Targeted technical assistance and training on GHG data and inventories. State agencies described providing technical assistance, training, and hands-on support to help local governments understand methodologies, process raw data, and complete inventories. This assistance is positioned as ongoing support rather than one-time guidance.

Developing locally supplemented inventories when official data is delayed. Cities and counties generate or supplement GHG inventories using consultants, volunteers, or regional estimates when state or utility data is slow to arrive. These inventories are used as interim planning tools and updated as improved data becomes available.

Narrowing inventory scope to priority sectors. Some jurisdictions limit inventory efforts to major emissions sectors, such as buildings or transportation, to reduce technical burden and speed updates. This allows planning work to continue despite incomplete data in other sectors.

Frequent Methodological Changes Trigger Repeated Inventory Revisions. Changes in emissions factors, electricity supply assumptions, or transportation accounting methods require jurisdictions to repeatedly redo GHG inventories, even when underlying local activity has not changed.

Misalignment Between Data Delivery Timelines and Inventory Cycles. Utility and transportation data frequently arrive too late to align with CAP update schedules, grant deadlines, or reporting cycles, forcing jurisdictions to revise inventories multiple times or rely on outdated inputs.

Raw State GHG Data Requires Specialized Processing. When CARB or other state entities provide emissions-related datasets, the data is often delivered in raw or technical formats that require advanced expertise to convert into usable GHG inventories. This creates a bottleneck for jurisdictions without in-house data analysts.

Inconsistent and Outdated VMT Data for Emissions Accounting. Jurisdictions rely on VMT estimates that are often outdated, regionally inconsistent, or based on unclear methodologies, making them unreliable for transportation emissions inventories. Many local governments lack the technical capacity or funding to independently generate inventory-grade transportation data.

More regular and available alternatives to VMT data that works well for both baseline calculations and projections. And backing from the state that those data sources are best available to help protect from any legal action that agencies could face when they shift away from using VMT data.

UCLA’s Energy Atlas partners with Regional Energy Networks to Provide Access to Energy Data

The Bay Area Energy Atlas—one of the nation’s most comprehensive energy tools—has been revamped with new features, expanded data, and a more user-friendly interface. Developed by UCLA in partnership with BayREN, the Atlas helps users explore regional energy use through interactive maps and detailed building data. From policymakers to curious residents, anyone can now dive deeper into energy trends by city, building type, or time period. New tools make it easier to compare communities and visualize consumption with monthly data through 2021.

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