[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 41452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17352]


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


Draft Guidance, ``Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and 
Reporting''

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ``Federal Greenhouse 
Gas Accounting and Reporting.''

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SUMMARY: On October 5, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 
(E.O.) 13514--Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic 
Performance (74 FR 52117) in order to establish an integrated strategy 
toward sustainability in the Federal Government and to make reduction 
of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a priority for Federal agencies. 
Among other provisions, E.O. 13514 requires agencies to measure, 
report, and reduce their GHG emissions.
    Section 9(a) of E.O. 13514 directed the Department of Energy's 
(DOE's) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), in coordination with 
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Defense (DoD), 
General Services Administration (GSA), Department of the Interior 
(DOI), Department of Commerce (DOC), and other agencies as appropriate, 
to develop recommended Federal GHG reporting and accounting procedures. 
On April 5, 2010, DOE-FEMP submitted the final recommendations on 
Federal GHG reporting and accounting procedures to the Chair, Council 
on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
    Section 5(a) of E.O. 13514 directed that the Chair of CEQ issue 
guidance for Federal GHG accounting and reporting. Based on the final 
recommendations, CEQ has prepared a draft guidance document. CEQ is 
committed to open government principles and leading by example to 
ensure that the Federal Government is transparent in its processes for 
accounting and reporting of Federal GHG emissions.
    The Federal Government seeks to continually improve both the 
quality of data and methods necessary for calculating GHG emissions. 
Over time, additional requirements, methodologies and procedures will 
be included in revisions to this document and supporting documents to 
improve the Federal Government's overall ability to accurately account 
for and report GHG emissions. In particular, while a detailed approach 
to accepted and peer-reviewed life cycle methodologies is beyond the 
scope of the current version of this guidance document, the Federal 
Government is interested in including such approaches in future 
versions, and may request comment on inclusion of life cycle 
methodologies in future versions of this Guidance document.
    CEQ provides this draft guidance for public review and comment to 
ensure accessibility of Federal accounting and reporting requirements 
and to enhance the quality of public involvement in governmental 
decisions relating to the environment.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before August 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The Draft Guidance, ``Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and 
Reporting'' documents are available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/sustainability. Comments on the Draft Guidance, ``Federal Greenhouse 
Gas Accounting and Reporting,'' should be submitted electronically to 
[email protected], or in writing to The Council on Environmental 
Quality, Attn: Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler, 722 Jackson Place, NW., 
Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler, Senior 
Program Manager, Office of the Environmental Executive (OFEE) at (202) 
456-5117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Chair, Council on Environmental Quality 
is required, under section 5(a) of E.O. 13514, to issue guidance for 
Federal agency greenhouse gas accounting and reporting. Federal 
agencies are required, under Section 2(c) of E.O. 13514, to establish 
and report to the CEQ Chair and OMB Director a comprehensive inventory 
of absolute GHG emissions, including scope 1, scope 2, and specified 
scope 3 emissions for fiscal year 2010, and thereafter, annually.
    The Draft Guidance, ``Federal Greenhouse Gas Accounting and 
Reporting'' establishes government-wide requirements for Federal 
agencies in calculating and reporting GHG emissions associated with 
agency operations. The Draft Guidance is accompanied by a separate 
Draft Technical Support Document for Federal GHG Accounting and 
Reporting (TSD), which provides detailed information on Federal 
inventory reporting requirements and calculation methodologies. 
Specifically, CEQ is interested in comments on section/chapter 4 
regarding renewable energy. CEQ will seek public comment on this draft 
guidance for 30 days.
    Public comments are requested on or before August 16, 2010.

    Dated: July 12, 2010.
Nancy H. Sutley,
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. 2010-17352 Filed 7-15-10; 8:45 am]
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