Md. Code Regs. 26.09.03.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 26.09.03.03 - Landfill Methane Capture and Destruction Project Standards

A. Offset projects that capture and destroy methane from landfills qualify for the award of CO₂ offset allowances if they meet the requirements of this regulation.

B. Eligibility. Eligible offset projects shall occur at landfills that are not subject to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for municipal solid waste landfills, 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Cc and Subpart WWW.

C. Offset Project Description. The project sponsor shall provide a detailed narrative of the offset project actions to be taken, including documentation that the offset project meets the eligibility requirements and includes the following information:

(1) Owner and operator of the offset project;

(2) Location and specifications of the landfill where the offset project will occur, including waste in place;

(3) Owner and operator of the landfill where the offset project will occur; and

(4) Specifications of the equipment to be installed and a technical schematic of the offset project.

D. Emissions Baseline Determination. The emissions baseline represents the potential fugitive landfill emissions of methane (CH₄) measured in tons of CO₂e as represented by the CH₄ collected and metered for thermal destruction as part of the offset project and calculated in accordance with the following:

Emissions (tons CO₂e) = (V * M x (1-OX) * GWP)/2000

where:

(1) V = Volume of CH₄ collected, in cubic feet;

(2) M = Mass of CH₄ per cubic foot (0.04246 pounds per cubic feet default value at 1 atmosphere and 20°C);

(3) OX = Oxidation factor (0.10), representing estimated portion of collected CH₄ that would have eventually oxidized to CO₂ if not collected; and

(4) GWP = 28 for the CO₂e global warming potential of CH₄.

E. Calculating Emissions Reductions. Emissions reductions shall be determined based on potential fugitive CH₄ emissions that would have occurred at the landfill if metered CH₄ collected from the landfill for thermal destruction as part of the offset project was not collected and destroyed. CO₂e emissions reductions shall be calculated as follows:

Emissions Reductions (tons CO₂e) = (V * M X (1-OX) * C_ef * GWP)/2000

where:

(1) V = Volume of CH₄ collected, in cubic feet;

(2) M = Mass of ₂CH₄ per cubic foot (0.04246 pounds per cubic feet default value at 1 atmosphere and 20°C);

(3) OX = Oxidation factor (0.10), representing estimated portion of collected CH₄ that would have eventually oxidized to CO if not collected;

(4) C_ef = Combustion efficiency of methane control technology (0.98); and

(5) GWP = 28 for the CO₂e global warming potential of CH₄.

F. Monitoring and Verification Requirements.

(1) Offset projects shall employ a landfill gas collection system that provides continuous metering and data computation of landfill gas volumetric flow rate and CH₄ concentration. Annual monitoring and verification reports shall include monthly volumetric flow rate and CH₄ concentration data, including documentation that the CH₄ was actually supplied to the combustion source.

(2) The project sponsor shall submit a monitoring and verification plan as part of the consistency application that includes a quality assurance and quality control program associated with equipment used to determine landfill gas volumetric flow rate and CH₄ composition.

(3) The monitoring and verification plan shall be certified by an independent accredited verifier and include provisions for:

(a) Ensuring that measuring and monitoring equipment is maintained, operated, and calibrated based on manufacturer recommendations; and

(b) The retention of maintenance records for audit purposes.

(4) The project sponsor shall annually verify landfill gas CH₄ composition through landfill gas sampling and independent laboratory analysis using applicable EPA laboratory test methods.

Md. Code Regs. 26.09.03.03

Regulation .03 amended effective 45:26 Md. R. 1249, eff. 12/31/2018