Research Projects

ARB has adopted regulations to promote renewable electric power and renewable transportation fuels through the Renewable Electricity and the Low Carbon Fuel Standards. Increased use of biomass and biogas can lead to reduced emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG). Sewage digester gas, landfill gas, and biomass resources can be used to generate electricity and heat, and to provide renewable gaseous or liquid fuels for stationary and vehicular applications. This study will quantify the emissions from various fuel paths that utilize biomass and biogas, and determine the potential to exploit emerging resources, focusing on the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) and the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). This study will use the resulting data as input into air quality modeling to determine the overall air quality impacts and GHG emissions of the projected biomass and biogas infrastructure. The results will provide a scientific basis to evaluate the potential air quality co-benefits of biomass and biogas use.