SRC Q & A Misleads on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Oregon Global Warming Commission 2018 Biennial Report

Oregon Global Warming Commission 2018 Biennial Report

Oregon Global Warming Commission 2018 Biennial Report

Now let's look at how the SRC Q & A tackles greenhouse gas emissions.

The defense of the bridge hangs its hat on the notion that only by speeding up traffic can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Tailpipe emissions are the main problem. It discounts "driving less" as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce congestion. On this view speed is good. In 2040 the No Build state is modeled to offer an average speed of 13.1 mph, and the SRC once built would offer 21.9 mph. Emissions are meaningfully worse at the lower speed because of motor inefficiency and idling. It concludes, therefore, the SRC is better at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Section 19.c

What are the problems with this?

False precision is a central problem. Look at that decimal point! Not just 13 mph and 22 mph, but 13.1 and 21.9. Same with the forecasted VMT in table 17. This is a major system problem in the whole forecasting enterprise. What is the 95% confidence interval? What are the error bars? It is very difficult to know what the actual range of effects might be.

Fleet Conversion. Another source of uncertainty on the greenhouse gases is the proportion of the total transportation fleet that has electrified by 2040.

As I read it, the analysis of tailpipe CO2 and other emissions here assumes no change in electrification.

But if the fleet is substantially electrified by 2040, then CO2 comes from electricity generation, not from tailpipe emissions, and in that case,there is no benefit in preferring an average speed of 21.9 mph to 13.1 mph.

But for other reasons, we might prefer the slower speed. For urban road safety, for example, we might prefer a slower speed!

Additionally, if electricity generation and not tailpipe is the source of emissions in 2040, then we would prefer the alternative with the lowest total VMT, which in this case is the No Build.

Fleet conversion, and the rate this happens, has a material effect on greenhouse gas emissions in 2040.

Section 19.c and its footnote

Dependency on a single study from 2009 is a problem. This is an example where the Q & A's admission that "the references may not be the seminal work or the latest on the topic" likely has real costs. It seems very unlikely that this study, now a decade old, meets a standard of "best available information." It is almost certain that the Q & A's confidence that the SRC is best for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is misplaced. This is very much a topic on which we all should insist on the best available information.

As it happens, newer information from California suggests that neither fleet conversion nor improved tailpipe efficiency will be sufficient. "2018 Progress Report on California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act," notes

Even if the share of new car sales that are ZEVs grows nearly 10-fold from today, California would still need to reduce VMT per capita 25 percent to achieve the necessary reductions for 2030.

We have to drive less often and drive fewer miles. Any plan that fails to face this squarely will be a sham. SRC claims that we can drive more, drive faster, and still meet greenhouse gas goals, is bogus. Adopted plans must support VMT reductions.

EVs alone won't do it

But there are also other sources of uncertainty that are generally glossed over.

Section 19.d

On "Energy Consumption," in an attempt to soften the conclusion, they revised to say they have no idea. "The 16 percent increase should be considered preliminary." It's hard to know whether this is offered in good faith or if it is a "merchants of doubt" move. As we learn more about the greenhouse gas emissions from concrete, it seems likely to be worse. It is hard to envision a situation that involves big construction project + more VMT = less total energy use. On the face of it, this equation seems very dubious.

But if these SRC principals are willing to question that 16% claim in the DEIS, it is evidence then that critics of the SRC are right to doubt and question other parts of the DEIS.

If we take this revision at face value, they don't know and they want Council to make a big, billion-dollar decision as if we did know.

Section 19.e

Induced demand is also a source.

For the moment it is sufficient to note that this is a very large source of uncertainty.   "Whether the 15% factor results in an underestimation or overestimation of traffic owning to latent demand is not known."

It's a swag!

Tolling is likely our most powerful tool for GHG reductions

Tolling is a huge source of uncertainty. If we toll the bridges, average speeds will rise, eliminating the problem of engine inefficiency or idling. VMT reductions will also reduce emissions. Only by pretending we won't toll can the Q & A suggest that the SRC is best for greenhouse gases.

The More General Problem

If we need to reduce greenhouse gases drastically, an incremental reduction in tailpipe emissions will not be enough. We need to drive less, not drive more and drive faster. 

Path dependency is an issue. If we build a giant new bridge and highway, it will be more difficult to reduce driving holistically after the bridge is constructed. If drive-alone trips are less costly in general, transit will seem more unattractive, for example. The more auto capacity we build, the more future reductions we will need to make, and the harder they will be.

If on the other hand, we don't build the bridge, it will be easier to focus more on transit and other non-auto mobility.

If we think less driving will be necessary, we should not be building things for more driving.

The SRC's optimism is misplaced - via Twitter