Carbon Dioxide Emissions Associated with Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources

Biogenic CO₂ emissions are defined as CO₂ emissions related to the natural carbon cycle, as well as those resulting from the combustion, harvest, combustion, digestion, fermentation, decomposition, or processing of biologically based materials.

Examples of biogenic CO₂ emissions include:

• CO₂ from the combustion of biogas collected from biological decomposition of waste in landfills, wastewater treatment, or manure management processes
• CO₂ from combustion of the biological fraction of municipal solid waste or biosolids
• CO₂ derived from combustion of biological material, including forest-derived and agriculture-derived feedstocks

EPA has taken a number of actions related to biogenic CO₂ emissions from stationary sources:

November 2014: Revised Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO₂ Emissions from Stationary Sources

To continue advancing the Agency's technical understanding of the role the use of biomass can play in reducing overall greenhouse emissions, the EPA has developed a second draft of the technical report, the Framework for Assessing Biogenic Carbon Dioxide for Stationary Sources, for further review. The revised report takes into account the latest information from the scientific community and other stakeholders. As a next step forward, EPA will continue to refine its technical assessment by initiating a second round of targeted peer review with the Science Advisory Board.

In addition, Acting Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe has issued a memorandum to the EPA’s Regional Air Division Directors describing the EPA’s current thinking pertaining to biogenic CO₂ emissions in the context of the Clean Power Plan and the Prevention of Significant Deterioration Program.

• Janet McCabe Memo: Addressing Biogenic Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Emissions from Stationary Sources (PDF, 3 pp., 692 KB)
• Revised Framework for Assessing Biogenic Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Emissions from Stationary Sources (PDF, 69 pp., 2.12 MB)
  • Technical Appendices (ZIP, 5.92 MB)
• Request for SAB Review of revised Framework (PDF, 1 pp., 235 KB)

September 2012: EPA Science Advisory Board Review of the 2011 Draft Accounting Framework for CO₂ Emissions for Biogenic Sources Study

EPA's Science Advisory Board reviewed the 2011 Draft Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO₂ Emissions from Stationary Sources, and provided recommendations on the scientific and technical issues associated with EPA's draft assessment.

• EPA SAB Review of 2011 Accounting Framework for CO₂ Emissions from Biogenic Sources: background, review panel, advisory meetings & final report

September 2011: Draft Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO₂ Emissions from Stationary Sources

In 2011, EPA published a draft Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO₂ Emissions from Stationary Sources. This draft was presented to SAB to review and comment on 1) EPA's characterization of the science and technical issues relevant to biogenic CO₂ accounting, 2) EPA's framework, approach, and methodological choices; and 3), options for improving the framework.

• Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions from Stationary Sources (PDF, 140 pp., 1.35MB)
• Memo and charge to SAB (PDF, 4 pp., 1.70MB)
• Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pp., 73KB)

July 2010: Call for Information on GHG Emissions Associated with Bioenegy and Other Biogenic Sources

In July 2010, EPA issued a Call for Information to request data about biogenic sources of carbon dioxide, general technical comments on accounting for biogenic CO₂, and comments on developing an approach for such emissions under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Programs under the Clean Air Act.

• Call for Information: July 15, 2010 Federal Register Notice (PDF) (5 pp, 82K)
• Call for Information Correction: August 2, 2010 Federal Register Notice (PDF) (1 pp, 53K)
• Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 20K)
• Synthesis of comments on the call for information on bioenergy and other biogenic sources (PDF, 65 pp., 1,002KB)