NPPD signed a participation accord with the Department of Energy (DOE) in January 1995, agreeing to participate in the DOE’s Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The Program is also known as the Climate Challenge Program or 1605(b) Program (so named because the guidelines are outlined in Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.) The program requires that NPPD undertake projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and report annually on the reductions from those programs. NPPD began reporting greenhouse gas emission reductions to the DOE in 1995 and has reported every year since. NPPD receives certificates of recognition from the Department of Energy.

In 2004, NPPD’s projects reduced over 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide, 55 tons of methane and 376 pounds of sulfur hexafluoride. The projects conducted to create those reductions include: efficiency improvements at fossil electric generating facilities, materials recycling, wind turbine generation, increased utilization of nuclear generation, and many others.

To read more on the Department of Energy’s Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, click on the following link: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/vrrpt/index.html.