E2 has become “the independent business voice for the environment” because of the enthusiasm and hard work of our member volunteers. This month we feature profiles of seven volunteers who have made outstanding contributions in the past year: Chris Arndt (NY), Rick Degolia (CA), Berl Hartman (MA), David Readerman (CO), Laura Shenkar (CA), Jon Slangerup (CA) and Bob Wright (CA). We hope their stories will encourage you to volunteer.

Christopher Arndt (New York)
In October 2007, Chris agreed to become E2 New York’s third chapter leader, joining Roger Ullman and Wendy Neu. Chris volunteered to lead the group’s efforts on energy and global warming. Most recently, the members of the energy and global warming group helped to get New York State’s net metering bill passed. Going forward, Chris says the group would like to revive a replacement tire efficiency measure, which would place the same efficiency standards on replacement automobile tires as apply to a new automobile’s original-manufacturer tires.

Chris is a partner at Select Equity Group, a New York-based investment firm that manages $6.5 billion in public equities. He spent a lot of time in the outdoors growing up and, in particular, witnessed the transformation of the Potomac River from a filthy place that was unsuitable for any recreational activity into a river that, while still not the cleanest in the nation, was far improved. This instilled in Chris optimism about being able to improve environmental conditions and curiosity about how, politically and socially, such change could be achieved. He had already known about NRDC for several years prior to joining E2 in March 2006. Given his investment management background, several people advised Chris to look into E2 and when he sat down to lunch with Roger Ullman he realized there was indeed a fit. “I do think there is a clear need for a business voice in the environment that is not tied to a special interest and can cut through some of the stereotypes about environmental policy. E2 fills this niche.”

With E2, Chris is able to more effectively convey to legislators and the public what policies need to be in place to incentivize business managers to develop and invest in environmentally friendly products, services and/or practices. “Often the right policy can promote efficiency, competition, innovation, and environmental stewardship at the same time,” Chris believes. In this regard, he is especially interested in the problem of global warming. “It’s an exciting issue to work on because we can see that economic and technical solutions do exist, that it is a solvable problem, and we just need put into place the right policies that will allow us to apply the best solutions right away.”

While the responsibilities of chapter leadership are many, Chris appreciates and has been enjoying his involvement with E2. He cites the caliber of E2’s membership, its well-organized structure and it partnership with NRDC as the strongest draws for him. “I have an increased sense of satisfaction. I’ve been able to meet people from different walks of life and very different areas of the business world who share similar interests and values.”

Rick DeGolia (California)
Rick’s interest in environmental issues was piqued when he took a class in environmental law at Harvard Law School. The class, taught by David Roe, Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), exposed Rick to how the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) changed its rate structure to support investments in energy efficiency. Historically, utility regulators set electric and gas rates based solely on projected sales volume, which discourages utilities from promoting conservation. California was the first state to “decouple” utility sales and revenues, which dramatically changed the way utility companies approached energy. Negawatts (reduced use of electricity as a source of supply) became a valuable resource rather than something to avoid. When Rick was introduced to E2, he saw that what he learned about in class was being put into practice by E2. “It was brilliant the way the business issue was recognized and integrated with policies that benefit both the environment and business. E2 was created as an organization of business people that could focus on taking that analysis and build business support for smart environmental policy."

Rick liked that E2 focused on a critical issue – how to build environmental consciousness that delivers this message: a healthy environment is best for business. He found E2 members to be extremely active, involved in the community and intellectually engaged. He enjoyed the quality of events that provided highly informative information to anyone who is conservation-minded while respecting the busy schedules of E2 members. Rick joined E2 in 2001 and has been an active member ever since.

In addition to volunteering to be an E2 media speaker and policy advocate, Rick has been a delegate in the 2008 Washington, DC, 2008 Sacramento and 2007 Sacramento advocacy trips. Rick was called upon to provide his expertise on water management issues in California. When the California Water Board considered testimony on water policy and global warming on August 24, 2007, Rick provided testimony emphasizing both the high energy use associated with the state’s water systems and the cost effectiveness of better water management. Rick has read thousands of pages of consultant reports commissioned by the CA Energy Commission and PUC to investigate how to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (about three percent of the total reduction needed by 2020) through better water management. He and fellow E2 member Laura Shenkar (see profile below) researched and wrote a paper that estimates the impact of basic conservation with existing approaches and technologies in addressing the requirements of California’s climate change legislation, AB 32. (See “Reducing Greenhouse Gases through Improved Water Policies.”) When Ronnie Cohen, Senior Policy Analyst with NRDC’s Western Water Project, was working on California Assembly Bill 2175, the water conservation bill co-authored by Assembly Members Mike Feuer and John Laird, Rick provided feedback and analysis. AB 2175 has been passed to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Rick’s participation in E2’s advocacy efforts has changed his attitude towards the political process. He notes that, “The experience has provided a focus for me to think about and discuss the critical environmental issues of the day. E2 provides an avenue for me to engage in our political process. I haven’t been involved in politics since 1972, when I was a student at Berkeley. But having a chance to meet with state and federal legislators introduced me to the political process and inspired me to get involved.”

Berl Hartman (Massachusetts)
Berl first met E2 Co-founder Bob Epstein while working in strategic marketing at Sybase, a database software company Bob co-founded. Years later, having moved to Boston and changed jobs, Berl found herself feeling that events were heading in the wrong direction: “It was early 2003 – the dotcom bubble had burst, the Senate had just been turned over to Republicans’ hands and the start of the U.S. war in Iraq was imminent.” She got a call from Bob, inviting her to a talk he gave in Boston about E2’s successful efforts to pass a clean cars bill in California. Berl had always been interested in local politics, and at the time was particularly concerned about global warming. When Bob asked her about starting a New England chapter of E2, she agreed to do what she could, but with a caveat. “I told Bob I didn’t know anything about the environment. On a good day, maybe I recycled. He assured me I’d learn it; that it was easier than selling software.” 

Berl’s earliest efforts as Chapter Leader focused on recruitment events to build membership in New England. The chapter now has approximately 75 members and has gained four additional chapter co-leaders (see E2 Leadership webpage), all thanks to Berl’s guidance. Today, advocacy is just as important a component to the New England chapter’s activities as events. (Keep reading this issue for a summary of the advocacy accomplishments the chapter has enjoyed in just the past year.)

As a result of joining E2 and learning more about clean energy issues, Berl turned her professional skills to cleantech marketing consulting which she pursued for several years. Berl now focuses her time and energy on E2 and the New England Clean Energy Council, which she helped to found in 2007. She now serves on its board of directors and is the co-chair of the Council’s Policy Committee. She still very much enjoys both the event-planning and advocacy aspects of her E2 involvement. “E2 has become central to my perspective on issues. It showed me that when people are determined and organized they can actually make a difference. I’ve seen it this year here in Massachusetts where E2’s voice played a role in changing the environmental policy debate– and that has been very, very important.” With characteristic modesty, Berl is quick to share credit for the success of the New England chapter with her co-chapter leaders and the experts of other regional environment-oriented organizations with which she has formed close working relationships.

In addition to New England regional activities, Berl has been very active on E2’s national projects. She is a regular delegate to the annual delegation trips to Washington, DC, has participated in recent efforts to redesign E2’s website and update E2’s marketing plan, and serves on E2’s Advisory Council to help inform and guide growth and strategic direction.

David Readerman (Colorado)
As a Senior Investment Analyst at Marsico Capital Management, David Readerman’s plate is already very full – he is responsible for the Tech and Energy investment positions in global growth portfolios with over $95 billion in assets under management. Yet, when he was introduced to E2 in 2000, he believed in the business plan and became an active E2 member. Supporting E2’s mission, David notes that “clean environment is good economics; it’s profitable and sound public policy. Global growth requires energy resources and a clean, safe environment.”

David joined E2’s Delegation to Washington, DC, in 2003 and again in 2007, and participated in this year’s Department of Commerce’s "Green Trade Mission" to China and India. He is also a chapter leader and co-founder of E2’s Rocky Mountains Chapter, founded in 2007. The Rocky Mountains chapter has grown to 25 members in a short amount of time. David and fellow chapter leader Andrew Currie have applied “best practices” from other E2 chapters and adapted them to the unique character of Colorado. They are actively recruiting E2 members, building an events calendar of environmental issues, and spearheading a unique bi-partisan approach to engage both 2008 presidential campaigns in environmental discussions.

David is organizing events to expose national E2 members to the energy policies of both Senators McCain and Obama, and is working to schedule events with members of the candidates’ campaign staffs to discuss energy and climate policy agendas in their potential administrations. David strongly believes that “the United States needs a bi-partisan national energy policy. It’s not simply about wind or solar for renewable portfolio standards. It’s more than year-to-year Congressional infighting for investment tax or production tax credits. I believe that E2 – with its non-partisan, ‘we care, we vote’ membership – can and should make its voices and insights heard for Election 2008.” 

David regularly meets with key energy sector players in Washington, DC. He is uniquely positioned to make strong, non-partisan appeals for sound environmental policy that also builds economic prosperity. “My impact is that I am not a lobbyist. I pay my own way to participate. I go to bring an ounce of real-world, business perspective to the political process.”

David’s efforts have helped to increase E2’s presence in Washington, DC, and expand E2’s membership in the Rocky Mountains. But perhaps the best part about David’s tireless work is the opinion of his eight-year old son, who thinks that “Dad is cool – he wants to save the planet.”

Laura Shenkar (California)
Laura’s firm, the Artemis Project, focuses on the emergence of innovative water technology. As Principal at Artemis, Laura divides her time between helping advanced water technologies go to market and working with a limited group of leading corporations to apply advanced water technology. 

In February 2007, Laura met E2 Co-founder Bob Epstein at a Cleantech Investor Forum in San Francisco (hosted each year by the Cleantech Group), where she asked him how she could contribute to E2’s efforts to improve water management. Bob forwarded her inquiry to E2 Northern California member Rick DeGolia (see profile above), who was just starting a study for E2 that estimates the impact of basic conservation with existing approaches and technologies in addressing the requirements of California’s climate change legislation, AB 32. (See “Reducing Greenhouse Gases through Improved Water Policies.”) Laura was happy to sign on.

Having spent most of her career outside the U.S. in places where water scarcity has been a more significant issue, Laura was the perfect co-author for E2’s water study project. She brought an understanding of the potential of cutting-edge technologies that consumers, industry and agriculture could use to help remediate local water availability problems. For example, drip irrigation is well-established as a general approach in water-scarce regions similar to California, like Israel, Australia and Spain, but it is viewed as a niche solution here in the U.S., both for homes and for agriculture.

Being involved in the project also increased her base of knowledge. “This project helped broaden my understanding of the big picture for water management. The water policy paper looked at water management challenges from a policy perspective, rather than a market perspective. I gained an understanding of how advanced technologies fit in the overall potential for improved water efficiency. Low-flow toilets aren’t advanced technology, but they are an important part of California’s water efficiency strategy.”

The water policy paper has also served to prepare Laura to support other E2 initiatives. She has been working on researching and producing profiles of three water technology companies that will soon be added to the E2 Climate Campaign website’s Innovative Companies section. Over the longer term, Laura hopes to identify technologies that address the applications which offer the most energy savings: onsite water recycling, cooling towers using water rather than air, and drip irrigation.

Laura feels her time working on E2 projects has been well spent. “Usually when you provide your time pro-bono, you don’t get a lot of bang for your buck. What’s exciting and rewarding about my work with E2 is that is has been listened to – it has had the opportunity to influence policy. E2 has a very shrewd, agile approach to implementing that which is possible and most important. It is also extraordinarily effective at answering questions and understanding what conditions need to be in place to expedite the implementation of environmental solutions.”

Jon Slangerup (California)
Jon is President and CEO of ClearEdge Power, a private California-based corporation which develops, manufactures and markets fuel cell systems that generate ultra-clean power and heat for homes and small businesses. Since 2000, Jon has been engaged in the cleantech industry, previously serving as CEO of Solar Integrated Technologies, a public solar roofing company, and CEO of Stuart Energy Systems, a public hydrogen infrastructure company. Prior to his work in cleantech, Jon completed a 20-year executive career with FedEx, serving until 2000 as President of FedEx Canada.

In 2003, Dan Goldman invited Jon to join the newly forming E2 New England chapter, of which Dan is now a chapter leader. At the time, Jon was based in Toronto and while he joined and even spoke at a May 2003 Boston event, he found he didn’t have quite enough time to fully participate. When Jon moved to Los Angeles in 2005 for his work with Solar Integrated Technologies, he immediately contacted E2 and started getting more involved. “I’ve always believed the biggest focus for environmental issues has to be on government policy and legislation. Since NRDC has been so active and successful at that, and with the backing and leadership of the organization so prominent in that regard, I felt it was important for me and [wife] Tracy to support the organization. And E2 by association was a natural fit.”

Jon describes himself as a strong advocate for energy security and addressing climate change as it pertains to energy and transportation. Jon was actively involved in advocating for the passage of AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act. He was part of a team of Southern California E2 members who met with targeted legislators in their district offices to educate them about the bill, listen to their concerns, answer their questions and ultimately steer them toward voting for passage of the bill. The bill passed in August 2006, but Jon has remained heavily involved, attending implementation workshops and contributing to draft reports on specific solutions strategies. (See E2 Climate Campaign for related information.)

Jon has also volunteered considerable time and expertise as a delegate on E2’s advocacy trips to Sacramento and Washington, DC. He regards the opportunity to serve as an E2 delegate an honor and privilege. “E2 allows me to participate in the political process in a very positive, action-oriented way. There’s sincerity and power about what we’re doing that I think is never lost on the people with whom we meet. We’re not paid and not there for a specific company’s benefit. We’re there for a higher purpose, and people understand that. I think that’s why E2 has been so effective.”

With graduate and undergraduate degrees in business administration and aeronautics, Jon also has been involved with the California Hydrogen Business Council, California’s Fuel Cell Partnership, California’s Hydrogen Network Advisory Team, the U.S. Department of Energy’s International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy, E2C2’s Business Climate Network, Global Green and World Wildlife Fund. Asked why he thinks E2 stands out, Jon says he appreciates “the quality of leadership. Bob and Nicole are remarkable and inspirational in their commitment. It’s been great to be involved with a high-quality, high-charge organization. I’ve formed great friendships with people I would not have otherwise met.”

Robert Wright (California)
Bob Wright feels strongly that the conversation around the environment and business needs to change. Historically, people and organizations have generally been either pro-environment or pro-business, with very little overlap. In May of 2002, Bob was invited to attend an E2 EcoSalon, “National Energy Policy: Who’s Paying for It?”, hosted by E2 member Rick DeGolia (see Rick’s profile above). Bob was impressed with the E2 members he met as they were results-oriented entrepreneurs and innovators. He enjoyed being around like-minded individuals who are extraordinary people. In E2, Bob found an organization that “is changing the economic and environmental model that’s out there. E2 gets results. It’s both pro-business and pro-environment.” He felt so strongly about the organization that he joined five days later.

Since then, Bob has participated in many more E2 events and advocacy efforts. Most recently, Bob assisted E2 with its market re-positioning efforts. Bob, founder and principal of Marketing Arts, Inc., specializes in the creation of break-away positioning and launch strategies. Bob joined the E2 Marketing Committee and helped shape the E2 positioning and marketing message. Bob led a series of positioning workshops with the E2 marketing team to update and evolve E2’s messaging and positioning story, and to make it more relevant. The results have strengthened the E2 website, newsletter and outreach materials.

Bob’s involvement with E2 has provided him opportunities to learn about the issue that interests him the most – global warming – as well as other environmental issues that have economic implications. Bob notes that “E2 has provided me with a great education on environmental and business issues. I’ve learned about global warming, energy policy, biofuels, water management and legislative priorities. It feels good to be involved with an organization that is making an impact. E2 provides a vehicle for individuals to participate and be rewarded for their efforts. E2 increases my knowledge and education and helps me to make a difference.”

 

The Red Sox may or may not win the World Series this year, but Massachusetts residents already have much to celebrate in terms of environmental policy. A cornucopia of progressive and innovative legislation, much of which was explicitly supported by E2, places Massachusetts in an enviable position both in terms of attracting investment in the clean energy sector and addressing global warming. Made possible by unprecedented teamwork from Governor Patrick, Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, and Senate President Therese Murray, the state’s accomplishments are stunning.

• The Green Communities Act is an extremely comprehensive and progressive energy bill that provides a wide range of new and innovative policies including a mandate that utilities purchase all cost-effective efficiency that is cheaper than new supply, green building codes and an extension of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 15 percent by 2020. To help cover increases in efficiency spending, it provides funding from a variety of sources including the auction of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative pollution allowances. A range of new programs also encourage renewable energy projects, distributed generation, and combined heat and power. The bill also offers aid to "green" communities to help them implement clean energy projects. E2 testified at hearings and held many meetings with members of the legislature in support of the bill.


• Decoupling. One of the more serious structural flaws in energy policy is the fact that typical utilities make their profits by selling more gas and electricity to consumers, rather than by encouraging energy efficiency. This year the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) passed regulations that will change all that by "decoupling" utility payments from the volumetric sales of energy, thus removing a huge disincentive for utilities to encourage ratepayer conservation. The decoupling order, in combination with the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, will align utilities’ economic incentives with support for energy efficiency programs, conservation and on-site clean, renewable energy generation.


• The Global Warming Solutions Act sets enforceable state limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all sectors of the economy, mandating a reduction in GHG emissions of 10 to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, with intermediate caps for 2030 and 2040. Although the details for implementing these caps will not be known until regulations are promulgated, the emission reductions required to meet these caps must be measurable and enforceable. The Act requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish an emissions registry and reporting system and sets civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for emissions violations. E2 was frequently called on to testify on behalf of this bill by Senator Marc Pacheco, Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. This was an unexpected "bottom-of-the-ninth home run," since the bill was given up for lost until the last few days of the legislative session. Read more about E2 New England’s GWSA campaign.


• The Massachusetts Ocean Act is a landmark initiative to create a comprehensive plan to regulate ocean activities, from wind farms and ocean fishing to whale watching and environmental conservation. Using the best available science, the plan must balance all uses of the ocean with protections for marine wildlife and habitat; identify and protect special, sensitive or unique estuarine and marine habitats; and identify areas for locating appropriate scale renewable energy facilities. The law calls for the appointment of a 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission to assist in developing an integrated ocean management plan in conjunction with a nine-member Ocean Science Advisory Council. E2 has strongly advocated for this bill for over three years.


• The Green Jobs Act is designed to stimulate the creation of new jobs and also ensure that the state has the trained workforce to meet the demand. The bill creates the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center with broad responsibility for stimulating the sector and overseeing its programs. The Center will encourage public and private financing for the construction of state-of-the-art clean energy research and development facilities; provide grants to state educational institutions to develop clean energy curricula; develop clean energy technologies by investments in research and manufacturing; and provide matching grants to colleges and universities to attract federal funding for research and development in clean energy.


• The Advanced Biofuels Bill will make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to exempt cellulosic ethanol from state gasoline taxes. The bill also requires diesel fuel and oil heat distributors to start adding biodiesel or renewable diesel to their fuel blends in 2010. Significant environmental and consumer protection safeguards were built into the legislation. All qualifying fuels must achieve at least a 50-percent reduction of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions over petroleum and all fuels will be required to undergo a full lifecycle analysis, which includes "significant indirect emissions" and land-use changes. The bill also transitions the gasoline tax exemption and the biodiesel blending requirement into a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), should such a system be adopted in Massachusetts or by the federal government.


• The Environmental Bond Bill is a $1.64 billion borrowing plan for projects that include protecting natural areas, safeguarding water quality, restoring rivers and streams, providing for dam removal, supporting working farms, maintaining critical natural areas, and maintaining wetlands, parks, beaches and bike paths. The five-year bond is the largest of its type in the state’s history and will be supplemented by Governor Patrick’s pledge to dedicate $50 million per year to land conservation. The bill also includes an income tax credit to spur private land donations to nonprofit groups, the state, or cities and towns.

Beginning this month, we have improved the appearance of the E2 newsletter so it is easier to read. All the content is still there but we deliver just the beginning of each article. You can read the full article by clicking on the title. The full articles are all available at www.e2.org. Please give us feedback on the new format. Just reply to the email.

NRDC’s annual beach water quality report, released July 29, demonstrates that American beaches were often unsafe for swimming last year due to serious water contamination problems. The report, "Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches," shows that the number of closing and advisory days at our ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches was more than 20,000 for the third year in a row and the second most since the annual evaluation began 18 years ago. For the first time, the report also gives a five-star rating guide for many of the nation’s most popular beaches, highlighting those that were found to have good water quality and more rigorous monitoring for the sake of public health. The largest known source of contamination continues to be stormwater runoff. Poorly-equipped sewage and stormwater systems are partly to blame for the increasing contamination, but sprawl development in coastal areas that replaces wetlands and other natural filters along the beach is also a factor. Nancy Stoner, Director of NRDC’s Water Program, points to pending Beach Protection Act bills in the Congress that would provide funding for more updated methods of monitoring the safety of our waters, which currently leave beachgoers unknowingly vulnerable to a host of waterborne illnesses.

On August 18, NRDC filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an effort to get the agency to disclose information it has been withholding about the threats posed by pesticides to the health of honey bees. EPA rebuffed NRDC’s Freedom of Information Act requests for agency records on the impacts of certain pesticides that have been implicated in the alarming die-offs of honey bees across the country, also known as colony collapse disorder (CCD). EPA recently approved a pesticide, clothianidin, without disclosing the necessary studies demonstrating its impact on bees or even proving that the studies were carried out. The same pesticide was banned in Germany due to concerns about its effect on bees. The consequences of CCD are far-reaching, as honey bees are responsible for pollinating $15 billion worth of crops each year and contribute to one-third of the average American diet through pollination. Gabriela Chavarria, Director of NRDC’s Science Center, has spent more than 20 years studying bees and has been working alongside Senior Attorney Aaron Colangelo on this issue. Visit NRDC’s www.beesafe.org website for more information on CCD.

A U.S. district court in San Francisco approved an agreement on August 12 between conservation groups and the U.S. Navy that outlines the restricted use of low-frequency active (LFA) sonar in order to minimize harm to whales and other vulnerable species. The agreement follows a court injunction from earlier this year in which the same court agreed with a group of organizations led by NRDC that the Navy’s proposed use of LFA sonar in over 70 percent of the world’s oceans was illegal. The permit issued last year by the National Marine Fisheries Service to allow the Navy to deploy the sonar was found to violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal laws. According to the agreement, the Navy can still test and train in defined areas of the North Pacific Ocean, but also must observe special protective measures to avoid interfering with whale breeding and to preserve other critical marine habitat. The sonar in question uses extremely loud, low-frequency blasts to detect submarines, but disrupts whale and other marine mammal behavior from more than 300 miles away. Senior Attorney Joel Reynolds directs NRDC’s Marine Mammal Protection Project.

On July 31, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved aggressive new energy efficiency goals for the state’s investor-owned utilities through the year 2020. Working in cooperation with the California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission, the CPUC will seek to achieve the aggressive targets primarily through energy saving utility programs and strengthened building and appliance standards. The new efficiency targets, which will also save customers money on their utility bills, will have the practical effect of avoiding the construction of 12 new power plants and reducing global warming pollution equivalent to taking 2.4 million cars off the road from now until 2020. Audrey Chang, Director of NRDC’s California Climate Program, and Lara Ettenson, Energy Policy Analyst, led NRDC’s advocacy in the CPUC proceeding to develop the new long-term energy savings goals, which will be a key contributor to meeting AB 32.

Following a court victory that exposed efforts to issue invalid air pollution credits to big polluters in Southern California, a coalition including NRDC has sued the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) on August 18 over the validity of millions of credits given out since 1990. The AQMD, in charge of issuing credits to polluting facilities that demonstrate reductions in emissions or shutdowns of older facilities, has failed to provide documentation proving that reductions ever occurred before credits – often sold at below-market prices to polluters – were created. The lawsuit seeks to stop these types of credits from being issued in the future and to require AQMD to carry out a program which would offset the emissions that have been unlawfully allowed. The goal is to have pollution reduced in the same communities where it was illegally emitted. Staff Attorney Tim Grabiel is working on this case for NRDC.