What are the largest sources of global
warming emissions in California? The list is out
Nov 23 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Paul Rogers San Jose Mercury
News, Calif.
When it comes to global warming, California has begun keeping score.
The state Air Resources Board this past week finished tallying and made
public the list of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state.
The first-of-its-kind rankings show that oil refineries, power plants
and cement plants lead all industrial facilities statewide in pumping
out carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning fossil fuels that has been
building up in the Earth's atmosphere in increasing concentrations.
The single largest California emitter last year was the Chevron oil
refinery in Richmond, which emitted 4.8 million metric tons of
greenhouse gases. Second was the Shell refinery in Martinez, with 4.5
million metric tons, followed by the BP and Chevron refineries in Carson
and El Segundo, near Los Angeles. Rounding out fifth place was the
Dynegy Power Plant at Moss Landing, a massive 1950s-era structure on the
Monterey Bay that burns natural gas to create electricity for much of
Northern California.
"This shows a commitment by California to move forward with real action
to address climate change," said Stanley Young, a spokesman for the Air
Resources Board. "We need accurate accounting to be sure we are getting
the reductions that we are planning for."
The largest emitter in Santa Clara County was the Metcalf Energy Center,
a power plant built in 2005 by Calpine in south San Jose. The plant
ranked 27th among statewide industrial sources, with 1.27
million metric tons.
Second in the county was Lehigh Cement Plant in Cupertino, ranking 47th
statewide, with 709,347 metric tons, and third was the Cardinal Cogen
Plant, which produces electricity for Stanford University, ranking 64th
with 477,642 metric tons.
All data were compiled and submitted by the facilities themselves. The
accounting is required under AB 32, the landmark global warming law Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger signed in 2005.
Industrial sources and power plants make up 43 percent of California's
greenhouse emissions, with transportation at 36 percent. A separate
California law requires all new cars sold statewide to reduce greenhouse
emissions 30 percent by 2016.
Environmentalists praised the reporting rules.
"What are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases? It's important to
know," said Jim Metropulos, a spokesman for Sierra Club California. "We
should focus on the largest sources first. Spotlighting, transparency
and holding people accountable are important."
The Air Resources Board worked to create uniform software for each
industrial facility to tally its emissions. Verification by a third
party -- essentially a pollution accountant trained by the state -- is
also required under state law. Any industrial facilities that emit more
than 25,000 metric tons a year of carbon dioxide or related greenhouse
gases are required to report. In California last year, 605 facilities
passed that threshold.
Five coal-burning power plants in Utah and Wyoming that sell electricity
in California also are included, and topped all California industrial
sources, including the Chevron Richmond refinery.
Young said the emissions totals will be used as a baseline as California
prepares to launch a "cap and trade" market in 2012. Under such a
market, which is used in Europe, companies are given a limit of the
amount of pollution they can put out, and if they produce less, they can
sell credits to other companies to help them meet their required amount.
A bill passed by the House in June and pending in the U.S. Senate would
require similar mandatory greenhouse emissions limits and a trading
market for the entire United States.
Oil industry officials said their facilities top the list because they
use large amounts of natural gas to heat crude oil and convert it to
gasoline, diesel and jet fuel -- products that Californians demand.
"We use about 45 million gallons of gasoline a day in California," said
Tupper Hull, a spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association.
"It's easy to criticize refineries, but everyone forgets they produce
the cleanest burning gasoline on Earth and it is central to the economic
vitality of the state."
Hull said that the oil industry already is working to make its
facilities more efficient and investigating research into storing carbon
dioxide underground. The industry, he added, also will participate in
California's carbon trading market.
"The low-hanging fruit is to increase your efficiencies," he said. "Any
time you can get more use out of natural gas, that will result in
reduced greenhouse gas."
Contact Paul Rogers at 408-920-5045.
Top Emitters of Greenhouse Gases in California, 2008
(in metric tons)
1. Chevron Refinery, Richmond: 4,792,052
2. Shell Oil Refinery, Martinez: 4,570,475
3. BP Refinery, Carson: 4,504,286
4. Chevron Refinery, El Segundo: 3,603,446
5. Dynegy Power Plant, Moss Landing: 2,962,149
6. Exxon Refinery, Torrance: 2,852,374
7. Valero Refinery, Benicia: 2,796,057
8. Tesoro Refinery, Martinez: 2,703,145
9. Southern Calif. Edison-Mountainview Power Plant, Redlands: 2,697,142
10. La Paloma Power Plant, McKittrick: 2,544,398
Source: California Air Resources Board
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To see the list of industrial facilities in California and their 2008
greenhouse gas emissions, go to: www.arb.ca.gov/cc/reporting/ghg-rep/ghg-reports.htm.
For an interactive map showing the location of each facility, go to
www.kqed.org/news/climatewatch
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