§ 145.392. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in § § 145.391—145.397 (relating to CO2 emissions offset projects), have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
AEPS—Alternative energy portfolio standards—Standards establishing that a certain amount of energy sold from alternative energy sources, as defined under section 2 of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (73 P.S. § 1648.2), is included as part of the sources of electric generation by electric utilities within this Commonwealth.
Anaerobic digester—A device that promotes the decomposition of organic material to simple organics and gaseous biogas products, in the absence of elemental oxygen, usually accomplished by means of controlling temperature and volume, and that includes a methane recovery system.
Anaerobic digestion—The decomposition of organic material including manure brought about through the action of microorganisms in the absence of elemental oxygen.
Anaerobic storage—Storage of organic material in an oxygen-free environment, or under oxygen-free conditions, including holding tanks, ponds and lagoons.
Biogas—Gas resulting from the decomposition of organic matter under anaerobic conditions, the principle constituents of which are methane and carbon dioxide.
Conflict of interest—A situation that may arise with respect to an individual in relation to any specific project sponsor, CO2 emissions offset project or category of offset projects, such that the individual’s other activities or relationships with other persons or organizations render or may render the individual incapable of providing an impartial certification opinion, or otherwise compromise the individual’s objectivity in performing certification functions.
Forest offset project—An offset project involving reforestation, improved forest management or avoided conversion.
Forest offset project data report—The report prepared by a project sponsor each year that provides the information and documentation required by § § 145.391—145.397 or the forest offset protocol.
Forest offset protocol—The protocol titled ‘‘Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Offset Protocol U.S. Forest Projects,’’ published by the participating states on June 12, 2013.
Independent verifier—An individual that has been approved by the Department or its agent to conduct verification activities.
Intentional reversal—Any reversal caused by a forest owner’s negligence, gross negligence or willful intent, including harvesting, development and harm to the area within the offset project boundary.
Market penetration rate—A measure of the diffusion of a technology, product or practice in a defined market, as represented by the percentage of annual sales for a product or practice, or as a percentage of the existing installed stock for a product or category of products, or as the percentage of existing installed stock that utilizes a practice.
Offset project—(i) All equipment, materials, items or actions directly related to the reduction of CO2e emissions or the sequestration of carbon specified in a consistency application submitted under § 145.394 (relating to application process).
(ii) This term does not include equipment, materials, items or actions unrelated to an offset project reduction of CO2e emissions or the sequestration of carbon but occurring at a location where an offset project occurs, unless specified in § 145.395 (relating to CO2 emissions offset project standards).
Project commencement—(i) For an offset project involving physical construction, other work at an offset project site or installation of equipment or materials, the date of the beginning of the activity.
(ii) For an offset project that involves the implementation of a management activity or protocol, the date on which the activity is first implemented or the protocol is first utilized.
(iii) For an offset project involving reforestation, improved forest management or avoided conversion, the date specified in section 3.2 of the forest offset protocol.
Project sponsor—The sponsor of an offset project under § § 145.391—145.397.
Regional-type anaerobic digester—An anaerobic digester using feedstock from more than one agricultural operation or importing feedstock from more than one agricultural operation.
Reporting period—The period of time covered by a forest offset project data report. The first reporting period for a forest offset project in an initial crediting period may consist of 6 to 24 consecutive months; all subsequent reporting periods in an initial crediting and all reporting periods in any renewed crediting period must consist of 12 consecutive months.
Reversal—A greenhouse gas emission reduction or greenhouse gas removal enhancement for which CO2 offset allowances have been issued that is subsequently released or emitted back into the atmosphere due to any intentional or unintentional circumstance.
System benefit fund—Any fund collected directly from retail electricity or natural gas ratepayers.
Total solids—The total of all solids in a sample, including the total suspended solids, total dissolved solids and volatile suspended solids.
Unintentional reversal—Any reversal, including wildfires, insects or disease, that is not the result of the forest owner’s negligence, gross negligence or willful intent.
Verification—The confirmation by an independent verifier that certain parts of a CO2 emissions offset project consistency application and measurement, monitoring or verification report conforms to the requirements of § § 145.391—145.397.
Volatile solids—The fraction of total solids that is comprised primarily of organic matter as defined in EPA Method Number 160.4, Methods for the Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (MCAWW) (EPA/600/4-79/020).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 145.302 (relating to definitions); 25 Pa. Code § 145.391 (relating to purpose); 25 Pa. Code § 145.393 (relating to general requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 145.394 (relating to application process); 25 Pa. Code § 145.395 (relating to CO2 emissions offset project standards); and 25 Pa. Code § 145.397 (relating to award and recordation of CO2 offset allowances).
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