FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366,
news@cpuc.ca.gov
PUC TAKES UNPRECEDENTED LEADERSHIP ROLE
IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2, 2005 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today announced it is gearing up for its groundbreaking Feb. 23 en banc to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions by identifying best practices for all PUC regulated companies (electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and transportation). Presenters include representatives from the academic, research, business, insurance, shareholder activist, and state government organizations.
"We are the first PUC in the nation to squarely address the issue of climate change, as it relates to all of our regulated utilities. This is an unprecedented and much needed step in the United States, and I am pleased that, working with Governor Schwarzenegger and his administration, we are leading the charge on this important issue," said PUC President Michael R. Peevey. "The United States is the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter and is responsible for approximately 25 percent of the world's emissions. Our en banc, which brings together preeminent leaders and experts in this area, and our subsequent steps, will allow us to identify key opportunities for the utilities to get out in front and lead on this issue and to initiate efforts that will benefit the California economy, businesses, and consumers now and in the years to come."
Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to business operations include power plant operation, fleet vehicle efficiency, building efficiencies, and overall reduction of energy consumption.
According to President Peevey, this effort reflects California's ingenuity and foresight in addressing very real issues that are deemed too hard by others. "We will not sit idly by and not act on this obvious and important issue that is facing us, the nation, and the world," said President Peevey. "Our efforts support the work that Governor Schwarzenegger has begun in the West Coast Governors' Climate Change Initiative and helps ensure that California continues its legacy as an environmental and business leader."
The PUC's climate change initiative will take a broad look at the issue of greenhouse gas emissions from a business and key stakeholder perspective. The en banc is a forum for leaders to come together with the utilities and identify real and tangible actions that will reduce emissions and benefit businesses, California's consumers, and the global environment. In addition to Commissioners from the PUC, the California Energy Commission, and senior utility executives, participants include:
· Joe Desmond, Secretary, California State Resources Agency
· Anne Baker, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs, California Environmental Protection Agency
· Bill Tyndall, Vice President of Environmental Services and Federal Affairs, Cinergy
· Pete Cartwright, President and CEO, Calpine
· Chris Walker, Director of Greenhouse Gas Risk Solutions, Swiss Re
· Ralph Cavanagh, Energy Program Director, Natural Resources Defense Council
· Tom Kerr, Chief, Energy Supply & Industry Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Atmospheric Programs
· Catherine Witherspoon, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
· Dr. Steve Schneider, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Science and Policy, and Co-Director of Interdisciplinary Program in the Environment and Resources, Stanford University
· Diane Wittenberg, President, California Climate Action Registry
· Judi Greenwald, Director of Innovative Solutions, Pew Center on Climate Change
· Denise Furey, Senior Director, Fitch Ratings
Topics will include background on climate change emissions sources, best business practices and risk mitigation strategies and policies.
After the en banc, regulated industry leaders will be responsible for developing a collaborative report to the PUC recommending industry actions to address climate change and the PUC policies needed to facilitate those actions.
The complete agenda and a PUC staff discussion paper are available at: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/industry/electric/climate+change/index.htm.
For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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