Ongoing discussions about global warming and environmental stewardship and events like Earth Day make it nearly impossible for an individual or a company to ignore the effects of their daily living or operations on the environment. Regardless of personal opinions on the validity or severity of global warming, it is good business for companies to understand their options, remain in compliance with state and federal regulations and develop a corporate-wide strategic response.

If Global Warming is truly occurring on our planet, the cause is believed to be a buildup of greenhouse gases (GHGs). GHGs occur both naturally and through human activity. The promulgation of environmental rules in the US and worldwide are attempting to reduce the concentration of GHGs by creating penalties and/or incentives to hopefully modify corporate behavior. These rules focus on six GHGs that are believed to contribute to global warming (see table).

In December 2007, Congress passed a bill that directed the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program for mandatory GHG reporting in the United States. The legislation requires the EPA to create a draft rule in nine months and a final rule within eighteen months. Should this come to pass, how can a corporation prepare for compliance?

The best-in-class EnergyCAP software system produced by Good Steward Energy helps clients track, manage and audit their energy consumption and spend.  An integrated part of this powerful analytical tool is the GHG tracking system. The EnergyCAP software allows a corporation to accurately and efficiently:

• Identify its corporate GHG baseline inventory consistent with accounting standards, such as those in the GHG Protocol^SM Corporate Standard (www.ghgprotocol.org). This ensures complete and accurate data capture and trending over time.

• Benchmark GHG emissions and emission reductions from facility to facility.

• Distinguish between Scope 1 (direct GHG emissions from sources that the company owns or controls) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect GHG emissions resulting from purchased electricity, steam or heat).

• Interface with GHG data registries such as IPCC and the EPA’s eGRID system. This permits the automatic data conversion of corporate energy consumption into reportable GHG emissions.

• View and report on GHG emissions. Reporting options include total emissions, direct and indirect, stationary and mobile, by commodity and by GHG gas type. This allows a company to track its progress and bring visibility to the organization’s carbon reduction initiatives.

Another powerful feature of the EnergyCAP software is its integration with the EPA’s building rating system. The system compares a building’s energy performance to that of similar buildings throughout the United States. By benchmarking a portfolio of buildings, it is possible to identify exemplary performers, as well as below-average performers. This information can then be used to prioritize energy conservation investment opportunities or spot areas needing improvement with operations and maintenance.

The performance rating is calculated on a scale of 1 to 100 using building data such as square footage, building use type, local climate and energy consumption. Facilities scoring 75 or higher versus peer facilities are eligible to receive the ENERGY STAR recognition. Currently these types of facilities are tracked and scored:

• Offices
• Financial centers
• Bank branches
• Warehouses
• Hospitals
• Medical offices
• Courthouses
• Supermarkets
• K-12 schools
• Residence halls
 
For companies familiar with and currently using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager software, EnergyCAP will save time, effort and money. Its seamless integration automatically provides excellent benchmarking services and energy performance ratings.  

To learn more about all of the powerful features of EnergyCAP, contact your Corporate United representative and ask about our energy offering.