EPA posts materials for SAB review of biogenic CO2 framework

The U.S. EPA has posted new materials related to a quality review scheduled to be conducted by the Scientific Advisory Board on the agency’s draft framework for assessing biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources. The SAB is expected to address the framework during its meeting Aug. 29-30 in Arlington, Virginia.

In mid-August, an updated SAB review of the framework for assessing biogenic CO2 emissions from stationary sources was posted to the EPA SAB’s webpage. That draft is dated June 2. Previous draft reports were released in February 2016 and August 2015.

Additional meeting materials have also been posted to the SAB’s webpage for the Aug. 29-30 meeting. This includes several memos and suggested draft revisions to the framework. An EPA official has confirmed the SAB will review these materials during its August meeting.

Efforts to develop the biogenic CO2 emissions framework have been ongoing for several years. The SAB completed a review of the first draft accounting framework addressing scientific and technical issues associated with biogenic carbon dioxide in 2012. That framework, titled “Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions from Stationary Sources,” was published in September 2011. The EPA later revised the 2011 framework and requested the SAB conduct a review of the updated framework, titled “Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO2 Emissions from Stationary Sources,” which was published in November 2014. The SAB’s Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel published updated draft reports in August 2015 and February 2016. The SAB reviewed the updated draft report during a meeting held in early 2016. At that time, the SAB identified several issues with the draft and asked the Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel to address those concerns and resubmit the report for another quality review. 

According to the Aug. 29-30 meeting notice published by the EPA, the purpose of the 2014 framework is to develop a method for calculating the adjustment, or biogenic assessment factor (BAF), for carbon emissions associated with the combustion of biogenic feedstocks taking into account the biological carbon cycle effects associated with their growth, harvest and processing. The SAB convened the Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel to review the framework.

Additional information on the meeting, including how to provide public input or request to make an oral comment during the meeting, can be found on the Federal Register website. The SAB meeting webpage also includes a link allowing members of the public to submit comments.