Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane

The Clean Air Task Force asserts that assigning negative emissions rates to biomethane, such as those used in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, would allow hydrogen producers to meet 45V tax credit thresholds by blending small amounts of biomethane with fossil natural gas instead of investing in carbon capture. The author contends this would reward environmentally harmful practices, create market distortions, and promote 'dirty' hydrogen production through steam methane reforming (SMR) without carbon capture.

• Allowing negative carbon intensities for biomethane would enable hydrogen producers using steam methane reforming (SMR) to qualify for the 45V tax credit by blending small amounts of biomethane with fossil natural gas, bypassing the need for carbon capture equipment.
• Based on California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) data, where biomethane carbon intensity ranges from -92.22 to -790.41 g CO2 e/MJ (averaging -302.75 g CO2 e/MJ), producers could qualify for the most lucrative 45V tier by blending as little as 10% or less biomethane.
• The use of negative emissions rates for biomethane is criticized for relying on complex and non-standardized life cycle analysis (LCA) methodologies, particularly for animal manure, which may incentivize environmentally harmful practices and cause market distortions.
• The author recommends that the Treasury ensure the carbon intensity of biomethane in the 45VH2-GREET model or provisional emissions rate processes is never assigned a value below 0 g CO2 e/MJ, extending this restriction to other credits like the section 45Z clean transportation fuel credit.

APA

Hunt, K. (2024). Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2024/11/negative-emissions-rates-should-not-be-allowed-for-biomethane/

Chicago

Hunt, Kara. Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://www.catf.us/2024/11/negative-emissions-rates-should-not-be-allowed-for-biomethane/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Hunt |first1=Kara |title=Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=26 November 2024 |url=https://www.catf.us/2024/11/negative-emissions-rates-should-not-be-allowed-for-biomethane/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{hunt2024negative, author = {Hunt, Kara}, title = {{Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, month = nov, url = {https://www.catf.us/2024/11/negative-emissions-rates-should-not-be-allowed-for-biomethane/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }