MEMA has learned that an interagency report on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategies led by the California EPA (Cal/EPA) is expected to recommend agencies pursue more than two dozen rules now under consideration, including further vehicle technology improvements and more ethanol in gasoline.

The report, designed to aide the state’s EPA in meeting GHG emission reduction targets set by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, also includes recommendations for tighter energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances, a major solar power initiative, reforestation and landfill methane capture, according to reports.

The strategies cross several government agencies, including Resources; Business, Transportation & Housing; Department of Food & Agriculture; California Energy Commission; and the California Public Utilities Commission. They include conservation projects, manure management, heavy-duty vehicles, biodiesel blends, combined heat and power initiatives, cement manufacturing and smart land use.

Sources are reporting that California’s Climate Action Team (CAT) will not include recommendations for a specific carbon cap-and-trade program in a draft report. However, CAT staff is expected to present options and make recommendations regarding what is needed to develop a program.

In addition, officials are expected to recommend that the governor press more companies to join the California Climate Change Registry and voluntarily report their carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions. Sources suggest that the CAT members may also recommend that the registry be transferred into Cal/EPA. The registry is currently a quasi-governmental agency and a transferring of the program would require approval by the California state legislature.