NSWMA Urges EPA to Exclude Biomass Emissions from Proposed Rule

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biomass should not be regulated in the same way as GHG emissions from fossil fuel use are, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) said in comments that it recently submitted to the EPA.

NSWMA submitted the comments in response to the EPA’s proposed rule — the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule — that would regulate the two types of emissions in the same manner.

“NSWMA believes that if the Tailoring Rule includes the carbon dioxide produced by biomass, it will overly burden local government and private entities that have invested resources into the development of renewable energy and organics management infrastructure,” said Bruce Parker, president and CEO of NSWMA, in a press release. “Imposing the Tailoring Rule permitting requirements to renewable energy projects will discourage future investment in proven technologies for reducing GHGs that utilize waste materials, biomass, and biogas.”