Spring 2012

US EPA Guides to Developing and Implementing GHG Reduction Programs

Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing GHG Reduction Programs

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program released a final version of Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs (PDF) (72 pp, 5.3 MB). This guide describes how local governments can lead by example and achieve multiple benefits by improving the energy efficiency of their new, existing, and renovated facilities and their day-to-day operations. It is designed to be used by facility managers, energy and environment staff, other local government agencies, and mayors and city councils.

Readers of the guide will come away with an understanding of options to improve the energy efficiency of municipal facilities and operations, and how to motivate the private sector and other stakeholders to follow suit. Readers will also understand the steps and considerations involved in developing and implementing these energy efficiency improvements, as well as an awareness of expected investment and funding opportunities.

Landfill Gas Energy: A Guide to Developing and Implementing GHG Reduction Programs

EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program and Landfill Methane Outreach Program have released a final version of Landfill Gas Energy: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs. Learn how communities can achieve energy, environmental, health, and economic benefits by using landfill gas (LFG) recovered from municipal solid waste landfills as a source of renewable energy. It is designed to be used by local governments, regulatory and planning agencies, developers, contractors, project partners, energy service companies, and end users, including business and industrial customers who work with project owners.

The guide is available under Renewable Energy resources at: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/resources/strategy-guides.html#renewable

EPA’s Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series

The Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series provides a comprehensive, straightforward overview of green­house gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies that local governments can employ. Topics include energy efficiency, transportation, community planning and design, solid waste and materials management, and renewable energy. City, county, territorial, tribal, and regional government staff and elected officials can use these guides to plan, implement, and evaluate climate and energy projects.

Each guide in the series provides an overview of project benefits, policy mechanisms, investments, key stakeholders, and other implementation considerations. Examples and case studies highlighting achievable results from programs implemented in communities across the United States are incorporated throughout the guides.

While each guide stands on its own, the entire series contains many interrelated strategies that can be combined to create comprehensive, cost-effective programs that generate multiple benefits. For example, efforts to improve energy efficiency can be combined with transportation and community planning and design programs to reduce GHG emissions, and decrease the costs of energy.

For more information, visit the Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy web page: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/resources/strategy-guides.html