New Scientific Review Shows Biogenic CO2 Emissions From Agricultural Crops Are De Minimis, Despite EPA’s Decade Long Regulatory Barrier

Aug 17, 2020

Science Shows That EPA Should Take Action & Address Long Overdue Issue Harming America’s Heartland 

WASHINGTON, DC – The Biogenic CO2 Coalition today released a scientific literature review conducted 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 emissions from annual agriculture crops do not contribute to elevated greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. 

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 “are completely balanced by biomass regrowth over a short period of time.” 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. 

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 in the atmosphere. The review was commissioned by the Biogenic CO2 Coalition.

“Dr. Kim’s study further confirms that science from all around the world shows the de minimis nature 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’s heartland for far too long,” said Thomas Parks, Spokesperson for the Biogenic CO2 Coalition. “It’s time the EPA followed sound science and cleared this regulatory barrier to benefit rural America and the U.S. bioeconomy.” 

This study aligns with the scientific consensus regarding CO2 emissions from annual agricultural feedstocks. A group of 21 leading scientists recently wrote a letter to the EPA asserting that is it imperative the Agency act swiftly to adopt a rule that recognizes the de minimis character of emissions from annual crops. 

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. 

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

Last year, a bipartisan group of 18 Senators also pressed the EPA for swift action on this issue in a letter. A group of five Governors have also urged the agency for action on the same issue. 

The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has been calling for the fair, science-based treatment of these crops. The Coalition recently announced a new video urging EPA to unleash the U.S. bioeconomy and rural industries by recognizing the de minimis character of carbon emissions from common agricultural crops.