NDEP GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY 2019: POLICIES THAT COULD ACHIEVE REDUCTIONS IN PROJECTED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SECTOR

As required by SB 254, this section identifies policies that could achieve reductions in projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, organized by the GHG emissions sectors in this report. As noted in the introduction to this report, NDEP has included GHG emissions from the “waste” sector as an additional contributor to GHG emissions in Nevada necessary for monitoring and identifying policy proposals. NDEP coordinated with the Governor’s Office of Energy, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), the Nevada Department of Transportation, and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles in the identification of these policies. NDEP also reviewed policies included in climate change planning documents recently generated by the U.S. Climate Alliance, New Mexico, and Colorado, and other relevant sources.

This list is an initial identification of policies that could reduce Nevada’s GHG emissions. It is not a list of recommendations. Individual policies listed herein need further evaluation to determine whether additional planning, legal review, economic impact and cost-benefit analyses, regulation, and/or legislation may be required prior to implementation. As required by Executive Order 2019-22, state agencies will be developing a specific set of policy and budget recommendations in a State Climate Strategy to be prepared by December 1, 2020. Policies are not listed in order of priority or feasibility.

Economy-Wide Policies

In addition to the sector-specific policies listed below, comprehensive economy-wide programs—including market-based mechanisms—need further evaluation to determine what may be appropriate for Nevada’s GHG emissions profile.

Establish a Lead-by-Example Program for State Agencies

State agencies can demonstrate leadership in reducing GHG emissions within their activities and operations. The program would identify multiple pathways to meet GHG reduction goals and provide necessary assistance to all state agencies in achieving the goals of the Lead-by-Example (LBE) Program. The program would promote sustainability activities within state government such as green building practices, waste reduction, alternative fuels, recycling programs, and sustainable travel.

TRANSPORTATION

Vehicle Emissions Standards

Adopt California emissions standards, established though a waiver application as allowable under Section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), for certain new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines and certain model years (at least two years before commencement of such model year). These include:

• California’s Low-Emissions Vehicle (LEV) standards that sets vehicle manufacturer GHG emissions standards for new passenger cars and light-trucks;
• California’s Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) standard that creates a credit-based program for vehicle manufacturers that requires an increasing percentage of ZEVs; and
• California’s Advanced Clean Truck Program, which is currently in development, would create a program reducing engine emissions and increasing electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled

• Promote the use of non-single-occupant vehicle trips, including, but not limited to, carpooling, transit, micro-transit bicycling, and walking.
• Expand regional transit services through increases in trip frequency, service areas, and improved reliability while also providing greater incentives to increase transit service use.
• Adopt a statewide transportation demand management program for large employers, requiring that employers actively participate in minimizing the vehicle trips created by their business.
• Provide incentives for the procurement of LEVs and ZEVs for rideshare and other for-hire transportation services.
• Adopt pricing strategies such as increasing fuel taxes to reduce single-occupant vehicle usage/driving of personal vehicles.
• Adopt parking pricing strategies such as lowering parking costs for carpools and vanpools to encourage the use of these services.
• Adopt a statewide parking policy that discourages single-occupant vehicle use and encourages the use of carpools, vanpools, and other modes of high-occupancy vehicle travel.
• Adopt land use policies that discourage more-impactful development/encourage less-impactful development, such as transportation impact fees based on projected increases/decreases in vehicle miles travelled (VMT) and incentivize mixed use, high density, and/or infill development.
• Evaluate a requirement for high-occupancy vehicle lanes, rather than general purpose lanes, for any proposed highway expansion.

Equitable Transportation Funding Solution

• Adopt a solution to fund Nevada’s transportation system in a manner that equitably addresses carbon reduction, transportation system asset management and operations, and provides safe and reliable alternatives to single-occupant vehicle travel.

Exemption from Emissions Inspection for Certain Motor Vehicles

• Adopt one or more of the changes to the special license plate program that were recommended by the Advisory Committee on the Control of Emissions from Motor Vehicles in 2016 in order to require motor vehicles that would not normally be considered classic vehicles, but nevertheless meet the statutory requirements necessary to obtain special license plates (Classic Vehicles, Classic Rods, or Old Timer), to be treated in a manner similar to other motor vehicles in Nevada. The recommendations included in the 2016 study were made in consideration of preserving the interests of owners of legitimate classic vehicles.

Incentivize the Statewide Transition to Low- and Zero-Emissions Vehicles

• Adopt a program similar to the federal Car Allowance Rebate System, colloquially known as “cash for clunkers,” that provides financial incentives to vehicle owners to trade in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and replace them with LEVs and ZEVs.
• Provide incentives for the replacement of public transit and school buses to ZEVs.
• Provide outreach and education on the benefits of ZEV ownership.
• Promote existing ZEV incentives and rebate programs.

Procurement

• Adopt a coordinated, interagency economy-of-scale procurement program for state, county, municipal fleets, and school districts that supports LEV and ZEV acquisitions and realizes a reduction in individual unit costs.

Low-Carbon Fuels

• Adopt a low-carbon fuel standard for transportation fuels.

ELECTRICITY GENERATION

Renewable Portfolio Standard

• Adopt a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 100% by or before 2050.
• Provide incentives to customers that are willing to invest in additional renewable energy and/or energy storage resources to ensure that they receive electric service from 100% renewable energy resources.

Phase Out Fossil Fuel-Fired Electricity Generating Sources

• Adopt a freeze on the approval or construction of any new fossil fuel-fired electricity generating sources.

Integrated Resource Plan Proceedings

• Move away from using natural gas-fired electric generating units (EGUs) as placeholders in integrated resource plan (IRP) proceedings to ensure that IRPs consider GHG emissions goals. This will improve the accuracy of future projections of GHG emissions and can occur in the absence of new legislation.
• Explore accelerated retirement of remaining coal-fired EGUs operating in Nevada, including merchant and load-serving plants.
• Prioritize decarbonization in IRP proceedings as part of, or in addition to, the low-carbon base case.

Demand-Side Management Programs

• Prioritize demand-side management programs that have the effect of reducing electricity use during periods of time when renewable generating facilities cannot be relied upon (for example, when the sun is not shining).

Demand-Response Programs

• Prioritize demand-response programs that shift load to periods of time when renewable resources can be relied upon to serve the load.

Electric Utility Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning

• Provide incentives to promote electric vehicle infrastructure/rate structure for more ZEV deployment.

Regional Markets

• Evaluate regional markets (that is, potential extended day-ahead markets or the California Independent System Operator’s Western Energy Imbalance Market) as new tools to integrate more renewables into the grid and to realize more renewable efficiency gains.

Grid Modernization

• Provide for the analysis of and/or initiatives to support a modernized grid that will:
• Promote resilience and protection from future disruptive events, including natural disasters;
• Continue to rate Nevada high on the grid modernization index;
• Be optimized for a changing supply and demand profile with technologies that:
  • Provide the flexibility and optimization, without undue strain on the grid, to integrate increasing:
    1. Distributed energy resources,
    2. Renewable energy resources, and
    3. Electric vehicles;
• Be capable of serving as a platform to allow flexibility and the integration of non-wire solutions such as demand- and supply-side software and hardware resources; and
• Ensure the grid is optimized for additional opportunities to reduce GHG emissions.

INDUSTRY

Fuel Switching

• Provide incentives for stationary combustion sources that fuel switch to less-carbon-intense fuels. 

Energy Efficiency

• Provide incentives for the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and practices; including more-efficient ways to light and heat industrial facilities or to run equipment.

Reduce, Capture, and Recycle Ozone-Depleting Substance Substitutes

• Evaluate replacement, capture, and recycling (or other measures) that reduce the usage of ozone-depleting substance (ODS) substitutes. 

Oil and Natural Gas Production

• Adopt more-stringent controls on emissions from oil and natural gas exploration, production, transmission, and distribution systems beyond the current federal emissions limitation requirements.

Industrial Processes

• Adopt more-stringent controls to capture and prevent the release of industrial process emissions.

Sustainability

• Promote the production of industrial products from materials that are recycled or renewable, rather than producing new products from raw materials.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

Energy Efficiency

• Provide incentives for the renovation of existing homes and businesses to reduce their energy demand/make their homes more energy efficient.
• Adopt a stretch code that improves energy efficiency in new construction by 20% above the currently adopted International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
• Establish a program that assists state, county, and municipal government agencies with the adoption, implementation, and compliance with the most recently published IECC on a three-year cycle.
• Adopt a statewide benchmarking program utilizing the Energy Star program to track water and energy consumption within the built environment. The program would be established such that once the benchmarking is completed, within a year of the establishment of the program, the energy efficiency measures identified through an energy audit will be prioritized and implemented to reach a specific goal. The program would be open to public and private buildings and will provide a challenge and reward mechanism for the buildings that participate and achieve the GHG emissions-reduction goals set forth within the program.
• Perform and provide an energy audit to buyers during the purchase of a residence, similar to an appraisal or home inspection. The audit should be provided to the potential owner prior to the closing to allow for the negotiation of implementing the measures before the closing occurs. This will increase awareness of efficiency measures available to the buyer along with the cost/benefit of implementing the measures to allow further insight into total home ownership costs.
• Adopt disclosure documents for potential property purchasers or renters to include overall estimated cost of operating the home or business to include energy and transportation costs (similar to what is currently provided with new appliances).
• Establish and adopt appliance energy efficiency standards. Create a timeline for residential and commercial properties to update appliances, which includes switching lighting throughout the building or residence from less-efficient technologies to the most current technologies that provide a higher level of efficiency.
• Establish a comprehensive on-site energy efficiency program that can be utilized by residential, commercial, and public-sector buildings to increase energy efficiency. The program should include occupant engagement and provide techniques for the occupants to increase efficiencies throughout the space.
• Provide incentives to increase renewable-energy-sourced electrification of the built environment. Incentives would be provided for new construction as well as for existing buildings, both residential and commercial, to switch from fossil fuels to all electric.
• Further develop and adopt the commercial property-assessed clean energy (PACE) program statewide.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of adopting a statewide residential PACE program.

Reduce or Eliminate Fossil Fuel Use

• Provide incentives for the conversion of fossil-fuel-dependent appliances to renewable-energy-sourced electric alternatives (examples include stoves, water heaters, and furnaces).
• Evaluate a freeze or limitation on the installation of gas lines to newly constructed homes and businesses.

Distributed Energy Storage

• Provide incentives for the purchase of distributed energy storage at homes and businesses.
• Battery packs at residential and commercial buildings could store renewable electricity and use it when fossil-fuel-fired electricity is the only option, effectively reducing emissions.

Infrastructure Improvements in Homes and Businesses to Facilitate Transition to Zero-Emissions Vehicles

• Provide incentives for installation of charging infrastructure in existing facilities.
• Provide incentives for inclusion of EV charging infrastructure in new residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
• Establish a planning process to develop robust ZEV infrastructure for all vehicle types across a broad set of stakeholders, including:
• • A ZEV infrastructure planning process developed and implemented by an electric utility or rural electric cooperative;
  • Opportunities to incentivize and increase the development of workplace charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at existing commercial and industrial facilities;
  • Opportunities to incentivize and increase the development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles for all types of existing residences, including those in underserved and rural areas;
  • Opportunities to incentivize and increase electric vehicle readiness for the new built environment by facilitating the addition of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in new residential, commercial, and industrial settings;
  • Opportunities to support the increased development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state, county, and local government buildings; and
  • Incentivize and encourage the purchase of ZEV’s that will utilize this infrastructure.

• Promote awareness and utilization of existing ZEV incentive and rebate programs.

Funding Opportunities

• Establish a revolving loan fund to be utilized by state and local government wherein the realized savings are collected back into the account and used to further energy-efficiency measures across the existing building stock.
• Provide enhanced incentives through the Nevada Clean Energy Fund for the implementation of renewable energy, energy storage systems, and energy-efficiency measures in residential and commercial structures.
• Establish a loan program with local credit unions to offer low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for residential properties.
• Collaborate with utility companies, local municipalities, and rural cooperatives to utilize on-bill financing for energy-efficiency improvements in both residential and commercial properties.

Contracting

• Utilize energy saving performance contracting to identify opportunities for energy conservation measures and implement the measures that will have the largest effect on reducing GHGs. Performance contracting is well-suited for large commercial buildings as well as state-, county-, and city-owned or -leased buildings.

Workforce Development

• Establish a clean energy workforce development program to increase training and education around climate action policies and new energy efficiency technologies to ensure a next-generation Nevada workforce with the knowledge needed to reach the statewide GHG emissions-reduction goals.

WASTE

Expand Efforts to Convert Fugitive Methane (CH₄) Emissions to CO₂

• Provide incentives for flaring and landfill-gas-to-energy (LGFTE) practices in solid waste landfills and wastewater treatment plants.
• Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) data can be utilized to identify landfills where the potential for flaring or LFGTE exists.

Prioritize Biogas Recovered from Landfills and Wastewater Treatment Facilities for Transportation

• Promote the use of biogas recovered from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities for transportation needs, rather than for electricity generation, where renewable alternatives for electricity generation are already present or can be adopted.

Sustainability Practices to Reduce Methane Emissions

• Promote or adopt practices that reduce waste production.
• Promote or adopt practices that increase diversion of organic waste.
• Provide incentives for construction of anaerobic digesters for the diversion of food waste and flaring and LGFTE practices of captured methane emissions.

AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Land Management Activities

• Promote and provide incentives for the adoption of silvopasture practices.
• Promote manure and nitrogen fertilizer management practices that reduce GHG emissions. 
• Promote practices to reduce emissions from enteric fermentation. 

Carbon Sequestration

• Provide incentives to sequester carbon through land restoration and retirement, thereby removing highly erodible or environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production.
• Promote “no-till” and “low-till” farmland management practices to protect soil from erosion. 
• Promote hedgerow, windbreaks, and shelterbelts best practices to protect soil from erosion.
• Explore opportunities and incentives to increase carbon sequestration on agricultural and range lands.

LAND USE, LAND USE CHANGE, AND FORESTRY

Carbon Sequestration

• Promote land management practices that increase carbon sequestration by natural lands that are typical and/or native to Nevada.
• Expand specific programs (an example being nursery programs) to restore and enhance habitats, including wetlands, with measurable carbon sequestration co-benefits through the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Division of Natural Heritage.
• Expand existing efforts to protect sagebrush habitat through the use of the Sage Grouse Protection Conservation Credit System to include carbon sequestration co-benefits.
• Promote enhanced forest biomass utilization with stringent emissions controls, such as restarting the biomass cogeneration plant located at the Northern Nevada Conservation Camp in Carson City.

Urban Forestry

• Promote urban reforestation and management.
• Adopt requirements for increased tree coverage when constructing residences and commercial buildings to increase canopy coverage and reduce heat-island effects in urban areas. Strictly enforced requirements will help reduce the urban-heat island effect as a driver of record-setting temperature increases in Las Vegas and Reno.

Decrease Risk of Catastrophic Wildfire Events

• Promote land management practices that decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfire events. Such efforts must include comprehensive planning to create more resilient landscapes to prevent wildland fires, and during restoration efforts after fire events.