U.S. Livestock Project Protocol Development

Version 3.0

The Livestock Project Protocol Version 3.0 policy revision was adopted by the Reserve Board in September 2010. The protocol underwent minor edits and clarifications as well as the significant revisions listed below. Please see the Summary of Revisions document below for a detailed discussion of the changes.

  • Revised start date to reflect new start date policy
  • Added opportunity for second 10-year crediting period
  • Updated guidance and presentation of GHG Assessment Boundary
  • Added new standardized equation to account for digester venting events
  • Added CO2 from electricity consumption to emission calculations
  • New verification options to reduce verification costs
  • Incorporated verification guidance section

U.S. and Mexico Livestock Project Protocol Summary of Revisions (September 29, 2010)

Public Comments

The public comments received during the public comment period and the staff responses to public comments are available below.

AgRefresh Sage Metering, Inc.
Camco International Group Inc TerraPass Inc.

Staff Response to Public Comments on Draft Livestock Project Protocol Version 3.0

Version 2.2

The Livestock Project Protocol Version 2.2 technical revision was completed in November 2009. This revision involved editorial changes to make the protocol consistent with Reserve program updates as well as improvements to methodologies and clarifying protocol guidance. Notable changes from Version 2.1 include:

  • Updated project start date language
  • Inclusion of new data substitution methodology
  • Revised biogas metering and meter calibration requirements
  • Updated biogas collection efficiency default value
  • Updated state-specific volatile solids default values

Livestock Project Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 2.1 to 2.2

Version 2.1

The Livestock Project Protocol Version 2.1 was completed by the Reserve in August 2008. As it was a technical revision, it did not require public comment or Board approval.

To maintain consistency with international best practice, the default Maximum Methane Potential (Bo) value for dairy cows was updated from 0.35 to 0.24 (m3/kg VS). This update (Table B.3, Appendix B) is the only change from Version 2.0 to Version 2.1 of the Livestock Project Reporting Protocol.

Version 2.0

The Livestock Project Protocol Version 2.0 was completed by the Reserve in August 2008. As it was a policy revision, there was a public comment period and the protocol was sent to the Reserve Board for approval. Notable changes include:

  • Requirement to compare ex-post metered methane data to the calculation results.
  • Update to the project monitoring section
  • Addition on various default values/look up tables (typical animal mass values, volatile solids, biogas control system collection efficiency, etc.)
  • Changed default percentage of VS in digester effluent from 30% to 20%

All of the changes in Version 2.0 are detailed in the document below:

Livestock Project Protocol Summary of Changes from Version 1.0 to 2.0 (August 12, 2008)

Public Comments:

AgRefresh Environmental Power Corporation and Microgy, Inc.
California Department of Food & Agriculture TerraPass
Daniel Farchy, Project Developer Western United Dairymen

Staff Response to Public Comments, Version 2.0 (August 2008)

Version 1.0

The Reserve began development of the Livestock Project Protocol during spring 2006. The technical workgroup met from fall 2006 to spring 2007, during which time drafts of the protocol were made available for public comment. Staff made final revisions to the protocol based on the public comments received and the Reserve Board adopted the protocol in June 2007.

Staff Response to Public Comments, Version 1.0 (August 2008)

Workgroup Participants

Susan Wood AgCert
William Salas Applied Geosolutions
Patrick Gaffney California Air Resources Board
Kitty Howard California Air Resources Board
Doug Thompson California Air Resources Board
Dan Weller California Air Resources Board
Steve Schaffer California Department of Food and Agriculture
Cynthia Cory CA Farm Bureau
John Shears CEERT
Suzy Friedman Environmental Defense
Martha Davis Inland Empire Utility Agency
Scott Leloni Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Allen Dusault Sustainable Conservation
Michael Boccadoro The Dolphin Group
Melissa Weitz U.S. EPA
Frank Mitleohner UC Davis
Paul Martin Western United Dairymen
Paul Sousa Western United Dairymen

Please contact the Policy Team with questions or comments.