Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Standard

The PUC adopted an interim Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) in an effort to help mitigate climate change. This first-of-its-kind Emissions Performance Standard is a facility-based emissions standard requiring that all new long-term commitments for baseload generation to serve California consumers be with power plants that have emissions no greater than a combined cycle gas turbine plant. That level is established at 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour. "New long-term commitment" refers to new plant investments (new construction), new or renewal contracts with a term of five years or more, or major investments by the utility in its existing baseload power plants.

• January 25, 2007 Press Release and Fact Sheet on interim GHG EPS.
• April 17, 2006 ruling, which notices a Pre-Hearing conference on May 10, 2006, and also proposes the schedule for the first phase of the proceeding and requests comments on the schedule as well as key issues identified in the Ruling.

Proceeding Overview:

• FINAL Emissions Performance Standard Workshop Report issued October 2, 2006
• Key CPUC Actions related to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, September 2006
• Draft Workshop Report issued August 21, 2006 for Comment
• June 21, 2006 Workshop in R.0604009 to address Phase 1 threshold policy and implementation issues for an interim greenhouse gas performance standard.
  • Emissions Calculation for Cogeneration presented by Energy Producers and Users Coalition and Cogeneration Association of California at June 21-23, 2006 Workshop
  • DSP Directions For Phase1 Post Workshop Comments
  • Data Requested at the June 21 Workshop

Responses provided by assigned parties to the data requested:

Q1. The size of the potential IOU procurement needs that would be covered by an interim EPS and Q2. Analysis around the definition of "covered resources:" What proportion of GHG emissions from long-term commitments would be excluded/included if the threshold for review is 60% average annual capacity factor vs. 50%, 70% or 80%?
- PG&E Response,
- SCE Response and Attachment To Response,
- SDG&E and SoCalGas Response

Q3. Graph/Schematic of representative heat rates/emission rates for different types of facilities, for the purpose of considering the level of the "moderate" and "high" EPS thresholds for existing/new facilities under the staff Straw Proposal, or alternative approaches. Data provided by multiple parties.
- Heat Rates and Emissions,
- Existing Emission Rates,
- EPA Conversions

Q4. Size of potential ESP procurement.
- Revised Response to Q4
- SCE and AReM response
- Attachment to SCE and AReM response

Q5. Emission factors for unspecified resources.
- CEC Response

Q6. Potential new sources of power (new projects coming on line) proposed for potential sale to California IOUs.
- Parties Response

PUC to set cap on greenhouse gas emissions produced while generating electricity.

Proceeding Documents