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Methane and Other Greenhouse Gas Programs

Although carbon dioxide accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, other greenhouse gases have significantly higher global warming potentials. For example, over a 100-year time horizon, methane is 21 times more effective than CO₂ at trapping heat in the atmosphere, nitrous oxide is 310 times more effective, and HFC-23 is 11,700 times more effective.

Methane Programs

Methane comprised about 11 percent of the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 1995. The primary sources of methane emissions in the United States are landfills, domesticated livestock, coal mines, and natural gas systems. The CCAP includes specific measures for each of these sources.

Methane control options offer tremendous opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at low cost or even at a profit. In many cases, methane that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere can be captured and used to generate power, or can be significantly reduced through the use of cost-effective management methods.

Without the CCAP, it is currently estimated that methane emissions would increase from 170 MMTCE in 1990 to 175.5 MMTCE in 2000. The 1993 CCAP projected that the combined effects of the methane actions would reduce emissions by 16.3 MMTCE in the year 2000. Current projections are that the actions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15.5 MMTCE in 2000 and 23.4 MMTCE in 2010.

Natural Gas STAR (Action 32 )

Through EPA's Natural Gas STAR program, natural gas companies are overcoming barriers and adopting cost-effective technologies and practices that reduce emissions of methane. The program was launched in March 1993 with the transmission and distribution sectors and was expanded in March 1995 to include the production sector. To date, the program includes sixty-five corporate partners representing 65 percent of transmission company pipeline miles, 30 percent of distribution company pipeline miles, and 30 percent of U.S. natural gas production.

After becoming a partner, a company submits an implementation plan to EPA and implements the plan over the next three years. In addition to assisting with plan implementation, EPA provides partners with public recognition and works to remove unjustified regulatory barriers.

In 1996, the program reduced methane leakage from natural gas pipelines by over 1.0 MMTCE. The 1993 CCAP expected the expansion of the program would reduce emissions by 3.0 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the expansion of the program will reduce emissions by 3.4 MMTCE in 2000 and by 4.2 MMTCE in 2010. The full Natural Gas STAR program is expected to achieve even larger results.

Landfill Methane Recovery (Actions 33 and 34)

Landfills are the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions in the United States. Because methane is a fuel, landfills also represent a tremendous energy resource. The New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines (Landfill Rule), promulgated under the Clean Air Act in March 1996, require large landfills to capture and combust their landfill gas emissions. Because of the CCAP, this rule was made more stringent, resulting in greater landfill gas recovery.

Through its Landfill Methane Outreach Program, launched in December 1994, EPA is encouraging U.S. landfills to capture and use their landfill gas emissions as a fuel source. This voluntary effort works hand-in-hand with EPA's Landfill Rule to promote cost-effective reductions in methane emissions. By providing reliable technical and economic information about the opportunities to use landfill gas as a fuel, connecting project partners, creating innovative financing opportunities, and demonstrating the many benefits of landfill gas-to-energy, the outreach program is helping landfills affected by the Landfill Rule to achieve the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.

The 1993 CCAP projected the combined effect of the outreach program and the increased stringency of the Landfill Rule would reduce emissions by 5.3 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the programs will reduce emissions by 8.2 MMTCE in 2000 and 12.0 MMTCE in 2010.

Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (Action 35)

In 1995, methane emissions associated with coal mining operations accounted for approximately 12 percent of U.S. methane emissions. Launched in the spring of 1994, the Coalbed Methane Outreach Program is reducing these emissions by: (1) working with the coal industry and other stakeholders to identify and remove obstacles to increased investment in coalbed methane recovery projects, and (2) raising awareness of opportunities for profitable investments.

Currently, at least thirteen U.S. mines are recovering and using methane. During 1995, at least five new or expanded-use projects were initiated at coal mines. These projects included introducing coalbed methane into the nation's natural gas pipeline supply, generating power from abandoned mine gas, and using methane to replace coal as a fuel source for drying at a coal mine preparation plant.

The 1993 CCAP projected the program would reduce methane emissions by 2.2 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the program will reduce emissions by 2.6 MMTCE in 2000 and by 3.2 MMTCE in 2010.

RD&D for Coal Mine Methane (Action 36)

In coordination with EPA, the National Mining Association, fuel cell and gas turbine manufacturers, private industry, and others, DOE's Office of Fossil Energy is supporting outreach, cost-shared demonstrations, and market-entry projects to investigate and apply technologies for capturing and using methane emitted during coal mining. A feasibility study was completed and there is broad-based program support for the program. Fourteen proposals were submitted from the private sector in response to the Phase I solicitation for cost-shared projects. Of these, ten were selected and have coal-mine sites committed to methane recovery and use.

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce methane emissions by 1.5 MMTCE in 2000. Funding for this program has been significantly reduced from originally anticipated levels. In the revised analysis, no emission reductions are projected.

RD&D for Landfill Methane (Action 37)

This action was terminated due to lack of funding for project demonstrations. However, EPA produced and disseminated technical manuals and expertise as part of its Landfill Methane Outreach Program (Action 34). The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 1.0 MMTCE in 2000. In the revised analysis, no emission reductions are projected.

AgSTAR Program (Action 38 )

Through this voluntary pollution-prevention program, EPA and USDA are working with livestock producers to capture the methane released from manure management systems. The captured methane is an on-farm energy resource that can offset energy costs and increase bottom-line profits. Using methane-recovery systems, it is technologically feasible to reduce total U.S. methane emissions from livestock manure by 50 percent. Collateral benefits include reducing surface- and ground-water pollution, odor management, and reducing fertilizer costs.

Launched at the White House Conference on Climate Change in the spring of 1994, AgSTAR currently has more than forty partners, representing over four hundred farms. The program also has more than fifty "allies," representing system and equipment manufacturers, educational institutions, state and local governments, consultants, and others.

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 1.5 MMTCE in 2000. Due to funding cuts, delays in initiating model farms, and changes in the industry, current projections are that the program will reduce emissions by 0.3 MMTCE in 2000 and 1.8 MMTCE in 2010.

Ruminant Livestock Efficiency Program (Action 39)

This collaborative effort between USDA and EPA reduces methane emissions resulting from the dairy and beef industries, which are responsible for more than 30 MMTCE of methane emissions annually. Methane is produced as part of a ruminant animal's normal digestive process, known as "enteric fermentation." Because the methane produced is actually wasted carbon from the feed, the amount of methane relative to the amount of beef or milk produced is a reliable indicator of the inefficiency of animal production.

This program encourages livestock producers to increase the efficiency of their animals and reduce methane emissions by improving grazing management, providing strategic feed supplementation, improving feed efficiency through the use of production-enhancing agents, improving genetic characteristics and reproduction, and controlling diseases. The program also builds on existing efforts to remove market barriers and to create incentives for increased production of lower-fat milk and meat products.

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 1.8 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the program will reduce emissions by 1.0 MMTCE in 2000 and 2.2 MMTCE in 2010.

Nitrous Oxide Programs

Nitrous oxide emissions, mostly from fertilizer and chemical manufacture, accounted for about 3 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 1995. Without the CCAP, nitrous oxide emissions would be expected to increase by about 3 MMTCE from 1990 to 2000.

Improve Efficiency of Fertilizer Nitrogen Use (Action 17)

A new partnership with American farmers to improve the efficiency of fertilizer management will result in lower emissions of nitrous oxide from soil. This initiative will begin with the conduct of field experiments regarding bacterial denitrification and the testing of management options to improve the efficiency of nitrogen use. Demonstration projects and an outreach campaign using nationwide USDA outlets have been initiated.

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce N₂O emissions by 4.5 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the program will reduce emissions by 5.0 MMTCE in 2000, resulting in a net decrease in emissions between 1990 and 2000 of 2 MMTCE. A reduction of 5.0 MMTCE is projected for 2010.

Other Emission-Reduction Programs

Due to their high global warming potentials, long atmospheric lifetimes, and increasing emissions, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a growing contributor to the climate change problem. HFCs are also emitted as a by-product of HCFC-22 production (another CFC substitute). Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), emitted primarily during aluminum smelting, are also potent greenhouse gases. In addition, three halogenated substances not included in the 1993 CCAP--SF₆, NF₃, and CHF₃-- produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. In 1995, all of the above gases comprised about 2 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, but emissions are projected to increase as their use as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances increases.

The United States is the first nation to articulate a national strategy to control HFC and PFC emissions. The strategy uses a combination of partnership efforts and regulatory mechanisms to minimize the future contribution of HFCs, PFCs, and halogenated substances to global warming, without disrupting the orderly and cost-effective transition away from CFCs.

Without the CCAP, emissions of these gases would be projected to grow from 24.4 MMTCE in 1990 to 62.4 MMTCE in 2000. The 1993 CCAP anticipated that the HFC and PFC programs would reduce emissions by 11.8 MMTCE in 2000. Currently, it is estimated that the HFC and PFC actions, including the expansion of Action 40, will reduce emissions from these gases by 20.1 MMTCE in 2000, resulting in total emissions of 42.3 MMTCE in 2000.

Significant New Alternatives Program (Action 40)

EPA has used its authority under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to narrow the scope of uses allowed for HFCs and PFCs with high global warming potentials where better alternatives exist. Emission reductions are being achieved by means of the Significant New Alternatives Program under Section 612 of the amendments. EPA published a final rulemaking in March 1994 that has restricted the use of HFCs and PFCs in a variety of applications. EPA has published four updates to the rule, further extending the emission reductions

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 5.0 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the program will reduce emissions by 6.4 MMTCE in 2000 and 23.1 MMTCE in 2010.

HFC-23 Partnerships (Action 41)

HFC-23, a potent greenhouse gas, is emitted as a by-product of HCFC-22 production. Through this program, EPA encourages companies to develop and implement technically feasible, cost-effective processing practices or technologies to reduce HFC-23 emissions. Through partnerships with EPA, the entire U.S. HCFC-22 industry has agreed to significantly reduce HFC-23 emission levels by 2000. HCFC-22 producers are developing and implementing processing practices or technologies to reduce HFC-23 emissions where technically feasible and cost-effective. HCFC-22 producers have also completed an assessment of 1990 HFC-23 emissions.

The 1993 CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 5.0 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections for 2000 are unchanged, and estimate a sustained reduction of 5.0 MMTCE through 2010.

Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnerships (Action 42)

Carbon tetrafluoride (CF₄) and carbon hexafluoride (C₂F₆) are emitted as by-products of the primary aluminum production process. Both are potent greenhouse gases, with global warming potentials of approximately 6,500 and 9,200 times that of CO₂, respectively, and lifetimes that exceed 10,000 years.

EPA is partnering with primary aluminum producers to reduce CF₄ and C₂F₆ emissions where technically feasible and cost-effective. Because factors that cause these emissions are a sign of efficiency loss, focus by industry to reduce emissions will result in process enhancements. EPA estimates that emissions of CF₄ and C₂F₆ can be reduced by 30-60 percent industrywide. As of December 1995, twelve companies representing 94 percent of the U.S. primary aluminum production capacity have joined EPA in the Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership.

CCAP projected this action would reduce emissions by 1.8 MMTCE in 2000. Current projections are that the programs will reduce emissions by 2.2 MMTCE in 2000 and 2.4 MMTCE in 2010.