EPA defers biomass permitting decision

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its plan to defer, for three years, greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements for carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources. The agency intends to use this time to seek further independent scientific analysis of this complex issue and then to develop a rulemaking on how these emissions should be treated in determining whether a Clean Air Act permit is required.

“We are working to find a way forward that is scientifically sound and manageable for both producers and consumers of biomass energy.  In the coming years we will develop a commonsense approach that protects our environment and encourages the use of clean energy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Renewable, homegrown power sources are essential to our energy future, and an important step to cutting the pollution responsible for climate change.”

By July 2011, EPA plans to complete a rulemaking that will defer permitting requirements for CO₂ emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources for three years. During the three-year period, the agency will seek input on critical scientific issues from its partners within the federal government and from outside scientists who have relevant expertise. EPA will also further consider the more than 7000 comments it received from its July 2010 Call for Information, including comments noting that burning certain types of biomass may emit the same amount of CO₂ emissions that would be emitted if they were not burned as fuel, while others may result in a net increase in CO₂ emissions. Before the end of the three-year period, the agency intends to issue a second rulemaking that determines how these emissions should be treated or counted under GHG permitting requirements.

The agency will also issue guidance shortly that will provide a basis that state or local permitting authorities may use to conclude that the use of biomass as fuel is the best available control technology for GHG emissions until the agency can complete action on the three-year deferral in July.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/13012011/epa_defers_biomass_permitting_decision/