Climate Challenge Participation Accord

DOE's Energy Partnerships for a Strong Economy

The Climate Challenge Participation Accord is a joint, voluntary effort of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and Public Utility District No.1 of Snohomish County (the District) undertaken in pursuit of the President's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The framework of the Climate Challenge Program was established in the Climate Challenge Memorandum of Understanding dated April 20,1994 (Climate challenge MOU) (see Attachment A).

This Participation Accord describes the actions that the District and DOE have committed to undertake under the Climate challenge Program. The District's commitments include specific activities and efforts to reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. DOE's commitments include specific actions designed to assist the District in achieving Its Climate Challenge commitments .

I. District Commitments

A.
Consistent with paragraph II.B.1. and Exhibit B of the Climate Challenge Program MOU, the District commits to undertake specific actions or expenditures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

In order to achieve this commitment the District will undertake, and attempt to measure the effects of, the following actions:

1.

Acquire approximately five average megawatts of conservation annually for each of the next five years.
2.
Pursue economically justified development of a hydropower project on Barclay Creek (two average megawatts).
3.
Join with TVA /Public Power Initiatives to promote Combined Purchasing Initiatives, stimulate the development of End-Use Electrotechnologies, and form Public Power Partnerships for joint implementation projects to mitigate GHG emissions, as applicable and cost-justified.
4.
Explore the possibility of conducting a renewable resource acquisition RFP.
5.
Replace several existing transmission line conductors with larger diameter conductors.
6.
Increase 230 kV to 115 kV step-down transformation capacity at the Beverly Park Substation.
7.
Implement other cost effective greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies as appropriate. The District has undertaken, or will undertake, but not necessarily attempt to measure the effects of, the following actions:
8.
Utilize biomass fuel for cogeneration.
9.
Mitigate or offset emissions from any future District gas fired generation construction
10.
Construct new transmission lines that network the District's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) points of delivery with the District's 115 kV transmission system
11.
Complete the installation of an Energy Control System
12.
Install Distribution System Automation
13.
Conduct energy efficiency education programs including information on greenhouse gases.
14.
Organize annual electric boat races to encourage electrotechnology development
15.
Consider the adoption of additional time-of-use rate schedules.
16.
Replace meter reading trucks with bicycles in high population density areas of the District's service territory.
17.
Promote carpooling as part of the Washington State Commute Trip Reduction law.
18.
Promote telecommuting beyond the District's initial pilot program
19.
Complete construction of a new energy efficient headquarters building
20.
Acquire alternate fuel and clean fuel vehicles, or purchase more fuel efficient replacement vehicles.
21.
Promote an electric car race between local schools.
22.
Increase District recycling.
23.
The District has installed Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) measures in 38 distribution substations. The District will consider installing CVR measures in additional distribution substations as appropriate.
24.
Consider joining with other institutions in joint purchasing arrangements to foster market transformation

B.

The District will report to DOE 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) of the Energy Policy Act and the Model Accounting Protocols in Exhibit B of the Climate Challenge MOU. The first such report may include a description of the activities and achievements of the District prior to its becoming a participant in the Program. expressed on an annual basis to the extent possible.

C.

At reasonable intervals upon request the District will meet with DOE regarding its participation in the Climate Challenge Program. The purpose of such meeting will be to evaluate the District's progress towards achieving the climate Challenge commitments and possible adjustments to these commitments based on the availability of reasonable, cost-justified activities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

D.

The Climate Challenge representative for the District will be Mike McMahon. 2320 California Street P.O. Box 1107, Everett, WA 98206-1107. The District will notify DOE prior to or, in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in the contact.

II. DOE Commitments

A.
DOE will perform the actions and fulfill the commitments set out in section III of the Climate Challenge MOU.
B.
The Climate Challenge representative for DOE will be ________________________. DOE will notify the District prior to or, in any event, no later than 30 days after any change in representative
C.
DOE will meet with the District upon request regarding possible adjustments of the Climate Challenge commitments set forth in subsection I.A. of this Participation Accord.
D.
DOE will consider requests to intervene in 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 the District for purposes of addressing Climate Challenge program issues, it will provide notice to the District.
E.
To the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations and by the availability of funds, DOE will consider the District's participation in Climate Challenge as a factor to be weighed positively in evaluating applications for financial (or other) assistance submitted to DOE in support of commitments made by the District under this Participation Accord.
F.
DOE agrees to provide public recognition to the District for its Climate Challenge activities. DOE will, among other things, prepare an annual report summarizing results achieved under Climate challenge and highlighting any outstanding achievements or innovative approaches of the District.

III. General Provisions

A.
Use of DOE-developed materials by the District will be governed by the provisions of section IV of the Climate Challenge MOU.
B.
In addition to the foregoing provisions, DOE and the District 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.
C.
Either party may withdraw from the Climate Challenge Program or its activities under the Program without penalty and without being subject to remedies at law or equity.

    (Original signed by)
________________________________________________        __________
Public Utility District No.1 of Snohomish County        Date



    (Original signed by)
________________________________________________        __________
U.S. Department of Energy                               Date

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