Contact:
Terrie Prosper
CA Public Utilities Commission
415.703.1366
Joel Levin
CA Climate Action Registry
213.891.6927
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
PUC Joins California Climate Action Registry to Address Climate Change
SAN FRANCISCO, California - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today announced that it has joined a key group of environmental leaders as a member of the California Climate Action Registry, a non-profit organization recognized as a standard setter for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a participant in the Registry, the PUC will voluntarily measure and report all of its GHG emissions, the main contributors to global warming, on an annual basis.
The PUC is responsible for regulating privately owned electric, telecommunications, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. In June, the Commission requested that its regulated utilities (Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and San Diego Gas and Electric Company) address key issues pertaining to climate change as part of their long-term energy procurement planning. This includes internal planning and measurement of GHGs, the utilities current GHG emissions profile, and what steps the utilities' have taken to minimize the release of these gases. The Commission also expects that other companies under its jurisdiction and across industry lines will participate in measuring GHG emissions as well.
Joining the Registry is another strong statement by the PUC about the importance of climate change for California and the role that private utilities and other regulated companies can play in managing the threat of climate change.
Michael R. Peevey, president of the PUC, has been a vocal advocate of strong state policies to address climate change. He was also the recipient of the Registry's Climate Action Champion Award for 2004.
"Cleaner electricity production is an essential factor in solving climate change issues. It is important that the California power industry demonstrate leadership on this issue. Participation in the California Registry allows companies to get a full picture of their greenhouse gas emissions. This is a critical first step in reducing those emissions," said President Peevey, who has been at the forefront of the climate change issue in the power sector.
The Registry, created by California statute in 2001, helps companies and organizations establish GHG emissions baselines against which any future GHG emission reduction requirements may be applied. The results are certified by independent organizations to ensure accuracy, and the State of California will work to ensure that participants receive appropriate consideration in any future state, federal, or international regulatory scheme governing greenhouse gas emissions.
"The PUC is sending a strong message by stepping up and measuring its own greenhouse gas emissions," said Diane Wittenberg, president of the Registry. "We anticipate that their leadership on this issue will act as a signal for private companies to think about greenhouse gas management as a strategic business decision."
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The California Public Utilities Commission regulates privately owned electric, telecommunications, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. The PUC is responsible for assuring that California utility customers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting utility customers from fraud, and promoting the health of California's economy. For more information, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 40 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. More information is available at www.climateregistry.org.
