Greenhouse Gas – California Climate Action Registry Technical Assistance, Los Angeles County ISD

Encompassing over 4,000 square miles, with a population of over 10 million (28% of all California residents), the County of Los Angeles is one of the largest municipalities in the United States. As a municipality, Los Angeles County contains 88 incorporated cities, and has over 100,000 employees in over 40 County Departments.

In early 2007, under directive from the Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles County joined the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR). Membership in the registry requires Los Angeles County to calculate and report their entity-wide GHG emissions. GHG emissions include electricity use, motor vehicles (and other mobile combustion sources), stationary combustion sources, and power generation emissions. In order to obtain certification for GHG emissions reporting, Los Angeles County must compile records in order to validate the emissions inventory and reporting. In 2007, Los Angeles County used over 11 million gallons of fuels (gasoline, diesel, aviation fuels, etc.)

SCS Engineers is assisting the County with development of methodologies to compile and report countywide GHG emissions. Specific project elements performed by SCS include:

• Review of current county information systems to determine the most effective way for the County to track and report GHG emissions.
• Assist the County in developing organizational boundaries for reporting GHG emissions.
• Advise on the feasibility of development of a baseline reporting year for the County.
• Provide guidance on calculating indirect and direct emissions.
• Development of methodologies for future GHG inventory and reporting.
• Perform spot auditing of various County departments and facilities to ensure complete reporting of GHG emissions.