U.S. Organic Waste Digestion Protocol Development

Version 2.1

The U.S. Organic Waste Digestion (OWD) Protocol underwent a technical revision that reflects previously released errata and clarifications, clarifications to eligibility requirements, and updates to the quantification methodology, biogas control system monitoring requirements, and data tables. See the document below for a comprehensive list of revisions.

Public Webinar

The Reserve hosted an informational webinar to discuss revisions to the protocol on February 12, 2014. Please see meeting materials below.

Reserve Presentation
Meeting Video

Version 2.0

The U.S. Organic Waste Digestion Protocol Version 2.0 was approved by the Reserve Board on June 29, 2011. Version 2.0 of the protocol contains important revisions to the eligibility criteria such as the definition of an eligible waste stream, the Performance Standard Test, and the Legal Requirement Test. The protocol was also updated to reflect language seen in the U.S. Organic Waste Composting Protocol. Please see below for the complete summary of changes to the protocol.

Public Comments

The Reserve held a 30-day public comment period for written comments on the draft U.S. OWD Protocol Version 2.0. The comment period ended on June 3, 2011 and public comments are available below.

Staff Response to Public Comments on Draft U.S. OWD Protocol Version 2.0

EarthWorks Waste Management
Edgar & Associates Yorke Engineering, LLC
Organic Waste Systems, Inc.

Version 1.0

The Reserve began developing the U.S. Organic Waste Digestion Protocol in November 2008. The technical workgroup met from February through September, during which time drafts of the protocol were made available for workgroup and public review and comment. A public workshop was held in August 2009 to discuss the draft protocol and encourage further public feedback. Staff made final revisions to the protocol in September 2009 and it was approved by the Reserve Board on October 7, 2009.

Public Comments

AECOM International Engineering Services, Inc.
California Refuse Recycling Council Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee
California Integrated Waste Management Board Microgy, Inc.
Californians Against Waste Pacific Gas and Electric Company
ClimeCo America Corporation Richardson Smith Gardner and Associates
Dublin San Ramon Services District Sacramento Municipal Utility District
East Bay Municipal Utility District Storm Fisher Biogas
Element Markets Terra Pass
Fluid Components International LLC Verdeo Group, Inc.
Greenhouse Gas Services, LLC Ze-Gen, Inc.

Staff Response to Public Comments, Version 1.0 (September 2009)

Public Workshop

The Reserve hosted a public workshop on August 26, 2009 in Sacramento, CA, to provide a venue for public feedback on the draft U.S. Organic Waste Digestion Protocol. The agenda from the workshop is available below.

OWD Public Workshop Agenda

Workgroup Participants

The Climate Action Reserve worked closely with a multi-stakeholder workgroup throughout the protocol development process. The workgroup included industry representatives, state and federal agency personnel, NGOs, and expert consultants. The group of stakeholders reviewed and commented on the draft protocol, and ensured that the Reserve produced a high quality GHG reduction protocol for OWD activities.

Atmosclear.org Greenhouse Gas Services, LLC
Bluesource Hilmar Cheese
California Air Resources Board Humboldt Waste Management Authority
California Integrated Waste Management Board Microgy
Californians Against Waste Recology [formerly Norcal Waste Systems]
Cantor CO2e Terra Pass
City of Los Angeles Tetra Tech
City of San Francisco University of Washington
County of San Francisco UC Davis
Climate Check Waste Management
CR&R Inc. Western United Dairymen
First Environment, Inc.  

Please contact the Reserve with questions or comments.