Carbon
Conversion coefficients

US EPA ... Clean Energy

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

US EPA ... Clean Energy You are here: EPA Home Climate Change Clean Energy Clean Energy Resources Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator Calculations and References Calculations and References This page describes the calculations used to convert greenhouse gas emission numbers into different types of equivalent units. Go to the equivalency calculator page for more information. A note on global warming potentials (GWPs): Some of the equivalencies in the calculator are reported as CO2 equivalents (CO2E). These are calculated using GWPs from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. Electricity Reductions (kilowatt-hours) The Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator uses the Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) U.S. annual non-baseload CO2 output emission rate to convert reductions of kilowatt-hours into avoided units of carbon dioxide emissions. Most users of the Equivalencies Calculator who seek equivalencies for electricity-related emissions want to know equivalencies for emissions reductions from energy efficiency or renewable energy programs. These programs are not generally assumed to affect baseload emissions (the emissions from power plants that run all the time), but rather non-baseload generation (power plants that are brought online as necessary to meet demand). For that reason, the Equivalencies Calculator uses a non-baseload emission rate. Emission Factor 6.89551 × 10-4 metric tons CO2 / kWh (eGRID, U.S. annual non-baseload CO2 output emission rate, year 2010 data) Notes: This calculation does not include any greenhouse gases other than CO2. This calculation does not include line losses. Individual subregion non-baseload emissions rates are also available on the eGRID Web site. To estimate indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use, please use Power Profiler or use eGRID subregion annual output emission rates as a default emission factor (see eGRID Year 2010 GHG Annual Output Emission Rates (PDF) (1 p, 312K, About PDF)). Sources EPA (2014) eGRID, U.S. annual non-baseload CO2 output emission rate, year 2010 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Gallons of gasoline consumed To obtain the number of grams of CO2 emitted per gallon of gasoline combusted, the heat content of the fuel per gallon is multiplied by the kg CO2 per heat content of the fuel. In the preamble to the joint EPA/Department of Transportation rulemaking on May 7, 2010 that established the initial National Program fuel economy standards for model years 2012-2016, the agencies stated that they had agreed to use a common conversion factor of 8,887 grams of CO2 emissions per gallon of gasoline consumed (Federal Register 2010). This value assumes that all the carbon in the gasoline is converted to CO2 (IPCC 2006). Calculation 8,887 grams of CO2 /gallon of gasoline =8.887 × 10-3 metric tons CO2/gallon of gasoline Sources Federal Register (2010). Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards; Final Rule, page 25,330 (PDF) (407 pp, 5.7MB, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Passenger vehicles per year Passenger vehicles are defined as 2-axle 4-tire vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, and sport/utility vehicles. In 2011, the weighted average combined fuel economy of cars and light trucks combined was 21.4 miles per gallon (FHWA 2013). The average vehicle miles traveled in 2011 was 11,318 miles per year. In 2011, the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) for passenger vehicles was 0.988 (EPA 2013a, EPA 2013b). The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned is 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons, as calculated in the “Gallons of gasoline consumed” section above. To determine annual greenhouse gas emissions per passenger vehicle, the following methodology was used: vehicle miles traveled (VMT) was divided by average gas mileage to determine gallons of gasoline consumed per vehicle per year. Gallons of gasoline consumed was multiplied by carbon dioxide per gallon of gasoline to determine carbon dioxide emitted per vehicle per year. Carbon dioxide emissions were then divided by the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total vehicle greenhouse gas emissions to account for vehicle methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons CO2/gallon gasoline × 11,318 VMT car/truck average × 1/21.4 miles per gallon car/truck average × 1 CO2, CH4, and N2O/0.988 CO2 = 4.75 metric tons CO2E /vehicle/year Sources EPA (2013a). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Chapter 3 (Energy), Tables 3-12, 3-13, and 3-14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (505 pp, 12.3MB, About PDF) EPA (2013b). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 6 (Additional Information), Table A-275. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (23 pp, 672kb, About PDF) FHWA (2013). Highway Statistics 2011. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway Administration. Table VM-1. Miles driven by the average passenger vehicle per year Passenger vehicles are defined as 2-axle 4-tire vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, and sport/utility vehicles. In 2011, the weighted average combined fuel economy of cars and light trucks combined was 21.4 miles per gallon (FHWA 2013). In 2011, the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) for passenger vehicles was 0.988 (EPA 2013a, EPA 2013b). The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned is 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons, as calculated in the “Gallons of gasoline consumed” section above. To determine annual greenhouse gas emissions per mile, the following methodology was used: carbon dioxide emissions per gallon of gasoline were divided by the average fuel economy of vehicles to determine carbon dioxide emitted per mile traveled by a typical passenger vehicle per year. Carbon dioxide emissions were then divided by the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total vehicle greenhouse gas emissions to account for vehicle methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons CO2/gallon gasoline × 1/21.4 miles per gallon car/truck average × 1 CO2, CH4, and N2O/0.988 CO2 = 4.20 x 10-4 metric tons CO2E /mile Sources EPA (2013a). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Chapter 3 (Energy), Tables 3-12, 3-13, and 3-14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (505 pp, 12.3MB, About PDF) EPA (2013b). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 6 (Additional Information), Table A-275. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (23 pp, 672kb, About PDF) FHWA (2013). Highway Statistics 2011. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway Administration. Table VM-1. Therms of natural gas Carbon dioxide emissions per therm are determined by multiplying heat content times the carbon coefficient times the fraction oxidized times the ratio of the molecular weight ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon (44/12). The average heat content of natural gas is 0.1 mmbtu per therm (EPA 2013). The average carbon coefficient of natural gas is 14.46 kg carbon per mmbtu (EPA 2013). The fraction oxidized to CO2 is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Note: When using this equivalency, please keep in mind that it represents the CO2 equivalency for natural gas burned as a fuel, not natural gas released to the atmosphere. Direct methane emissions released to the atmosphere (without burning) are about 21 times more powerful than CO2 in terms of their warming effect on the atmosphere. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 0.1 mmbtu/1 therm × 14.46 kg C/mmbtu × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C × 1 metric ton/1,000 kg = 0.005302 metric tons CO2/therm Sources EPA (2013). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-36. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Barrels of oil consumed Carbon dioxide emissions per barrel of crude oil are determined by multiplying heat content times the carbon coefficient times the fraction oxidized times the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12). The average heat content of crude oil is 5.80 mmbtu per barrel (EPA 2013). The average carbon coefficient of crude oil is 20.31 kg carbon per mmbtu (EPA 2013). The fraction oxidized is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 5.80 mmbtu/barrel × 20.31 kg C/mmbtu × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C × 1 metric ton/1,000 kg = 0.43 metric tons CO2/barrel Sources EPA (2013). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), P. A-68, Table A-38 and Table A-45. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Tanker trucks filled with gasoline The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned is 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons, as calculated in the “Gallons of gasoline consumed” section above. A barrel equals 42 gallons. A typical gasoline tanker truck contains 8,500 gallons. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 8.89 × 10-3 metric tons CO2/gallon × 8,500 gallons/tanker truck = 75.54 metric tons CO2/tanker truck Sources Federal Register (2010). Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards; Final Rule, page 25,330 (PDF) (407 pp, 5.7MB, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Number of incandescent bulbs switched to compact fluorescent bulbs A 13 watt compact fluorescent light bulb produces the same light output as a 60 watt incandescent light bulb. Annual energy consumed by a light bulb is calculated by multiplying the power (60 watts) by the average daily use (3 hours / day) by the number of days per year (365). Assuming an average daily use of 3 hours per day, an incandescent bulb consumes 65.7 kWh per year, and a compact fluorescent light bulb consumes 14.2 kWh per year (EPA 2013). Annual energy savings from replacing an incandescent light bulb with an equivalent compact fluorescent bulb are calculated by subtracting the annual energy consumption of the compact fluorescent light bulb (14.2 kWh) from the annual energy consumption of the incandescent bulb (65.7 kWh). Carbon dioxide emissions reduced per light bulb switched from an incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent bulb are calculated by multiplying annual energy savings by the national average non-baseload carbon dioxide output rate for delivered electricity. The national average non-baseload carbon dioxide output rate for generated electricity in 2010 was 1,519.6 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour (EPA 2014), which translates to about 1,637.5 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity (assuming transmission and distribution losses at 7.2%) (EIA 2013a, 2013b; EPA 2014). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 47 watts x 3 hours / day x 365 days / year x 1 kWh / 1,000 Wh = 51.5 kWh / year / bulb replaced 51.5 kWh / bulb / year x 1,637.5 pounds CO2 / MWh delivered electricity x 1 MWh / 1,000 kWh x 1 metric ton / 2,204.6 lbs = 3.82 x 10-2 metric tons CO2 / bulb replaced Sources EPA (2013). Savings Calculator for ENERGY STAR Qualified Light Bulbs. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. EIA (2013a). 2013 Annual Energy Outlook. Table A4 (PDF) (2 pp, 234K About PDF) EIA (2013b). 2013 Annual Energy Outlook, Table A8 (Total generation, use, and imports used for 7.5% T&D loss factor) (PDF) (2 pp, 230K About PDF)) EPA (2014). eGRID year 2010 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Home electricity use In 2012, 113.93 million homes in the United States consumed 1,375 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity (EIA 2013a). On average, each home consumed 12,069 kWh of delivered electricity (EIA 2013a). The national average carbon dioxide output rate for electricity generated in 2010 was 1,232.4 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour (EPA 2014), which translates to about 1,328.0 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity, assuming transmission and distribution losses at 7.2% (EIA 2013b). Annual home electricity consumption was multiplied by the carbon dioxide emission rate (per unit of electricity delivered) to determine annual carbon dioxide emissions per home. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 12,069 kWh per home × 1,232.4 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour generated × 1/(1-0.072) MWh delivered/MWh generated × 1 MWh/1,000 kWh × 1 metric ton/2,204.6 lb = 7.270 metric tons CO2/home. Sources EIA (2013a).2014 Annual Energy Outlook Early Release. Table A4 (PDF) (2 pp, 234K About PDF) EIA (2013b).2014 Annual Energy Outlook Early Release, Table A8 (Total generation, use, and imports used for 7.2% T&D loss factor) (PDF) (2 pp, 230K About PDF)) EPA (2014). eGRID year 2010 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Home energy use In 2012, there were 113.93 million homes in the United States (EIA 2013a). On average, each home consumed 12,069 kWh of delivered electricity. Nationwide household consumption of natural gas, liquified petroleum gas, and fuel oil totaled 4.26, 0.51, and 0.51 quadrillion Btu, respectively, in 2012 (EIA 2013a). Averaged across households in the United States, this amounts to 52,372 cubic feet of natural gas, 70 barrels of liquified petroleum gas, and 47 barrels of fuel oil per home. The national average carbon dioxide output rate for generated electricity in 2010 was 1,232 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour (EPA 2014), which translates to about 1,328.0 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity (assuming transmission and distribution losses at 7.2%) (EIA 2013a, 2013b; EPA 2014). The average carbon dioxide coefficient of natural gas is 0.0544 kg CO2 per cubic foot (EPA 2013c). The fraction oxidized to CO2 is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). The average carbon dioxide coefficient of distillate fuel oil is 429.61 kg CO2 per 42-gallon barrel (EPA 2013b). The fraction oxidized to CO2 is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). The average carbon dioxide coefficient of liquefied petroleum gases is 219.3 kg CO2 per 42-gallon barrel (EPA 2011b). The fraction oxidized is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Total single-family home electricity, natural gas, distillate fuel oil, and liquefied petroleum gas consumption figures were converted from their various units to metric tons of CO2 and added together to obtain total CO2 emissions per home. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 1. Electricity: 12,069 kWh per home × 1,232 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour generated × (1/(1-0.072)) MWh generated/MWh delivered × 1 MWh/1,000 kWh × 1 metric ton/2,204.6 lb = 7.270 metric tons CO2/home. 2. Natural gas: 52,372 cubic feet per home × 0.0544 kg CO2/cubic foot × 1/1,000 kg/metric ton = 2.85 metric tons CO2/home 3. Liquid petroleum gas: 70.4 gallons per home × 1/42 barrels/gallon × 219.3 kg CO2/barrel × 1/1,000 kg/metric ton = 0.37 metric tons CO2/home 4. Fuel oil: 47 gallons per home × 1/42 barrels/gallon × 429.61 kg CO2/barrel × 1/1,000 kg/metric ton = 0.48 metric tons CO2/home Total CO2 emissions for energy use per home: 7.270 metric tons CO2 for electricity + 2.85 metric tons CO2 for natural gas + 0.37 metric tons CO2 for liquid petroleum gas + 0.48 metric tons CO2 for fuel oil = 10.97 metric tons CO2 per home per year. Sources EIA (2013a).2014 Annual Energy Outlook Early Release. Table A4 (PDF) (2 pp, 234K About PDF) EIA (2013b). 2014 Annual Energy Outlook Early Release, Table A8 (Total generation, use, and imports used for 7.2% T&D loss factor) (PDF) (2 pp, 230K About PDF)) EPA (2013a).Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Tables A-36 and A-279. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). EPA (2013b). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-45. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). EPA (2011). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: Fast Facts 1990-2009. Conversion Factors to Energy Units (Heat Equivalents) Heat Contents and Carbon Content Coefficients of Various Fuel Types. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. USEPA #430-F-11-007 (PDF) (2 pp, 430K, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. EPA (2014). eGRID 2010 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Number of tree seedlings grown for 10 years A medium growth coniferous tree, planted in an urban setting and allowed to grow for 10 years, sequesters 23.2 lbs of carbon. This estimate is based on the following assumptions: The medium growth coniferous trees are raised in a nursery for one year until they become 1 inch in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground (the size of tree purchased in a 15-gallon container). The nursery-grown trees are then planted in a suburban/urban setting; the trees are not densely planted. The calculation takes into account “survival factors” developed by U.S. DOE (1998). For example, after 5 years (one year in the nursery and 4 in the urban setting), the probability of survival is 68 percent; after 10 years, the probability declines to 59 percent. For each year, the sequestration rate (in lbs per tree) is multiplied by the survival factor to yield a probability-weighted sequestration rate. These values are summed for the 10-year period, beginning from the time of planting, to derive the estimate of 23.2 lbs of carbon per tree. Please note the following caveats to these assumptions: While most trees take 1 year in a nursery to reach the seedling stage, trees grown under different conditions and trees of certain species may take longer: up to 6 years. Average survival rates in urban areas are based on broad assumptions, and the rates will vary significantly depending upon site conditions. Carbon sequestration is dependent on growth rate, which varies by location and other conditions. This method estimates only direct sequestration of carbon, and does not include the energy savings that result from buildings being shaded by urban tree cover. To convert to units of metric tons CO2 per tree, multiply by the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12) and the ratio of metric tons per pound (1/2,204.6). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 23.2 lbs C/tree × (44 units CO2 ÷ 12 units C) × 1 metric ton ÷ 2,204.6 lbs = 0.039 metric ton CO2 per urban tree planted Sources U.S. DOE (1998). Method for Calculating Carbon Sequestration by Trees in Urban and Suburban Settings. Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (16 pp, 111K, About PDF) Acres of U.S. forests storing carbon for one year Growing forests accumulate and store carbon. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it as cellulose, lignin, and other compounds. The rate of accumulation is equal to growth minus removals (i.e., harvest for the production of paper and wood) minus decomposition. In most U.S. forests, growth exceeds removals and decomposition, so the amount of carbon stored nationally is increasing overall. Calculation for U.S. Forests The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2010 (EPA 2012) provides data on the net change in forest carbon stocks and forest area. Net changes in carbon attributed to harvested wood products are not included in the calculation. Annual Net Change in Carbon Stocks per Area in Year n = (Carbon Stocks(t+1) - Carbon Stockst) ÷ Area of land remaining in the same land-use category Step 1: Determine the carbon stock change between years by subtracting carbon stocks in year t from carbon stocks in year (t+1). (This includes carbon stocks in the above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, dead wood, litter, and soil organic carbon pools.) Step 2: Determine the annual net change in carbon stocks (i.e., sequestration) per area by dividing the carbon stock change in U.S. forests from Step 1 by the total area of U.S. forests remaining in forests in year n+1 (i.e., the area of land that did not change land-use categories between the time periods). Applying these calculations to data developed by the USDA Forest Service for the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2010 yields a result of 150 metric tons of carbon per hectare (or 61 metric tons of carbon per acre) for the carbon stock density of U.S. forests in 2010, with an annual net change in carbon stock per area in 2010 of 0.82 metric tons of carbon sequestered per hectare per year (or 0.33 metric tons of carbon sequestered per acre per year). These values include carbon in the five forest pools: above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood, litter, and soil organic carbon, and are based on state-level Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Forest carbon stocks and carbon stock change are based on the stock difference methodology and algorithms described by Smith, Heath, and Nichols (2010). Conversion Factor for Carbon Sequestered in One Year by 1 Acre of Average U.S. Forest Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. -0.33 metric ton C/acre/year* (44 units CO2 ÷ 12 units C) = -1.22 metric ton CO2 sequestered annually by one acre of average U.S. forest. *Negative values indicate carbon sequestration. Please note that this is an estimate for “average” U.S. forests in 2010; i.e., for U.S. forests as a whole in 2010. Significant geographical variations underlie the national estimates, and the values calculated here might not be representative of individual regions or states. To estimate carbon sequestered for additional acres in one year, simply multiply the number of acres by 1.22 mt CO2 acre/year. From 2000–2010 the average annual sequestration per area was 0.73 metric tons C hectare/year (or 0.30 metric tons C acre/year) in the United States, with a minimum value of 0.36 metric tons C hectare/year (or 0.15 metric tons C acre/year) in 2000, and a maximum value of 0.83 metric tons C hectare/year (or 0.34 metric tons C acre/year) in 2006. Sources EPA (2012). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-12-001 (PDF) (481 pp, 16.6MB, About PDF) IPCC (2006). Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 4. Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Smith, J., Heath, L., & Nichols, M. (2010). U.S. Forest Carbon Calculation Tool User's Guide: Forestland Carbon Stocks and Net Annual Stock Change. General Technical Report NRS-13 revised, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Acres of U.S. forest preserved from conversion to cropland Based on data developed by the USDA Forest Service for the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2010, the carbon stock density of U.S. forests in 2010 was 150 metric tons of carbon per hectare (or 61 metric tons of carbon per acre) (EPA 2012). This estimate is composed of the five carbon pools: aboveground biomass (52 metric tons C/hectare), belowground biomass (10 metric tons C /hectare), dead wood (9 metric tons C/hectare), litter (17 metric tons/C hectare), and soil organic carbon (62 metric tons C/hectare). The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2010 estimates soil carbon stock changes using U.S.-specific equations and data from the USDA Natural Resource Inventory and the Century biogeochemical model (EPA 2012). When calculating carbon stock changes in biomass due to conversion from forestland to cropland, the IPCC guidelines indicate that the average carbon stock change is equal to the carbon stock change due to removal of biomass from the outgoing land use (i.e., forestland) plus the carbon stocks from one year of growth in the incoming land use (i.e., cropland), or the carbon in biomass immediately after the conversion minus the carbon in biomass prior to the conversion plus the carbon stocks from one year of growth in the incoming land use (i.e., cropland) (IPCC 2006). The carbon stock in annual cropland biomass after one year is 5 metric tons C per hectare, and the carbon content of dry aboveground biomass is 45 percent (IPCC 2006). Therefore, the carbon stock in cropland after one year of growth is estimated to be 2.25 metric tons C per hectare (or 0.91 metric tons C per acre). The averaged reference soil carbon stock (for high-activity clay, low-activity clay, and sandy soils for all climate regions in the United States) is 40.83 metric tons C/hectare (EPA 2012). Carbon stock change in soils is time-dependent, with a default time period for transition between equilibrium soil organic carbon values of 20 years for mineral soils in cropland systems (IPCC 2006). Consequently, it is assumed that the change in equilibrium mineral soil organic carbon will be annualized over 20 years to represent the annual flux. The IPCC (2006) guidelines indicate that there are insufficient data to provide a default approach or parameters to estimate carbon stock change from dead organic matter pools or below-ground carbon stocks in perennial cropland (IPCC 2006). Calculation for Converting U.S. Forests to U.S. Cropland Annual Change in Biomass Carbon Stocks on Land Converted to Other Land-Use Category ∆CB = ∆CG + CConversion - ∆CL Where: ∆CB = annual change in carbon stocks in biomass on land converted to another land-use category ∆CG = annual increase in carbon stocks in biomass due to growth on land converted to another land-use category (i.e., 2.25 metric tons C/hectare) CConversion = initial change in carbon stocks in biomass on land converted to another land-use category. The sum of the carbon stocks in aboveground, belowground, deadwood, and litter biomass (-88.47 metric tons C/hectare). Immediately after conversion from forestland to cropland, biomass is assumed to be zero, as the land is cleared of all vegetation before planting crops) ∆CL = annual decrease in biomass stocks due to losses from harvesting, fuel wood gathering, and disturbances on land converted to other land-use category (assumed to be zero) Therefore: ∆CB = ∆CG + CConversion - ∆CL = -86.22 metric tons C/hectare/year of biomass carbon stocks are lost when forestland is converted to cropland in the year of conversion. Annual Change in Organic Carbon Stocks in Mineral Soils ∆CMineral = (SOC0 - SOC(0-T)) ÷ D Where: ∆CMineral = annual change in carbon stocks in mineral soils SOC0 = soil organic carbon stock in last year of inventory time period (i.e., 40.83 mt/hectare) SOC(0-T) = soil organic carbon stock at beginning of inventory time period (i.e., 62 mt C/hectare) D = Time dependence of stock change factors which is the default time period for transition between equilibrium SOC values (i.e., 20 years for cropland systems) Therefore: ∆CMineral = (SOC0 - SOC(0-T)) ÷ D = (40.83 - 62) ÷ 20 = -1.06 metric tons C/hectare/year of soil organic C lost. Source: (IPCC 2006). Consequently, the change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland would be -86.22 metric tons of C/hectare/year of biomass plus -1.06 metric tons C/hectare/year of soil organic C, equaling a total loss of 87.28 metric tons C/hectare/ year (or -35.32 metric tons C/acre/year) in the year of conversion. To convert to carbon dioxide, multiply by the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12), to yield a value of -320.01 metric tons CO2 hectare/year (or -129.51 metric tons CO2 acre/year) in the year of conversion. Conversion Factor for Carbon Sequestered by 1 Acre of Forest Preserved from Conversion to Cropland Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. -35.32 metric tons C/acre/year* (44 units CO2 ÷ 12 units C) = -129.51 metric tons CO2/acre/year (in the year of conversion) *Negative values indicate CO2 that is NOT emitted. To estimate CO2 not emitted when an acre of forest is preserved from conversion to cropland, simply multiply the number of acres of forest not converted by -129.51 mt CO2e/acre/year. Note that this represents CO2 avoided in the year of conversion. Please also note that this calculation method assumes that all of the forest biomass is oxidized during clearing (i.e., none of the burned biomass remains as charcoal or ash). Also note that this estimate only includes mineral soil carbon stocks, as most forests in the contiguous United States are growing on mineral soils. In the case of mineral soil forests, soil carbon stocks could be replenished or even increased, depending on the starting stocks, how the agricultural lands are managed, and the time frame over which lands are managed. Sources EPA (2012). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-12-001 (PDF) (481 pp, 16.6MB, About PDF) IPCC (2006). Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 4. Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Propane cylinders used for home barbecues Propane is 81.7 percent carbon (EPA 2013). The fraction oxidized is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Carbon dioxide emissions per pound of propane were determined by multiplying the weight of propane in a cylinder times the carbon content percentage times the fraction oxidized times the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12). Propane cylinders vary with respect to size; for the purpose of this equivalency calculation, a typical cylinder for home use was assumed to contain 18 pounds of propane. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 18 pounds propane/1 cylinder × 0.817 pounds C/pound propane × 0.4536 kilograms/pound × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C × 1 metric ton/1,000 kg = 0.024 metric tons CO2/cylinder Sources EPA (2013). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-48, P. A-82. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Railcars of coal burned The average heat content of coal consumed in the U.S. in 2013 was 21.48 mmbtu per metric ton (EPA 2014). The average carbon coefficient of coal combusted for electricity generation in 2012 was 26.05 kilograms carbon per mmbtu (EPA 2013). The fraction oxidized is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Carbon dioxide emissions per ton of coal were determined by multiplying heat content times the carbon coefficient times the fraction oxidized times the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12). The amount of coal in an average railcar was assumed to be 100.19 short tons, or 90.89 metric tons (Hancock 2001). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 21.48 mmbtu/metric ton coal × 26.05 kg C/mmbtu × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C × 90.89 metric tons coal/railcar × 1 metric ton/1,000 kg = 186.50 metric tons CO2/railcar Sources EIA (2014). Monthly Energy Review. February 2014. Approximate Heat Content of Coal and Coal Coke, Table A-5. (1 pp, 73.2kb, About PDF). EPA (2013). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-36. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). Hancock (2001). Hancock, Kathleen and Sreekanth, Ande. Conversion of Weight of Freight to Number of Railcars. Transportation Research Board, Paper 01-2056, 2001. IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Pounds of coal burned The average heat content of coal consumed in the U.S. in 2013 was 21.48 mmbtu per metric ton (EIA 2014). The average carbon coefficient of coal combusted for electricity generation in 2012 was 26.05 kilograms carbon per mmbtu (EPA 2013). The fraction oxidized is 100 percent (IPCC 2006). Carbon dioxide emissions per pound of coal were determined by multiplying heat content times the carbon coefficient times the fraction oxidized times the ratio of the molecular weight of carbon dioxide to that of carbon (44/12). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 21.48 mmbtu/metric ton coal × 26.05 kg C/mmbtu × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C × 1 metric ton coal / 2,204.6 pound of coal x 1 metric ton/1,000 kg = 9.31 x 10-4 metric tons CO2/pound of coal Sources EIA (2014). Monthly Energy Review. February 2014. Approximate Heat Content of Coal and Coal Coke, Table A-5. (1 pp, 73.2kb, About PDF). EPA (2013). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2011. Annex 2 (Methodology for estimating CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-36. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. U.S. EPA #430-R-13-001 (PDF) (429 pp, 10.6MB, About PDF). IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Switzerland. Tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled To develop the conversion factor for recycling rather than landfilling waste, emission factors from EPA’s WAste Reduction Model (WARM) were used (EPA 2012). These emission factors were developed following a life-cycle assessment methodology using estimation techniques developed for national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions. According to WARM, the net emission reduction from recycling mixed recyclables (e.g., paper, metals, plastics), compared with a baseline in which the materials are landfilled, is 0.73 metric tons of carbon equivalent per short ton. This factor was then converted to metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by multiplying by 44/12, the molecular weight ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 0.76 metric tons of carbon equivalent/ton × 44 kg CO2/12 kg C = 2.79 metric tons CO2 equivalent /ton of waste recycled instead of landfilled Sources EPA (2013). WAste Reduction Model (WARM). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Number of garbage trucks of waste recycled instead of landfilled The carbon dioxide equivalent emissions avoided from recycling instead of landfilling 1 ton of waste are 2.67 metric tons CO2 equivalent per ton, as calculated in the “Tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled” section above. Carbon dioxide emissions reduced per garbage truck full of waste were determined by multiplying emissions avoided from recycling instead of landfilling 1 ton of waste by the amount of waste in an average garbage truck. The amount of waste in an average garbage truck was assumed to be 7 tons (EPA 2002). Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 2.79 metric tons CO2 equivalent /ton of waste recycled instead of landfilled x 7 tons / garbage truck = 19.51 metric tons CO2E /garbage truck of waste recycled instead of landfilled Sources EPA (2013). WAste Reduction Model (WARM). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA (2002). Waste Transfer Stations: A Manual for Decision-Making. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Coal-fired power plant emissions for one year In 2010, a total of 454 power plants used coal to generate at least 95% of their electricity (EPA 2014). These plants emitted 1,729,127,770.8 metric tons of CO2 in 2010. Carbon dioxide emissions per power plant were calculated by dividing the total emissions from power plants whose primary source of fuel was coal by the number of power plants. Calculation Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 1,729,127,770.8 metric tons of CO2 × 1/454 power plants = 3,808,651 metric tons CO2/power plant Sources EPA (2014). eGRID 2010 data. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Number of wind turbines installed In 2012, the average nameplate capacity of wind turbines installed in the U.S. was 1.94 MW (DOE 2013). The average wind capacity factor in the U.S. in 2012 was 31 percent (DOE 2013). Electricity generation from an average wind turbine was determined by multiplying the average nameplate capacity of a wind turbine in the U.S. (1.94 MW) by the average U.S. wind capacity factor (0.31) and by the number of hours per year. It was assumed that the electricity generated from an installed wind turbine would replace marginal sources of grid electricity. The U.S. annual non-baseload CO2 output emission rate to convert reductions of kilowatt-hours into avoided units of carbon dioxide emissions is 6.89551 x 10-4, as calculated in the “Electricity reductions” section above. Carbon dioxide emissions avoided per wind turbine installed were determined by multiplying the average electricity generated per wind turbine in a year by the national average non-baseload grid electricity CO2 output rate (EPA 2012). Note: Due to rounding, performing the calculations given in the equations below may not return the exact results shown. 1.94 MWaverage capacity x 0.31 x 8,760 hours / year x 1,000 kWh/MWh x 6.89551 x 10-4 metric tons CO2 / kWh reduced = 3,633 metric tons CO2 / wind turbine installed Sources DOE (2013). 2012 Wind Technologies Market Report (PDF) (92 pp, 3.4MB). U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division. EIA (2013).Form EIA-923 detailed data, annual final 2012. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC. Clean Energy Home Basic Information Energy and You Clean Energy Programs Clean Energy Resources Site Map EPA Home Privacy and Security Notice Contact Us http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/refs.html Print As-Is Last updated on 9/9/2014 Share