How Green is Your Cannabis | part 2
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The Carbon Footprint of indoor cannabis cultivation
Washington and Colorado eGRID Comparison
Utility based energy emissions are classified by the energy mix within an eGrid region (see eGRID map at top). Each region has a different energy mix including renewables, hydro, coal, gas, nuclear and coal for utility-scale power generation.
Washington State electric utility generation is designated within the NWPP/WECC Northwest region, while Colorado electric utility generation is designated within RMPA/WECC Rockies region.
Viewing the chart above, what stands out clearly is that Washington State has a 52% reliance on Hydro-electric power generation, while Colorado has a 70% reliance on coal.
- The NWPP/WECC Northwest region includes most of Oregon, parts of the northernmost California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Western areas of Montana and Wyoming.
- The RMPA / WECC Rockies region extends north from Colorado to Eastern Wyoming and South to a small section of northernmost New Mexico.
State numbers can look skewed when viewed in regional terms. Washington State typically produces 65% to 70% of its energy from hydroelectric generation primarily on the Columbia and Snake rivers, yet as part of the NWPP, 52.2% is designated. A Seattle facility could lay claim to 89% hydro-electric, yet the proper designation is 52.2% per eGRID.
Farming in a Scope 2 World
When accounting for Greenhouse Gas emissions within an organization, three “Scopes” are used to designate the source of the emissions. This approach provides a delineation of sources of emissions that can later be examined per an organization’s physical or administrative boundaries.
- Scope 1 - Direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by an organization. Typically emissions from an organization's auto or truck fleet, though in-house generation and other combustible or fugitive emissions such as refrigerants are classified as Scope 1.
- Scope 2 - Indirect emissions from utility purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling.
- Scope 3 - Indirect emissions from operations outside the control of the organization. Business-related air and public travel measured in miles per the type of travel. Depending on the depth of the emissions accounting, impacts up and downstream within the supply chain.
Electricity used for indoor Cannabis cultivation is typically classified as “Scope 2”. However, not all Scope 2 electricity is alike. The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID), published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a globally recognized source of emissions data for the electric power generated in the United States. The United States uses the eGrid system to designate environmental characteristics of the generated electric power including types of emissions, emission rates, the net generation of electricity and the energy mix.