In 2008, EPA's Climate Leaders Program developed tools and resources to help smaller companies measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time, Climate Leaders began including "low emitters"--companies that emit less than 10,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) on an annual corporate-wide basis--into the program. Since then, approximately 70 such companies have joined Climate Leaders.
       Due to the current and expected growing number of small businesses that are interested in joining the program, EPA has determined that a new way of engaging them would enable the program to continue to deliver quality GHG management tools, technical assistance and public recognition within existing resources. The paper here http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/documents/small_business_approach.pdf outlines a new approach to engaging small businesses.
       EPA is seeking feedback from partners and others, in particular from small businesses to ensure that the proposed new approach meets their needs most effectively and from large companies to determine how this model can best assist their small suppliers in reducing their emissions.
       Using the feedback form appended to the attached paper, please send any comments to Verena Radulovic at Radulovic.Verena@epa.gov by 9:00 pm EDT, Friday, October 16, 2009. This document will also be available in the coming days on the Climate Leaders website at www.epa.gov/climateleaders until October 16, 2009. Proposed changes to the Program's engagement with small businesses would take effect on January 1, 2010.

        On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting
greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation's GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.
       "This is a major step forward in our effort to address the greenhouse gases polluting our skies," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "For the first time, we begin collecting data from the largest facilities in this country, ones that account for approximately 85 percent of the total U.S. emissions. The American public, and industry itself, will finally gain critically important knowledge and with this information we can determine how best to reduce those emissions."
       Most small businesses would fall below the 25,000-metric-ton threshold,EPA said, and would not be required to report their emissions. The only agricultural sources that are required to report their emissions are manure management systems at livestock operations where greenhouse gas emissions meet or exceed the 25,000-ton limit. About 100 livestock operations meet that threshold, EPA said.
       EPA's new reporting system will provide a better understanding of where GHGs are coming from and will guide development of policies and programs to reduce emissions. The data will also allow businesses to track their own emissions, compare them to similar facilities, and provide assistance in identifying cost effective ways to reduce emissions in the future.
       The first annual reports for the largest emitting facilities, covering calendar year 2010, will be submitted to EPA in 2011. Vehicle and engine manufacturers outside of the light-duty sector will begin phasing in GHG reporting with model year 2011.
       Thanks to ASME Capitol Update for the story.  More information on the new reporting system and reporting requirements, are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html

Thanks to Jean Waters for her overview of USEPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager.  As she mentioned, several on-line courses are available for specific interests.  Tomorrow's courses, for example are https://energystar.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=energystar are a one hour course entitled "Portfolio Manager 101 for Congregations" and a two hour course entitled "Best Practices to Improve Energy Performance: Commercial Real Estate." 

The regularly scheduled Green Business Council meeting will convene at 3:30 at the Whole Foods, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room next to the coffee bar. 

Presenter will be Jean Waters, the manager of an SBA funded regional energy efficiency for small business project. http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/energy/index2.cfm  She will present on the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager

GBC Co-chair Rick Yoder will have an update on the Green Business Certification protocol. 

Green Drinks will follow at 5:30.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=130334138730&ref=ts

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Green Business Council | Green Omaha Coalition
www.greenomahacoalition.org

Green Seal's GS-46 Becomes American National Standard For Restaurants and Food Services
         Green Seal Inc. is pleased to announce that the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services, GS-46, has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). First published in May 2009, GS-46 is based on real data on the environmental impacts of restaurants and food services including the impacts of food, energy and water use, and supplies. As a result, the GS-46 standard provides a comprehensive framework to guide operations on how to reduce their environmental impacts and is the basis for Green Seal Certification.
        GS-46 is the first Green Seal specification to be approved as an American National Standard. According to ANSI, "The procedures used by the standards body in connection with the development of American National Standards meet the Institute's Essential Requirements for openness, balance, consensus and due process."  
        GS-46 was developed with input from over one hundred stakeholders including industry trade groups, operators, suppliers, academia and environmental and health organizations. In addition to its ANSI accreditation, Green Seal
follows ISO 14024 guidelines in developing environmental standards and certifying products.  Green Seal standards also comply with the Global Ecolabelling Criteria.      
        "Green Seal is proud to have this important standard approved by ANSI," said Dr. Arthur Weissman, President and CEO.  "ANSI approval validates the consensus and procedural processes used by Green Seal in developing GS-46 as an American National Standard."
 
http://greenseal.org/newsroom/pr_restaurant_standard.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS130585+09-Sep-2009+PRN20090909

OZARKS GREENSCORE - Springfield, MO's own Green Business Certification focuses on "educating, motivating and assisting area businesses and organizations in adopting environmentally sustainable practices." The certification involves six steps (1. reviewing the resource documents, 2. implementing recommended strategies, 3. identifying additional strategies, 4. completing an online assessment, 5. a free onsite assessment by an Ozarks GreenScore representative, 6. recognition as an Ozarks GreenScore organization), and is general enough to encompass most businesses in the area. The certification encourages improvements in 13 areas (Energy efficiency, Water conservation, Carbon Footprint analysis, Water quality protection, Wastewater management, Air quality protection, Solid waste reduction/recycling, Hazardous waste reduction, Responsible building practices, Low impact grounds maintenance, Vehicle fleet maintenance, Community involvement, Stormwater management) and awards qualifying businesses with one of four recognition levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Green). For more information see www.ozarksgreenscore.com.

I've had the pleasure of talking with Gil before at a couple of P2 meetings and I just ordered his new book. http://www.natlogic.com/approach/publications/the-truth-about-green-business/ In his presentation at the Commonwealth Club on Aug 18 he claims the book has a good deal of practical information as well as theoretical.  I'll let you know after I get a chance to look through it.  In the meantime, the Club presentation is available for your viewing pleasure here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKB20j4sWAE

A survey done by the Shelton Group, an ad agency that crafts messages to motivate consumers towards sustainable actions, offers six myths about green consumers. No big surprise for those of us who have been paying attention, but it may be surprising to those who are shifting priorities to the growing green market. High on the list is the myth that economics tops the environment as the primary concern of consumers when they purchase sustainable products or engage in sustainable practices, according to a survey of U.S. consumers. When asked the most important reason to reduce energy consumption, 73% of respondents chose "to reduce my bills/control costs" and only 26% chose "to lessen my impact on the environment."

Here are the list and the links:
1. Myth: Green consumers' top concern is the environment.
2. Myth: Green consumers' main motivation when reducing their energy use is to save the planet.
3. Myth: Green consumers are all-knowledgeable about environmental issues.
4. Myth: Green consumers fall into a simple demographic profile.
5. Myth: Children play a big part in influencing their parents to be green.
6. Myth: If people just knew the facts they'd make greener choices.

http://www.sheltongroupinc.com/blog/?p=605

And for the low, low price of $5,000, you can get the report.  http://www.sheltongroupinc.com/research/green_living_pulse.php