wind power around the Windy City; Chicago plans on meeting this target by 2040, and is the largest U.S. city to set this commitment yet.
Senator Ed Markey, one of the co-sponsors of the Green New Deal, spoke with Vox about the resolution’s intent and potential for impact.
A new bill in New York City will place emissions caps on existing buildings in an attempt to cut emissions from the City’s biggest carbon-emitting sector.
Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state, who has championed clean energy policy, talks about tools for decarbonization on the Columbia Energy Exchange.
Puerto Rico’s legislature passed an ambitious bill for the territory to obtain 100% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2050, but the reliance on natural gas may make this difficult.
Global News
The city of Copenhagen, Denmark, offers many examples of how a sustainable city can be successfully planned and developed from the existing infrastructure.
Over 40 governments across the globe have adopted carbon pricing schemes to reduce emissions; the New York Times provided an overview of several, including their price on carbon and impact potential.
Germany is considering introducing a carbon emissions tax to curb the production of greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, Amsterdam is moving to remove over 11,000 parking spots in the city by 2025, creating more space for cyclists and pedestrians.
We always appreciate your feedback, and any opportunity to support your work on climate action and sustainability. Please reach out to us with questions or comments. Also, if you have an interesting article that you think is worth sharing, please send it to us and we may include it in a future newsletter. Thank you!