Climate Challenge - Climate Challenge Participation Letter

Climate Challenge Participation Letter

DOE's Energy Partnerships for a Strong Economy

Climate Challenge Participation Accord

This Participation Accord describes the commitments that Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency (MBMPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have made to participate in the Climate Challenge Program in pursuit of the President's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Challenge Program is a joint, voluntary effort of DOE and the electric utility industry to reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. The framework of the Climate Challenge Program was established in the Climate Challenge Program Memorandum of Understanding and exhibits thereto dated April 20,1994, (the Climate Challenge Program MOU) (see Attachment A to this Participation Accord).

MBMPA is a joint action agency representing 58 municipal electric utilities in Iowa, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.

I. MBMPA Commitments

MBMPA initiated implementation of this program in 1992. MBMPA and its members have planted more than 50,000 trees as of October 1, 1994. The goal is to plant one tree for each meter served by MBMPA members (112,500).

In order to achieve the commitment, MBMPA provides a partial reimbursement of $.40/tree to each member, up to a maximum of one tree for each meter served within the community. MBMPA will encourage its members to participate and will provide them periodically with information reviewing the environmental and energy efficiency benefits associated with the planting of trees in their community.

See Attachment C for further details on types of trees planted by MBMPA members.

MBMPA will report annually on activities and achievements under the Climate Challenge Program. Results achieved during each year shall be reported in a clear and understandable manner that is consistent with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subsection 1605(b) Energy Policy Act and the Climate Challenge accounting protocols in Exhibit B of the Climate Challenge Program MOU. The first such report may include a description of the activities and achievements of the MBMPA prior to its becoming a participant in the Program, expressed on an annual basis to the extent possible.

MBMPA will confer with DOE on or before January 1, 1997, to evaluate jointly the progress of the MBMPA in achieving its Climate Challenge Program goals and to discuss possible adjustments to its voluntary commitments.

The Climate Challenge Program representative for MBMPA will be William Radio, 3005 West Russell, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57107. MBMPA agrees to notify DOE prior to or, in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in the contact.

II. DOE Commitments

DOE's commitments to MBMPA are those set out in Section III of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated in this Participation Accord by reference.

DOE will consider MBMPA's requests to intervene in regulatory proceedings of federal, state and local commissions and boards on issues pertinent to the Climate Challenge Program. Before DOE intervenes in regulatory and other proceedings pertaining to MBMPA for purposes of addressing Climate Challenge Program issues, it will provide notice to MBMPA.

DOE will provide an annual report to MBMPA describing the actions that it has taken to fulfill its commitments under Section III and Exhibit C of the Climate Challenge Program MOU and the results of those actions.

The Climate Challenge Program representative for DOE, who will serve as liaison to MBMPA, will be Larry Mansueti, U.S. Department of Energy, 1009 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 20585, telephone 202-586-2588. DOE agrees to notify MBMPA prior to, or in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in liaison responsibilities or personnel.

III. General Provisions

Use of DOE-developed materials by MBMPA will be governed by the provisions of Section IV of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated in this Participation Accord by reference.

In addition to the foregoing provisions, DOE and MBMPA agree to act in accordance with the principles set out in Section I of the Climate Challenge Program MOU and the general provisions set out in subsections V.A-V.D, V.F and V.G of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Either party may withdraw from this Participation Accord or any of its activities under the Climate Challenge Program without penalty and without being subject to remedies at law or equity.

____________________________________
President/CEO or designee
Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency

August 11, 1995 [Date]

____________________________________
Secretary of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy

August 31, 1995 [Date]

Enc.   Attachment A--Climate Challenge Program MOU and exhibits
       Attachment B--MBMPA Member Cities
       Attachment C--Types of Trees Planted

Please send comments to:
Lawrence.Mansueti@hq.doe.gov