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Projections and Mitigation CostsEPA has conducted economic analyses of the costs of reducing emissions from four key methane sources: landfills, natural gas and oil systems, coal mining, and livestock manure management. Unlike other greenhouse gases, methane can be used to produce energy since it is the major component (95 percent) of natural gas. Consequently, for many methane sources, opportunities exist to reduce emissions cost-effectively or at low cost by capturing the methane and using it as fuel. EPA’s voluntary programs assist companies in identifying these cost-effective reductions for specific sources. EPA also provides information on cost-effective mitigation options for ruminant livestock emissions.
Emission Estimates With and Without Voluntary ProgramsFigure 1 shows the historical and projected emissions of methane in the U.S. from human-related sources. The graph shows emissions with and without the impact of voluntary programs designed to reduce emissions of methane from these sources. For more information on EPA voluntary programs and descriptions of cost-effective technologies and management practices for methane, go to Methane Voluntary Programs. Figure 1 Future Emission Projections and Mitigation CostsThe following reports present a) cost analyses of mitigation technologies and management practices for methane emissions in the U.S. and b) methodologies for introducing mitigation options into the MARKAL framework. For analysis of methane mitigation costs outside the U.S., see the International Analyses Web site. Report on the Methane Sub-Model for the USEPA National MARKAL Model (EPA Contract No. 68-W00-093) (January 2005). The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Coalbed Methane Outreach Program has requested that the EPA US-national MARKAL (EPA-MARKAL) model be augmented to include the ability to track methane emissions from the energy system, and limited other sources (landfills and manure handling). The methane sub-model in the EPA-MARKAL model has been developed and calibrated to perform the following functions:
Methane Tracking and Mitigation Options - EPA-CMOP (MS Excel, 1,021 KB) Note: The documentation on the EPA-MARKAL national model is pending, though being assembled by EPA-ORD. For information on the EPA-MARKAL national model contact Carol Shay (shay.carol@epamail.epa.gov). Analysis of Methane Mitigation Options using the MARKAL Model for the US (EPA Contract No. 68-W00-093) (January 2005). This report describes analyses that were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of this new MARKAL Methane sub-model. These analyses investigate the effectiveness of various technologies and lay the groundwork for the formulation of policies for reducing methane emissions. A companion document (see above), developed in parallel with this report contains a full description of the Methane sub-model and its use. The Excel files contain the output for the modeling runs. Calibration Data for Methane Emissions (MS Excel, 699 KB) Report on U.S. Methane Emissions 1990-2020: Inventories, Projections, and Opportunities for Reductions (EPA 430-R-99-013) (September 1999). This report addresses the historical emissions of CH4 and presents EPA's forecast of emissions through 2020 for landfills, natural gas and oil systems, coal mines, manure management and enteric fermentation. This report also estimates the costs of reducing CH4 emissions from landfills, natural gas systems, coal mines and manure management.
Note: All documents have been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's and the Office of Management and Budget's peer and administrative review policies and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation. To request a hard copy of any of the reports call the Energy Star hotline at 1-888-STAR YES. |
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