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AGENDA II.a.
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AGENDA II.b.
Commission Rule 137-047-0285R
(6) Sale, Transfer, and Disposal of Personal Property.
(a) Authorization. The Commission grants approval of a special procurement for the sale,
transfer, and disposal of Personal Property, as described in this Rule.
(b) Application. This rule constitutes the Commission’s procedures for the sale, transfer, and
disposal of Personal Property. This rule and these procedures do not apply to the
disposition of Real Property. Pursuant to ORS 279A.065(6), the Commission has
prescribed that the Commission will use these rules of procedure for the sale, transfer, and
disposal of Personal Property.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of these procedures regarding the sale, transfer and disposal of
Personal Property, the following terms have the meanings set forth herein. Any term not
defined herein shall have the definition set forth under the Oregon Public Contracting Code
or the Commission Rules. In resolving conflicts resulting from discrepancies between the
Oregon Public Contracting Code or the Commission Rules, the Commission Rules shall
take precedence over the Oregon Public Contracting Code.
(1) Personal Property. “Personal Property” means property other than Real Property.
It may be tangible if it has a physical existence, or intangible, if it does not have a
physical existence.
(2) Real Property. “Real Property” is land and anything permanently affixed to the
land, such as buildings, fences, and those things attached to the buildings that, if
removed, would deface the structure or integrity of the building, such as plumbing,
heating fixtures, etc.
(d) Approval. Except as provided in Section (e)(1), aAny disposition of Personal Property,
that, individually or for property of like character or not easily divisible, has a value of
$1,000 or more, must be approved in advance by the MWMC Executive Officer, or his or
hertheir designee.
(e) Methods. The individual or department seeking to dispose, transfer, or sell Personal
Property must make the following written findings: (a) the method of disposal complies
with the requirements of the Oregon Public Contracting Codethis MWMC Procurement
Rule; and (b) the method of disposal is in the best interest of the Commission. Factors to
consider in determining the method of disposal include, but are not limited to: (a) costs of
sale, (b) administrative costs, (c) processing fees, (d) disposal fees, and (e) public benefits
to the Commission.
The following methods may be used to dispose, transfer, or sell Personal Property:
(1) Transfer to Other Government Entities. The Commission may sell or transfer
Personal Property to another government entity, unless specifically prohibited by a
particular State grant which funded the procurement of that property, and providing
Attachment 1
Commission Rule 137-047-0285 Redline Version
Page 1 of 2
the property is used for public purpose or benefit and not for resale to a private
purchaser. For any such transfer, the parties must enter into a written agreement to
effect agree, in writing, on such transfer. Regardless of value, tThe transfer must
be approved in advance by the MWMC Executive Officer, or his or her
authorizedtheir designee and is subject to the delegated authority threshold
established by the Commission.
(2) Sale. The Commission may sell Personal Property by auction, bids, liquidation
sale, fixed price sale, trade-in, or other competitive process. Proceeds from the sale
must be used for public purpose or benefit.
(3) Disposal as Waste or Other Means. The Commission may dispose of Personal
Property whichthat, individually, or for property of like character or not easily
divisible, has a value of less than $500, or for which the costs of sale are likely to
exceed sale proceeds. Such property may be disposed of by recycling, donation, or
designation as waste. Individuals or departments making such a disposal shall
make a record of the estimated value of the item and the manner of disposal.
Disposal of Personal Property to employees of the City of Eugene, the City of
Springfield, and Lane County under this subsection is strictly prohibited.
Sales or transfer of Personal Property may be conducted electronically.
(f) No Warranty. All Personal Property sold or transferred pursuant to this section shall be
sold as-is without any warranty, either expressed or implied, or any kind unless otherwise
agreed in writing by the Executive Officer or their designee.
Attachment 1
Commission Rule 137-047-0285 Redline Version
Page 2 of 2
Commission Rule 137-047-0285R
(6) Sale, Transfer, and Disposal of Personal Property.
(a) Authorization. The Commission grants approval of a special procurement for the sale,
transfer, and disposal of Personal Property, as described in this Rule.
(b) Application. This rule constitutes the Commission’s procedures for the sale, transfer, and
disposal of Personal Property. This rule and these procedures do not apply to the
disposition of Real Property. Pursuant to ORS 279A.065(6), the Commission has
prescribed that the Commission will use these rules of procedure for the sale, transfer, and
disposal of Personal Property.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of these procedures regarding the sale, transfer and disposal of
Personal Property, the following terms have the meanings set forth herein. Any term not
defined herein shall have the definition set forth under the Oregon Public Contracting Code
or the Commission Rules. In resolving conflicts resulting from discrepancies between the
Oregon Public Contracting Code or the Commission Rules, the Commission Rules shall
take precedence over the Oregon Public Contracting Code.
(1) Personal Property. “Personal Property” means property other than Real Property.
It may be tangible if it has a physical existence, or intangible, if it does not have a
physical existence.
(2) Real Property. “Real Property” is land and anything permanently affixed to the
land, such as buildings, fences, and those things attached to the buildings that, if
removed, would deface the structure or integrity of the building, such as plumbing,
heating fixtures, etc.
(d) Approval. Except as provided in Section (e)(1), any disposition of Personal Property that,
individually or for property of like character, has a value of $1,000 or more must be
approved in advance by the MWMC Executive Officer, or their designee.
(e) Methods. The individual or department seeking to dispose, transfer, or sell Personal
Property must make the following written findings: (a) the method of disposal complies
with the requirements of this MWMC Procurement Rule; and (b) the method of disposal is
in the best interest of the Commission. Factors to consider in determining the method of
disposal include, but are not limited to: (a) costs of sale, (b) administrative costs, (c)
processing fees, (d) disposal fees, and (e) public benefits to the Commission.
The following methods may be used to dispose, transfer, or sell Personal Property:
(1) Transfer to Other Government Entities. The Commission may sell or transfer
Personal Property to another government entity, unless specifically prohibited by a
particular State grant which funded the procurement of that property, and providing
the property is used for public purpose or benefit and not for resale to a private
purchaser. For any such transfer, the parties must agree, in writing, on such
Attachment 2
Commission Rule 137-047-0285 Clean Copy
Page 1 of 2
transfer. Regardless of value, the transfer must be approved in advance by the
MWMC Executive Officer, or their designee and is subject to the delegated
authority threshold established by the Commission.
(2) Sale. The Commission may sell Personal Property by auction, bids, liquidation
sale, fixed price sale, trade-in, or other competitive process. Proceeds from the sale
must be used for public purpose or benefit.
(3) Disposal as Waste or Other Means. The Commission may dispose of Personal
Property that, individually or for property of like character, has a value of less than
$500, or for which the costs of sale are likely to exceed sale proceeds. Such
property may be disposed of by recycling, donation, or designation as waste.
Individuals or departments making such a disposal shall make a record of the
estimated value of the item and the manner of disposal. Disposal of Personal
Property to employees of the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Lane
County under this subsection is strictly prohibited.
Sales or transfer of Personal Property may be conducted electronically.
(f) No Warranty. All Personal Property sold or transferred pursuant to this section shall be
sold as-is without any warranty, either expressed or implied, or any kind unless otherwise
agreed in writing by the Executive Officer or their designee.
Attachment 2
Commission Rule 137-047-0285 Clean Copy
Page 2 of 2
______________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA IV.
Attachment 1
Resolution 23-13
Page 1 of 3
Attachment 1
Resolution 23-13
Page 2 of 3
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
Attachment 1
Resolution 23-13
Page 3 of 3
Attachment 2
Attachment 2
______________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA V.
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 14, 2023
TO: Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)
FROM: James McClendon, WW Finance and Administrative Manager
SUBJECT: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for FY 2022-2023
ACTION
REQUESTED: Informational
_____________________________________________________________________
ISSUE
In October 2023, staff completed a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions inventory on MWMC
Facilities for FY 2022-2023 (FY23), and the report is attached (Attachment 1). The inventory
includes data gathering and analysis of the emissions from activity at MWMC owned facilities
and pump stations, and Attachment 1 explains the key findings from the FY23 accounting of the
emissions inventory.
BACKGROUND
Staff conduct GHG emissions inventories every other year (biennially) and report on the findings
to the Commission in the intervening years. The last GHG emissions report was for FY20 and
presented to the Commission in September 2021. Since that time, the Renewable Natural Gas
(RNG) facility was brought into service in November 2021, and staff determined that the next
GHG emissions report should cover FY23 so that the inventory would include the first full year
of RNG operation. Fiscal years are used for GHG emissions accounting, as that timeframe
aligns with the City of Eugene’s data from the financial reporting year, which is key to the
accounting for supply-chain, utilities, and other emissions calculated from actual expenses.
One new addition in the FY23 GHG emissions report is inclusion of the RNG facility and
accounting for the community benefit from consuming conditioned biogas (byproduct of
anaerobic digestion) which is injected into NW Natural Gas’s pipeline connection at the
treatment plant and marketed as renewable natural gas.
Another significant change for FY23 is the GHG emissions accounting for supply chain and
related emissions, specifically pertaining to an update of the Global Warming Potential (GWP)
AGENDA VI.
Memo: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for FY 2022-2023
November 14, 2023
Page 2 of 3
-Communication Packet-
and emissions factors. The GWP values and emissions factors are provided by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific body of the United Nations,
and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), respectively. Updating the GWP
values and emissions factors is key to accurate GHG accounting for supply chain and upstream
energy production (Scope 3), which is currently the second largest source of emissions at
MWMC facilities.
DISCUSSION
In general, the purpose of conducting the biennial GHG inventory and producing the report is to
assist the MWMC with:
Sustaining the commitment to “achieve and maintain high environmental standards” (Key
Outcome #1 in the MWMC budget document)
Referencing to a vetted study on GHG emissions from which to assess operational and
environmental performance
Inviting discussion on incorporating GHG emissions reduction strategies into future project
planning
Continuing to identify opportunities to reduce GHG emissions
The GHG Emissions Inventory Report on MWMC facilities in FY23 provides the following:
Comparisons of current emissions to the emissions reported in previous inventory years
The offset of GHG emissions (benefits) from displaced conventional natural gas for the
community, displaced conventional natural gas for process heating (i.e., the boiler and
engine generator), carbon sequestration by poplar trees, and smaller benefits from other
MWMC activities
Recent and upcoming community involvement in GHG emissions reduction action items
An appendix including detailed explanations on the data gathering and methodology used in
the GHG inventory report
The grand total FY23 GHG emissions from anthropogenic activity at MWMC facilities was 9,518
MT CO2e which is approximately 11% lower than the FY20 emissions (10,676 MT CO2e). Listed
below is a brief summary of the results from the FY23 inventory:
The largest overall source of GHG emissions in FY23 was from the wastewater treatment
and biosolids management processes (direct emissions, or Scope 1). Total Scope 1
emissions increased from the prior reporting year by 6%, which was mostly due to the
increased demand for conventional natural gas and electricity since the RNG facility was
brought into service.
In addition, the sludge lagoons at the Biosolids Management Facility (biosolids lagoons) are
the largest source of methane emissions at MWMC facilities, which is the other significant
contributor to Scope 1 direct emissions. Methane and nitrous oxide are two of the most
potent greenhouse gases. For FY 2022-2023, while the total volume of digested solids
pumped from the treatment plant to the BMF was consistent with that of prior years (~5,407
Memo: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for FY 2022-2023
November 14, 2023
Page 3 of 3
-Communication Packet-
dry metric tons), the volume of solids in the lagoons has accumulated and been retained
longer (approx. 3 years), which will off-gas more methane. Similarly, the processed biosolids
that are land applied will off-gas nitrous oxide.
The greatest benefit from MWMC activity regarding GHG emissions reduction was at the
Biocycle Farm, as growth in the biomass of poplar trees sequestered -4,946 MT CO2e. The
second greatest reduction activity was from the RNG facility and the assumed community
benefit of purchasing renewable natural gas marketed by NW Natural. The assumed benefit
is the displacement of conventional natural gas that would have been used by consumers,
amounting to -3,225 MT CO2e in FY23, which is roughly equivalent to taking 724 gasoline-
powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.
The next GHG emissions inventory for MWMC facilities is scheduled to be completed in
summer-fall 2025 and will be conducted for the FY25 timeframe once the data become
available.
ACTION REQUESTED
None.
ATTACHMENT
1) Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for FY 2022-2023
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for FY 2022-2023
October 2023
Attachment 1
Page 1 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 1
Introduction
This report presents the results of an inventory conducted to quantify the Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions for FY 2022-2023 from the regional wastewater treatment plant, Biosolids Management
Facility (BMF), and regional pump stations serving the Eugene-Springfield Metro Area in Lane County,
Oregon — facilities that are operated and managed through partnership in the MWMC. The inventory
also includes emissions data for wastewater pump stations that are owned independently by the cities
of Eugene and Springfield.
The data gathering and analytical framework
applied by staff to produce this report
quantifies the GHG emissions resulting from
MWMC activities in FY 2022-2023 that
contribute to increasing global CO2 levels. The
framework also quantifies the MWMC
activities that are beneficial to our
environment—those which reduce, sequester,
or offset GHG emissions.
Page 4 of the report outlines MWMC’s
contribution of information towards
community action planning for local and
regional GHG emissions reduction. The
Appendix to the report describes the GHG
methodology, illustrates the GHG emissions
totals, and provides more detailed support to
explain the FY 2022-2023 results. Not
included in the report is an evaluation of
MWMC’s progress toward GHG emissions
reduction as goals and targets have yet to be
established. Significant Changes in the FY 2022-2023 Report
The initial GHG emissions report for MWMC facilities was prepared and presented to commissioners in
2012, which included data gathered for calendar year 2010. Since that time, GHG emissions
inventories have been prepared in every other fiscal year (biennially) and presented to the commission
in the intervening years. Prior to this report, the previous GHG emissions inventory reported on data
from FY 2019-2020 and was presented to commissioners in September 2021. Due to significant
changes in the operational footprint since then, primarily caused by inclusion of the Renewable
Natural Gas (RNG) facility at the treatment plant in November 2021, staff determined that the next
GHG emissions report should be postponed to report on data from the fiscal year 2022-2023
timeframe, thereby allowing for a dataset of activity with the RNG facility in service for an entire year.
Now included in this report is also an accounting of the biogas produced at the treatment plant,
marketed through NW Natural, to show the environmental benefit of commodifying the biologically
produced methane from the anaerobic digesters (i.e., renewable natural gas).
Recorded Change in Global CO2 Levels
Global CO2 Measurement: 420ppm (August 2023)
Data Source: NOAA reconstruction from ice cores and
modern instrumental data
Retrieved From: National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) on October 5, 2023, at
https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/carbon-dioxide/
Attachment 1
Page 2 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 2
Another significant change in the FY 2022-2023 inventory includes reporting on supply-chain
emissions calculated from more current emissions factors available from the federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and updated global warming potential values (GWP) from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific body of the United Nations. Prior to
this report, the emissions factors and GWPs for supply chain were 7-20 years old and now obsolete, so
the tools used to calculate the emissions from supply-chain activity have been updated accordingly.
GHG EMISSIONS SUMMARY
A summary of the GHG emissions from operational activity in FY 2022-2023 is illustrated in Figure 1
below. The benefits from activity during the same timeframe are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 1 – GHG Emissions1
FY 2022-2023 total emissions were
9,518 MT CO2e, which is on trend with
prior reporting years. Compared to
inventory results from FY 2019-2020,
emissions from capital projects were
78% lower, while operating-related
emissions were 2% higher than the
prior reporting period. The higher
emissions were due to increases in the
consumption of purchased natural gas
and electricity (operating activities)
resulting from the inclusion of the RNG
facility in November 2021. Figure 2 – Community Benefit of RNG
By applying the emissions factor for
compressed natural gas (CNG), the
closest comparable emissions factor for
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), the
assumed benefit from the community
purchasing RNG marketed by NW
Natural was -3,255 MT CO2e.
Referring then to the federal EPA
equivalencies calculator, -3,255 MT
CO2e is roughly equal to taking 724
gasoline-powered passenger vehicles
off the road for one year.
1 Emissions data and methodology detail provided in the Appendix.
Attachment 1
Page 3 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 3
Figure 3 – Environmental Benefits at Biocycle Farm
In addition to the RNG, other benefits
from MWMC activities as either CO2
displacement or sequestration were a
total of -6,554 MT CO2e in FY 2022-2023,
which is less than in FY 2019-2020. The
Biocycle Farm lost poplar-tree biomass
due to harvesting of Management Unit 3
(MU3) and there are fewer trees on MU1
and MU2, even though those trees are
nearing maturity. Nonetheless, for FY
2022-2023, the poplar trees sequestered
-4,946 MT CO2e at Biocycle Farm.
CLIMATE BENEFITS FROM MWMC ACTIVITIES
While wastewater treatment activities generally contribute to GHG emissions, some activities have
reduced GHG emissions. The beneficial activities at MWMC facilities with the greatest effect were from
the processing and commodification of RNG, emissions displacement (e.g., less need for conventional
fertilizer at Biocycle Farm, displaced need for conventional natural gas), and carbon sequestration (e.g.,
CO2 captured by the soil and poplar trees at the Biocycle Farm).
The GHG inventory accounting methodology (protocol) used to calculate the emissions from MWMC
facilities does not subtract the displaced and sequestered emissions from the total amount of MT
CO2e that was released through operational activities in FY 2022-2023.
The following benefits of MWMC operational activities are explained for reference only.
Displaced GHG Emissions
Displaced Community Consumption of Conventional Natural Gas ( -3,255 MT CO2e)
Total GHG emissions from operating activity in FY2022-2023 were 9,518 MT CO2e and it’s
important to note that the higher operating emissions compared to all prior inventory reporting
years also included activity that resulted in the production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), which
in turn provided a downstream community benefit while providing a financial benefit to MWMC.
However, as pertaining to GHG emissions accounting protocol, since the RNG is commodified and
sold through NW Natural, the community RNG benefit cannot be applied to offset the emissions
accounting for MWMC activity in FY 2022-2023. In short, the community benefit of RNG does not
subtract from the GHG emissions accounting because MWMC is selling the biogas to NW Natural
and also earning revenue from the sale of RIN credits (Renewable Identification Numbers).
Displaced Conventional Natural Gas for Process Heating from Boiler ( -707 MT CO2e)
During times when the RNG facility is taken out of service and undergoing maintenance, the
plant’s boiler for heating the anaerobic digesters will be switched over to run on biogas. The boiler
is engineered to be fueled with either conventional natural gas or digester biogas to reduce the
need for flaring at the waste-gas burner. Therefore, during those short periods of time, the biogas
used for the boiler is displacing the need for purchased natural gas. For most of the year, however,
the boiler is being fueled with conventional natural gas, as the goal is for maximum uptime from
the RNG facility and revenue from selling the renewable natural gas.
Attachment 1
Page 4 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 4
Displaced Conventional Natural Gas for Supplementary Process Heating ( -149 MT CO2e)
The plant’s 800KW engine generator (EG) is also sometimes brought into service when the RNG
facility is offline, which thereby displaces the use of conventional natural gas with biogas from the
anaerobic digesters. At those times, the EG is fueled with digester biogas and used to supplement
the boiler to provide optimal digester heating.
Another passive benefit of running the EG is the generation of some electricity, thereby displacing
some of the need for purchased electricity from EWEB. For the FY 2022-2023 reporting period, by
aggregating those short periods of run time, the EG produced roughly 557,724 kilowatt hours
(kWh) of electricity, which reduced the EWEB bill by approximately $42,951 for the year.
Displaced Conventional Fertilizer ( -121 MT CO2e)
At the Biocycle Farm, the substitution of biosolids for conventional fertilizer as a soil amendment
displaces the emissions that would have otherwise been created in the production of conventional
fertilizers.
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon Sequestration by the Soil ( -631 MT CO2e)
When biosolids are applied to soil, a proportion of the organic carbon remains trapped and
therefore increases the health and sequestration potential of the existing soil.
Carbon Sequestration by Biocycle Poplar Trees ( -4,946 MT CO2e)
The Biocycle farm has been in operation since 2004 when Management Unit #1 (MU1) was planted
with 35,000 trees. Two subsequent units were planted for a total of 88,000 trees as of 2008.
Comparing the three management units, MU3 is the largest in area and contains more trees than
either MU1 or MU2.
During the FY 2022-2023 timeframe, MU3 was devoid of trees, as the unit was harvested in
summer 2022 and not replanted until late spring 2023. In comparison to MU3, the other
management units are smaller in area and contain fewer trees, and a large portion of the trees on
MU2 were ruined by the 2017 ice storm, further reducing biomass.
Accounting for all biomass on the farm in FY 2022-2023, the total sequestration by the growth of
poplar trees was -4,946 MT CO2e. Projecting out to the next reporting timeframe (i.e., the FY 2024-
2025 report), it is likely that the total MT CO2e sequestration from growth of biomass at the
Biocycle Farm will be less than presently, assuming that the trees on MU1 and MU2 will be
harvested in that timeframe. Furthermore, the recently replanted MU3 will begin to sequester
more CO2 once the replanting grows into a larger biomass of trees, but it will take a longer period
of time to see gains in carbon sequestration by the recently replanted trees, as larger trees
sequester more carbon dioxide.
Attachment 1
Page 5 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 5
RECENT AND UPCOMING GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION ACTION ITEMS
The following GHG emissions reduction related activities are currently underway or being discussed
for future action.
MWMC is currently contributing innovative and significant climate action projects on a regional scale
that align with the goals and intent of the City of Eugene Community Climate Action Plan (CAP 2.0).
Further implementation of the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Program. The goal is for the
RNG facility to condition 100% of the biogas generated at the wastewater treatment plant for
transmission and distribution by NWNatural and reduce the need for flaring. Current RNG
facility uptime is roughly 50% per year with a goal of 90% uptime, which could take another
1-2 years to achieve.
Current operational activity in support of GHG reduction:
Ongoing adherence to the ISO 14001 standard for Environmental Management System (EMS)
compliance. The longstanding goal of the EMS program is to reduce energy use, reduce the
volume of solid waste, and rely less on non-renewable vehicle fuels, and the objectives met in
FY 2022-2023 toward the goal included the implementation of a new Laboratory Information
Management System (LIMS software), which has significantly reduced paper waste and
enabled more granular control of staff time needed for preparing documentation specific to
permit requirements. In addition, the City of Eugene Public Works Fleet division has adopted
R99 renewable diesel for all road licensed diesel-fueled vehicles.
Community Partners: Lane County and City of Eugene
MWMC’s community partners have publicly stated their intent to reduce GHG emissions within their
respective organizations and issued the following directives:
Incorporate energy efficient technologies and green building design into new capital
construction and refurbishment of buildings (e.g., energy efficient HVAC systems, repurposed
road paving materials, etc.).
Purchasing from local service and material providers when possible.
Reduce vehicle miles traveled by promoting teleconferencing (e.g., webinars, conference calls,
online seminars) or utilize bus, bike, or other low-carbon transportation options.
Expand urban tree canopy cover through new and replacement tree planting.
Replace gasoline and diesel fleet vehicles with electric, hybrid-electric, and/or renewable
natural gas (RNG) fleet vehicles.
City of Eugene’s Climate Recovery Ordinance (CRO), which implemented climate neutral
operations in 2020 through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
Lane County’s Climate Action Plan for Operations, including specific emissions reduction
targets through purchase of RECs and other purchased carbon offsets, and a goal to reduce
overall GHG emissions by 72% by 2040.
City of Springfield’s comprehensive planning to implement the Climate Friendly and Equitable
Communities (CFEC) administrative rules for land use, transportation, and community
development.
Attachment 1
Page 6 of 13
FY 2022-2023 GHG Emissions Report | Page 6
CONTACT INFORMATION & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
City of Eugene staff James McClendon, Ivan Campbell, and Yashara Lund conducted the FY 2022-2023
inventory of MWMC’s greenhouse gas emissions. Support on the preparation of the emissions
inventory was provided by Sharon Olson (WW Technical Analyst, retd.) and Claudia Denton at
Parametrix (dba Good Company), a leading provider of professional consultation and services for
sustainability planning in the public and private sectors.
For more information, call or email:
James McClendon, 541-682-8608 JMcclendon@eugene-or.gov
Ivan Campbell, 541-682-8618 ICampbell@eugene-or.gov
Yashara Lund, 541-682-8607 YLund@eugene-or.gov
Attachment 1
Page 7 of 13
Appendix | Page 1
Appendix
GREENHOUSE GAS ACCOUNTING: EMISSIONS SCOPES
The main sources of emissions from MWMC facilities include wastewater treatment process emissions,
conventional natural gas usage, electricity usage, and supply chain purchases.
GHG emissions are categorized into three Scopes according to the protocol, defined as follows:
Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions which originate from equipment and facilities owned and
operated by MWMC, primarily from fossil fuel combustion and wastewater treatment processes.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased electricity.
Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that result from the activities at the MWMC
Facilities, but where the direct sources are controlled by other entities or service providers, such as
construction of capital projects, production and transport of supply-chain related purchases, solid
waste disposal, employee commute and business travel, and energy production, transmission and
distribution losses (T&D).
GREENHOUSE GAS ACCOUNTING: METHODOLOGY
The inventory used for this FY 2022-2023 GHG report follows the Local Government Operations
Protocol (LGOP), which was developed jointly by The Climate Registry and affiliated organizations.2
The LGOP protocol only requires the reporting of emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 as defined by the World
Resources Institute. Therefore, this inventory has been expanded to include several additional Scope 1
process emission sources specific to biosolids management as well as shared emission categories from
Scope 3. The use of these tools to measure additional emissions sources has enabled a more accurate
inventory of GHG emissions from MWMC facilities.
The protocols and methods used to account for the additional Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions sources
are documented in Good Company’s Carbon Calculator (G3C) and the G3C-Wastewater module, which
are used to calculate emissions specifically for this inventory. The additional Scope 1 emissions
sources were estimated using either the LGOP (for emissions associated with denitrification and
discharge of effluent) or the Canadian Ministers of the Environment’s Biosolids Emissions Assessment
Model (BEAM) for emissions associated with biosolids storage, drying and land application.
Displaced emissions from conventional natural gas are calculated to be the same as an equal quantity
of natural gas purchased from NW Natural. BEAM was used to estimate benefits associated with
displaced conventional fertilizer and soil carbon sequestration from land application of biosolids.
Carbon sequestration by poplar trees at the Biocycle Farm was calculated using the methodology
specified by the Climate Action Reserve’s Urban Forest Protocol.3
2 The Local Government Operations (LGO) Protocol was developed in collaboration among The Climate Registry (TCR), the
California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR, now the Climate Action Reserve), and
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. The LGO Protocol follows the same format as The Climate Registry’s General
Reporting Protocol (GRP).
3 Climate Action Reserve (CAR) Urban Forest Protocol can be found at
http://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/protocols/urban-forest/
Attachment 1
Page 8 of 13
Appendix | Page 2
GREENHOUSE GAS ACCOUNTING: SUMMARY OF INVENTORY DETAILS
Scope 1 emissions include process related emissions from wastewater treatment and biosolids
processing, which increased in FY 2022-2023 in comparison to the previous reporting years,
amounting to 5,123 MT CO2e or an increase of 6% as shown in Figure 1.
Scope 2 emissions are the result of consuming electricity and are the lowest emissions of the three
scopes for FY 2022-2023 and in all reporting years. Scope 2 emissions were 677 MT CO2e, a decrease
of 14% from FY 2019-2020. Emissions from electricity are calculated according to the Market Based
emissions factor for Scope 2 electricity (i.e., local utilities in Oregon only) instead of the Location Based
emissions factor (i.e., an average for the Northwest Power Pool region).
Figure 1 - MWMC Facilities Emissions by Scope
Scope 3 emissions result from the
purchase of goods and services
for operational activity, capital
projects, travel, solid waste
disposal, and upstream energy
production. Scope 3 emissions
were 3,718 MT CO2e for FY 2022-
2023, a decrease of 27% from FY
2019-2020. The volume of supply
chain emissions in FY 2022-2023
was similar to the same-type
emissions from 2010-2016,
before a period of intensive capital construction occurring from 2017-2020 (e.g., maintenance building
expansion, digester #4 construction, ESB/Laboratory building construction, and RNG facility
construction).
For the FY 2022-2023 timeframe, after applying more current GWP values and EPA emissions factors
for the supply chain sub-category, Scope 3 is now the second largest source of emissions at MWMC
facilities after Scope 1. Wastewater treatment and the biosolids process are currently the greatest
source of GHG emissions (Scope 1).
Figure 2 - Overview of the MWMC Facilities’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions
* Other sub-category represents emissions from refrigerants, natural gas, and non-fleet fuels.
Attachment 1
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Appendix | Page 3
Scope 1 – Direct Emissions Details
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Process Emissions
GHG inventory protocol for the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions distinguishes human-caused
emissions (anthropogenic) from the greenhouse gases stemming from natural processes (biogenic).
Anthropogenic GHG emissions are those emissions associated with human activities dependent
largely on the combustion of fossil fuels such as the burning of oil, coal and gas and process
emissions from industrial activities resulting in the methane and nitrous oxide released from the
treatment of wastewater.
Biogenic emissions are part of the natural biogeochemical cycling of carbon. Biogenic emissions are
carbon dioxide released from the combustion of non-fossilized, biologically based materials such as
biogas and biofuels (e.g., biodiesel) and natural processes such as the decomposition of organic
materials.
For FY 2022-2023, wastewater treatment and biosolids process emissions accounted for nearly half
(49%) of anthropogenic Scope 1 emissions at 3,436 MT CO2e, comprised of roughly 41% methane and
59% nitrous oxide. As shown in Figure 3, land-applied biosolids is the largest source of anthropogenic
nitrous oxide, whereas the biosolids lagoon process is the largest source of methane release4.
Figure 3 - MWMC Facilities Anthropogenic Emissions for FY 2022-23
The sludge lagoons at the Biosolids Management Facility (biosolids lagoons) are the largest source of
methane emissions at MWMC facilities. For FY 2022-2023, the total volume of digested solids pumped
from the treatment plant to the BMF was consistent with that of prior years (~5,407 dry metric tons),
and the lagoons will off-gas biogenic methane at differing rates from year to year due to a range of
conditions, primarily depending upon how long the solids in the lagoons have accumulated and been
retained (~3 years).
4 Wastewater lagoons in the US are significant contributors of methane emissions, contributing approximately 2,300,000
metric tons per year. See Harper, L.A. "Methane emissions from an anaerobic swine lagoon." Journal of Atmospheric
Environment. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
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Appendix | Page 4
Scope 2 – Indirect Emissions Details, Electricity
Electricity Emissions
Scope 2 emissions resulting from the consumption of electricity decreased by 14% between the FY
2019-2020 inventory and the FY 2022-2023 inventory period. The Market Based emissions factor has
been applied to all inventories from 2010 to 2023 for the comparisons between reporting years.
The market-based emissions factor for this report is specifically for Eugene Water and Electric Board
(EWEB) and Springfield Utility Board (SUB), which distributes electricity primarily from the Bonneville
Power Administration (BPA), whose electricity is mostly generated from low-carbon sources such as
hydropower and wind.
Electricity Use Emission Factors
Which emissions factor is used to calculate GHG emissions from electricity use is one significant
assumption in the accounting protocol. An emissions factor is a representation of the carbon intensity
per unit of electricity (e.g., MT CO2e per megawatt hour).
Both EWEB and SUB emissions factors decreased significantly from 2020 to 2023, as shown in Table 1.
Emissions factors change from year to year because they are largely influenced by the water year and
the amount of hydroelectricity available from Bonneville Power Administration and utility-owned
generation resources. During the FY 2022-2023 reporting year, even though the treatment plant
consumed more electricity than in the prior reporting year, because the emissions factors for EWEB
and SUB were lower, the GHG emissions from purchased electricity were lower than in FY 2019-2020.
Table 1 – Market Based Emissions Factors for EWEB and SUB
EWEB
MT CO2e / MWh
SUB
MT CO2e / MWh
MWMC Facilities
Total Consumption in MWh
CY 2014 0.014 0.017 18,407
FY 2015-2016 0.010 0.012 17,122
FY 2017-2018 0.015 0.012 16,384
FY 2019-2020 0.055 0.020 15,557
FY 2022-2023 0.030 0.010 17,840
While there was a notable increase in electricity usage at MWMC facilities evident in FY 2022-2023,
primarily due to the inclusion of the RNG facility at the treatment plant, the end result is that total
GHG emissions from electricity usage (Scope 2) shows a year-over-year (YoY) decrease because the
market-based emissions factor for EWEB and SUB was decreased for the same timeframe. As shown in
Figure 4, although GHG emissions decreased by 14% from the prior reporting period, the regional
treatment plant location continues to be the largest source of Scope 2 emissions among all MWMC
facilities.
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Appendix | Page 5
Figure 4 - Emissions from Electricity Consumption – Scope 2
Scope 3 – Indirect Emissions Details, Supply Chain
Scope 3 emissions are from the purchase of goods and services for operating activity, capital
construction, travel, solid waste disposal, and upstream energy production. Scope 3 emissions were
3,718 MT CO2e in FY 2022-2023, a decrease of 27% from FY 2019-2020. The decrease in emissions was
mainly due to completion of the RNG facility construction and an update to the EPA emissions factors
and GWP values for supply-chain and related activity.
The emissions sub-categories for Scope 3 are illustrated in Figure 5. These are the emissions resulting
from the production, delivery, and use of building materials, fuels and energy products, and all other
supplied goods and services. Scope 3 also includes emissions from business travel in non-MWMC
vehicles and the landfilling of solid waste, which for FY 2022-2023 showed a 25% decrease.
Figure 5 - Categories of Indirect Emissions – Scope 3
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Appendix | Page 6
The capital construction category includes all capital construction emissions during the reporting
period FY 2022-2023. Construction activities that utilize concrete, steel, and other building materials
produce a substantial GHG emissions footprint. Other emissions are produced mainly from purchases
related to maintenance of buildings, facilities, and equipment. Capital construction supply chain
declined 78% in FY 2022-2023 (YoY).
Upstream energy production includes emissions from MWMC’s supply chain purchases of energy
products. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions account for ‘tailpipe’ emissions from combusting fossil fuels.
Scope 3 emissions from upstream energy result from the extraction, transportation, refinement, and
distribution of energy products used in MWMC-owned equipment or used in the generation of
electricity consumed by MWMC facilities and equipment. For example, methane leakage during
natural gas extraction and transport falls under the category of upstream energy production within
Scope 3. Upstream energy emissions increased 70% in FY 2022-2023 (YoY) due to greater need for the
purchasing of conventional natural gas for process heating.
The operations supply chain category includes chemicals used in the treatment processes at MWMC
facilities. Chemicals, replacement parts, and components comprise a large proportion of the materials
and supplies emissions. Purchases of vehicles, heavy equipment, laboratory supplies, and professional
services are also accounted for in operations supply chain emissions. Operations supply-chain
emissions decreased 10% in FY 2022-2023 (YoY), largely due to updating of the GHG accounting
methodology.
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