{"id":78086,"date":"2020-09-01T07:20:12","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T05:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=78086"},"modified":"2020-08-27T11:43:29","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T09:43:29","slug":"new-scientific-review-shows-biogenic-co2-emissions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/new-scientific-review-shows-biogenic-co2-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"New Scientific Review Shows Biogenic CO2<\/sub> Emissions From Agricultural Crops Are De Minimis, Despite EPA\u2019s Decade Long Regulatory Barrier"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today released a\u00a0scientific literature review<\/a>\u00a0conducted by Dr. Seungdo Kim, a leading researcher at Michigan State University, that surveyed peer-reviewed journal articles from all over the world. The review confirms biogenic CO2<\/sub> emissions from annual agriculture crops do not contribute to elevated greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the 108 articles related to ag-based biogenic emissions and greenhouse gas accounting published since 2010 that were found in the literature review, an overwhelming 104 articles show biogenic CO2 emissions from agriculture crops \u201care completely balanced by biomass regrowth over a short period of time.\u201d This finding supports the long-held position of the Coalition that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should issue a rulemaking clarifying the de minimis nature of those emissions. The scientific literature review used the Web of Science database, which accesses more than 8,500 academic scientific journals.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the analysis by Dr. Kim identified multiple accounting methodologies that are applied to biogenic carbon emissions. Regardless of the approach used, the research reveals that the emissions from agriculture crops do not contribute to additional CO2<\/sub> in the atmosphere. The review was commissioned by the Biogenic CO2 Coalition.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Kim\u2019s study further confirms that science from all around the world shows the\u00a0de minimis\u00a0nature of emissions from the use of annual agriculture crops. EPA is the only regulatory body in the world to treat agricultural crops and fossil fuels the same and this unfair regulatory barrier has limited the potential of America\u2019s heartland for far too long,\u201d\u00a0said Thomas Parks, Spokesperson for the Biogenic CO2 Coalition.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s time the EPA followed sound science and cleared this regulatory barrier to benefit rural America and the U.S. bioeconomy.\u201d<\/p>\n

This study aligns with the scientific consensus regarding CO2<\/sub> emissions from annual agricultural feedstocks. A group of 21 leading scientists\u00a0recently wrote\u00a0a letter to the EPA asserting that is it imperative the Agency act swiftly to adopt a rule that recognizes the\u00a0de minimis\u00a0character of emissions from annual crops.<\/p>\n

By following sound science and promulgating such a rule, EPA has a unique opportunity to spur investments in rural economies, drive the creation of green jobs, and enable American farmers and businesses to fairly compete in the international marketplace for renewable products.<\/p>\n

Members of Congress also agree the EPA needs to provide regulatory clarity for annual farm crops.\u00a0 Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) recently\u00a0sent a letter<\/a>\u00a0to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting regulatory clarity for annual farm crops.<\/p>\n

Last year, a bipartisan group of 18 Senators also\u00a0pressed the EPA<\/a>\u00a0for swift action on this issue in a letter. A group of five Governors have also\u00a0urged the agency<\/a>\u00a0for action\u00a0on the same issue.<\/p>\n

The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has been calling for the fair, science-based treatment of these crops. The Coalition recently announced a\u00a0new video and digital ad campaign<\/a>\u00a0urging EPA to unleash the U.S. bioeconomy and rural industries by recognizing the de minimis character of carbon emissions from common agricultural crops.<\/p>\n

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