While reducing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion (energy conservation) is an important part of reducing GHG emissions to combat climate change, another area is methane (CH4), which is 21 times more potent than CO2. As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Obama Admin. Recently issued: “Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions”: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/strategy_to_reduce_methane_emissions_2014-03-28_final.pdf

According to this “Methane Strategy”, CH4 emissions currently account for nearly 9% of all US GHG emissions, and are expected to increase if no new action is taken. Common CH4 emission sources include solid waste landfills, coal mines, agriculture, and oil & gas. Here is a summary of proposals to reduce CH4 emissions in the Methane Strategy.

• Landfills: Later this year, the USEPA will propose updated standards to reduce CH4 from new and existing landfill. The USEPA will continue its Landfill Methane Outreach program to promote voluntary CH4 recovery projects at landfills. The USEPA will also continue its nationwide efforts to encourage reduction of solid waste generation (ending up at landfills), such as the U.S. Food Waste Challenge.

• Coal Mines: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on developing a program for capturing, selling, and/or disposing of waste mine CH4 produced on Federal government lands through coal and other solid mineral leases. The USEPA will continue to promote voluntary recovery and beneficial use of CH4 from coal mines.

• Agriculture: The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy will issue a “Biogas Roadmap” shortly. This will provide voluntary strategies for implementing technologies for reducing all GHGs from this sector, including encouraging the use of anaerobic digestion and biogas (CH4) utilization systems.

• Oil & Gas: The USEPA will issue white papers developed by independent experts on how to reduce GHG emissions from the oil & gas industry, focusing on reducing both VOCs and CH4, then will decide future rules or voluntary programs, probably this fall. If the USEPA decides the regulatory route, such proposed rules will be issued by late 2016. The USEPA will continue to promote its Natural Gas STAR Program which encourages practices to reduce CH4 and other emissions. BLM will also release a proposed rule to regulate venting and flaring from oil & gas wells on Federal government land. The DOE will issue its Quadrennial Energy Review in early 2015 to recommend actions for improving energy transmission, storage, and distribution, including opportunities to abate CH4 emissions.

CCES has the expertise and experience to assist you in reducing your full GHG emissions in the most cost-effective manner and in such a way to reduce your expenses and increase productivity to make back the money you’ve spent. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.