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This document is Appendix A of a report by Energy Innovation, detailing the modeling methodology used to assess the impacts of repealing federal energy tax credits. It provides a comprehensive table mapping specific sections of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to their inclusion in 'Business as Usual' (BAU) and 'IRA Repeal' scenarios, explaining the calculations for credits related to renewable energy, electric vehicles, carbon sequestration, and agricultural conservation.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides funding and technical assistance to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and working agricultural lands through conservation easements. Established by the 2014 Farm Bill, the program aims to preserve the agricultural viability of land and its related conservation values, which are noted as critical for greenhouse gas sequestration and climate resilience.

This document consists of two primary components: an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and a Spatial Development Framework (SDF) for the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality (PKISLM). The EMF establishes seven Environmental Management Zones (EMZs) to guide sustainable development by identifying preferred and undesirable land uses based on environmental sensitivities. The SDF provides broad spatial policy guidelines to manage regional growth, balancing economic development—particularly in agriculture, trade, and community services—with the conservation of critical grasslands and wetlands.

This policy note describes the use of reverse auctions as a cost-effective mechanism for allocating funding within agricultural conservation or environmental trading programs, specifically highlighting the Conestoga Reverse Auction Project in Pennsylvania.