New Software for a New Reporting Cycle

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is pleased to announce the launch of the sixth reporting cycle of the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program and with it, new software. In the last week of March we mailed out our updated CD-ROM, the Electronic Form for Data Through 1999 and 1998 Public Use Database. This software, also available from our web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntvrgg.html, offers the Public Use Database with all non-confidential reports received to date by the Voluntary Reporting Program, the updated electronic form, and a library of documents and reporting tools. For more details on this year's changes to the software, see the "PC Corner" on the back page of this newsletter..

If you need technical assistance in preparing your Form EIA-1605 or EIA-1605EZ, have any questions, or have not received the software or paper forms, we encourage you to give us a call. Our Communications Center is open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) and can be reached toll free at 1-800-803-5182 or by email at infoghg@eia.doe.gov.

During this reporting cycle we are collecting information on activities conducted through 1999. To be included in the next update of the Public Use Database, reports must be certified and submitted by June 1, 2000. If you expect to have difficulty in meeting this deadline, contact the Communications Center at 1-800-803-5182 or infoghg@eia.doe.gov.

Several U.S. Senate bills have been introduced in this session of Congress that would affect EIA's Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program. These bills include S.547, "Credit for Voluntary Reductions Act," S.882, "Energy and Climate Policy Act of 1999," and S.1776, "Climate Change Energy Policy Response Act". (These bills were summarized in the October and December 1999 editions of The Greenhouse Gas Volunteer, which are available through our web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntvrgg.html.) Recent activity in the Senate has focused on S.882 and S.1776, the bills intended to enhance the Voluntary Reporting Program.

EIA was invited to brief the staff of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program on February 8. This briefing was conducted by Program staff with the Administrator of EIA, Jay Hakes, in attendance. Topics discussed at the briefing included: background on the development and implementation of the Voluntary Reporting Program; organization of the voluntary reporting forms; forms review and verification process; emissions accounting issues in the context of a "credit for early action" program; and the current benefits of voluntary reporting.

Shortly after this briefing, the Administrator received an invitation to testify at a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on S.882 and S.1776. Dr. Hakes' testimony before the Committee on March 30, 2000 provided an overview of the Program, shared EIA's understanding of the important emissions accounting issues gained through developing and managing the Program, and addressed some of the implications of the proposed legislation. A copy of this testimony has been posted to our web site. For the full text of the proposed legislation and information regarding bill status, please visit http://thomas.loc. gov/home/thomas2.html.

Software Upgrades Improvements to this year's software include an upgrade from 16- to 32-bit processing. This change ensures compatibility with more up-to-date software applications and takes advantage of the more advanced functionality of newer 32-bit applications. You will most likely not be aware of the change-over, unless you have been querying the Public Use Database with older Standard Query Language (SQL) applications such as Microsoft Access 2.0. If you have been using 16-bit SQL applications, you will now need to upgrade to 32-bit versions (e.g. Access97 or better). If this upgrade presents a problem for you, please contact our Communications Center. There are several changes to this year's reporting form, including: a new Section 1 Project Type (121, Zero/low Emitting Power Purchases); two new Fuel Types (Petroleum Coke and Tires/Tire-Derived Fuel); a revised Auto Calculate feature in Schedule III of the form that correctly calculates Total Emissions (Part IVa) and Total Reductions (Part IVb) from data entered in Parts I, II and III if the box marked "Auto Calculate" is checked; and updated recycling and carbon sequestration worksheets, as well as the Climate Wise Reporting Primer (a guide to voluntary reporting for Climate Wise participants), that are also posted on our web site. We hope these additions are beneficial. As always, we encourage you to let us know of any other features you would like to see in the software. Program Web Site Revamped Next time you visit our web site you will notice some changes. We have streamlined and reorganized the site. Our intention was to make the layout more intuitive and user-friendly. Our homepage can be found at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntvrgg.html. Take a few seconds to browse the site and contact us toll-free at 1-800-803-5182 or by email at infoghg@eia.doe.gov if you have any suggestions for improvements.

Forest Service Methods Aid Urban Foresters The Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station has developed methods for determining the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide reductions associated with urban forestry programs. Carbon Dioxide Reduction Through Urban Forestry: Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree Planters (General Technical Report PSW-GTR-171) is designed to be used by utilities, urban foresters/arborists, municipalities, consultants, and others interested in estimating the carbon sequestration and energy savings benefits of planting trees in urban settings. The analysis examines existing tree cover and housing stock, the size and type of trees planted, whether the trees are planted within 50 feet of buildings, the climate region, and emissions factors for heating and cooling. Look-up tables are provided for estimating the effects of shading on cooling and heating, the effect of reduced wind speed on heating, climate effects, sequestration, decomposition, maintenance, and other program-related effects over a 40-year period. Copies of this document can be ordered from the Pacific Southwest Research Station's web site at http://www.psw.fs.fed.us/Tech_Pub/order.html or by calling Richard Schneider at (970) 498-1703. Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Communications Center at 1-800-803-5182 or infoghg@eia.doe.gov. Early Bird Reporters The first 1999 data reports are in! Special recognition for filing the first report of the 1999 data reporting cycle goes to: Shrewsbury's Electric Light Plant This report was closely followed by: Abe Krasne Home Furnishings, Inc. Arizona Electric Power Coop. Arizona Public Service Company DeBourgh Manufacturing Company LAHD Energy, Inc. Missouri River Energy Services North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company World Parks Endowment We encourage you all to follow suit and send your reports in before the June 1 reporting deadline!

For More Information About Voluntary Reporting... Voice: 1-800-803-5182 or 202-586-0688 Fax: (202) 586-3045 E-mail: infoghg@eia.doe.gov Internet: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntvrgg.html FTP: fttp://ftp.eia.doe.gov/pub/oiaf/1605/cdrom Mailing Address: Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, EI-81, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585.