California Integrated Waste Management Board

Strategic Directives

SD-9: Research and Development of Technology

This page provides information on the CIWMB's Strategic Directive 9 (SD-9). Each of the four subdirectives links to further explanation including baseline measurement, metrics or performance criteria, annual targets, and key activities.

Directive
It is a key value of the CIWMB to encourage innovations and technologies that provide for the most efficient and effective management and reuse of materials, in accordance with the waste management hierarchy and in support of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32, Núñez, Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006).

Specifically, the CIWMB will:

  1. Develop a focused process to coordinate research activities that support the CIWMB's purpose and vision, utilizing basic research, applied research, and technology transfer.
  2. Encourage the development of alternative energy and biofuels.
  3. Play an active role in the Bioenergy Interagency Working Group.
  4. Actively participate in the Climate Action Team and implement the greenhouse gas reduction plans as part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

9.1--Develop a focused process to coordinate research activities that support the CIWMB's purpose and vision, utilizing basic research, applied research, and technology transfer.

This subdirective sets the foundation for coordinating research activities to encourage necessary innovations and technologies that are key to increased diversion and intelligent resource management. Its focus is to establish a systematic process by which the Board can coordinate and direct research activities on an annual or ongoing basis with dedicated funds so that projects are better prioritized, are consistent with the Board's mission, provide synergy between overlapping project areas, and result in applied research in the waste management sectors and technology transfer for emerging innovations.

Baseline
The Board does not have a coordinated process for research activities so there is no baseline for comparison. To date, research activities have been sporadic and opportunistic through either the contract concept process or the reallocation process using whatever consulting and professional services funds are available at the time.

Metrics or Performance Criteria
Metrics and performance criteria will be determined based on the research process model adopted by the Board. The initial metric for this subdirective is the development of a research program based on Board input.

Annual Targets
The near term annual targets for SD 9.1 are designed to set the stage for longer-term performance metrics and are the necessary first steps in establishing a coordinated research program.

Targets by the end of 2007 are that staff will provide research models to the Board for its consideration. This will provide the Board with framework options and will include suggestions (e.g., budget allocation, budget change proposals [BCP], legislation as warranted) to provide consistent funding for research in 2008.

Key Activities
The key activity for SD 9 is to research different models for focused research. This will entail an analysis and comparison of existing research models such as the Florida model, the Air Resources Board (ARB) research program, the U.S. EPA Joint Bioenergy Institute model, and any other applicable models of interest. Staff will develop research model options for Board consideration that include funding and person year (PY) considerations to implement the research program. Subsequent activities will be to implement the research model as directed by the Board.

9.2--Encourage the development of alternative energy and biofuels

Issued in April 2006, Executive Order S-06-06 called for California to increase its share of biofuel production and electricity from biomass. The order stemmed from, among other things, increased public concern over escalating fuel costs and reliance on petroleum, and the desire for strong state advocacy and commitment for improving resource management and mitigating climate change. Materials in the waste stream can be used as resources to produce alternative renewable energy and biofuels, thereby increasing diversion and developing new markets

Baseline
In order to determine subsequent success in the development of alternative energy and biofuels, staff acquired information on current energy production from landfill gas (LFG), solid fuel biomass-to-energy, and anaerobic digestion.

Based on data from the California Energy Commission and Board staff, current energy production from landfill gas is approximately 280 megawatts electrical (MWe). Energy production from solid fuel biomass-to-energy is approximately 641 megawatts (MW). Currently, electricity or biofuels are not commercially produced from anaerobic digestion or other technologies such as gasification or pyrolysis. Biofuels production from landfill gas is negligible at this point but a number of projects have been initiated in Sonoma County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Sacramento County.

Metrics or Performance Criteria
Number of facilities using solid waste or landfill gas to produce bioenergy or biofuel; total amounts of bioenergy and biofuel produced.

Annual Targets
Within the next 12 months, increase the amount of bioenergy and biofuel production from solid waste and landfill gas. This will likely come from increased LFG-to-energy (LFGTE) production or LFG to compressed natural gas/liquified natural gas (CNG/LNG) programs coming online. Other targets include the need to clarify current regulations and policies related to anaerobic digestion and to obtain Board funding for competitive grants.

Key Activities

  • Assist Los Angeles (city and county) on bioenergy projects.
  • Assist Santa Barbara on CT evaluation project.
  • Work with sister agencies to resolve LFGTE nitrogen oxides (NOx) issues.
  • Municipal solid waste (MSW) residuals geographic information systems (GIS) project.
  • Complete LFG to LNG demonstration grant projects.
  • Proposals for potential project grants/contracts.
  • Address regulatory barriers

9.3--Play an active role in the Bioenergy Interagency Working Group

Executive Order S-06-06 also established targets for production and use of biofuels and directed relevant state agencies to work together to achieve the targets established in the Executive Order. The Bioenergy Interagency Working Group (Working Group) was formed as part of the Executive Order and the Executive Order directed the Working Group to develop an integrated and comprehensive state policy for bioenergy and biofuel production.

Baseline
The Board has been an active participant of the Working Group.

Metrics or Performance Criteria
As part of its role as a member of the Working Group, the Board contributed to the development of the Statewide Bioenergy Action Plan (Plan). The Plan calls for, among other things, amending existing statutory technology definitions.

Metrics for SD 9.3 are to provide technical analysis/assistance on bioenergy and biofuels legislation as session progresses and to assist the California Energy Commission (CEC) in formulating a communications plan about the benefits of bioenergy development.

Annual Targets
For the next 12 months, the Board will assist the CEC with the communications plan and will continue to be an active participant in the Working Group.

Key Activities
Participate in Working Group, develop communications plan, and provide technical analysis on legislative proposals.

9.4--Actively participate in the Climate Action Team and implement the greenhouse gas reduction plans as part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Board maintains active involvement in the State's climate change efforts by being a member of the Climate Action Team, participating in advisory subcommittees, and working with the ARB on the implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The focus of climate change issues for the Board include landfill management and gas recovery, issues related to the conversion of landfill gas to energy, recycling and waste reduction, and diversion of organic materials to minimize landfill methane generation and provide alternative beneficial uses of these resources.

Baseline
Number of landfills, amount of waste in place, number of gas recovery systems in place, amount of landfill gas recovered to energy, amount of materials currently disposed that could be diverted to recycling programs, composting, and alternative management options. Board staff has been working with ARB staff to firm up greenhouse gas inventory numbers related to solid waste management which will serve as the baseline along with the other metrics listed.

Metrics or Performance Criteria
The ultimate metric or performance criterion for climate change is to measure tons of greenhouse gas reductions attributed to the implementation of new solid waste management programs. Additional performance criteria will be the submetrics listed in the baseline above, e.g., increase in the number of landfills with gas recovery systems, additional tons of waste diverted to recycling programs, incremental tons of compost produced and sold, etc.

Annual Targets
Annual targets are completion of essential projects designed to encourage the achievement of climate change metrics. These targets include the guidance document for best management practices (BMP) to reduce greenhouse gas from landfills by March 2008; working with the ARB to initiate rulemaking on landfill early action measures; additional definition for implementation of commercial recycling and other greenhouse gas reduction options; final reports on landfill gas to LNG demonstrations grants by April 2009; final report on the organics lifecycle assessment and greenhouse gas economics study by January 2009; and final report on the CEC landfill methane study by May 2010.

Key Activities
Continued participation in Climate Action Team and coordination with ARB on implementation of California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Initial projects that are underway include working with ARB on implementing early action measures; conducting the lifecycle analysis and economics contract and the CEC and Board landfill studies; Board consideration of additional greenhouse gas reduction programs or requirements for commercial and residential sectors and for waste management facilities.

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Last updated: November 10, 2008
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