Biomethane can serve as a natural gas substitute, produced from the capture and refinement of waste gases. The new method will allow biomethane from waste and agricultural methods to reduce emissions and receive Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs).
Method development plan
| Development stage | Status | Milestones for the 2021 calendar year |
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| Planning and scoping | Complete | - Ministerial method priority announced quarter 4 2020.
- Initial method scoping and planning completed in quarter 1 2021.
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| Develop draft method | In progress | |
| Technical and expert consultation | In progress | - Technical review scheduled quarters 2 and 3 2021.
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| ERAC consideration | Pending | - ERAC consideration scheduled quarter 3 2021.
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| Public consultation | Pending | - Public consultation scheduled quarter 3 2021.
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| Refinement and draft finalisation | Pending | - Refinement and draft finalisation during quarter 4 2021.
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| ERAC approval | Pending | - ERAC review scheduled quarter 4 2021.
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| Minister approval | Pending | - Method finalisation by quarter 4 2021.
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Issues Register
| Issue | Response |
|---|
| Consideration of waste feedstocks beyond those covered by the existing ERF methods. | The Clean Energy Regulator (the agency) is investigating whether sufficient evidence is available to support the inclusion of agricultural waste feedstocks currently not covered by the ERF waste methods. |
| Determining the appropriate length of a crediting period for biomethane injection projects. | The agency will collaborate with stakeholders to consider evidence on an appropriate crediting period for biomethane injection projects, noting the need to meet the Offsets Integrity Standards.
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| Appropriateness of abatement calculation approaches, including for fugitive emissions and lifecycle abatement. | The agency will review stakeholder feedback and seek technical expertise on the proposed calculation approach.
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Interaction with guarantee of origin schemes.
| The agency will consult on options for allowing the method to work in tandem with future guarantee of origin schemes for biomethane.
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