Alt-FEMPs Now Complete

Alt-FEMP participants to submit final invoices by August 31, 2025.

The objectives of the alt-FEMP delivery component were:

• Generate robust program-level equivalence assessments that compare alternative testing results to standard methods outlined in current regulatory requirements.
• Improve understanding of fugitive and vented methane emission sources in Alberta.
• Establish processes and documentation approaches to ensure consistent collection and evaluation of high-quality data.

Eligibility

• Alt-FEMP funding was made available to duty holders with facilities regulated under Directive 60
• AMEP strongly encouraged collaborative alt-FEMPs whereby multiple duty holders participate in a single alt-FEMP program. To facilitate collaborative alt-FEMPs, AMEP considered applications made on behalf of multiple duty holders by a third-party representative acting as an alt-FEMP Program Manager.
  • Third parties were required to provide qualifications for role of program manager.
• In some cases, facilities that operate in Alberta, have a provincial or federal requirement for leak detection and repair (LDAR) but do not fall under Directive 60, and are licensed to an organization paying into the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Fund were considered for inclusion in a collaborative alt-FEMP.

Program Funding

• Total program funding available for alt-FEMP delivery was $10M.
• AMEP funded up to 100% of eligible alt-FEMP costs for New or Extended alt-FEMPs.
• Alt-FEMP costs incurred from 2022 to 2024 were eligible for up to 100% funding provided the activities conducted and data collected prior to AMEP funding approval meet AMEP program requirements.
• Funding available for each alt-FEMP application was not capped; however, total funding value was determined on the basis of:
  • Initial uptake of the AMEP,
  • Application score including results of equivalency modelling,
  • Number of duty holders participating in the application,
  • Number and variety of facility types participating in the alt-FEMP.

Eligible Alt-FEMP Cost Elements

• AMEP funded the majority of elements associated with the development of an alt-FEMP Pilot or Program including the program management of collaborative programs. Alt-FEMP elements eligible for funding include:
  • Program Management including alt-FEMP application development, AER submission and approval and data management. Program management fees are capped at the lower of 10% of total eligible alt-FEMP costs or $50k.
  • Modelling to support the alt-FEMP application and AER submission and subsequent modelling required by the AER under the Pilot or Program.
  • Screening as a defined in the alt-FEMP work practice.
  • Surveys as defined in the alt-FEMP work practice.
  • Collection and submission of repair data.
  • Payment of program funds was milestone based.
  • Duty holders that had or self-performed the alt-FEMP elements noted above were encouraged to include the value of internal time writing/efforts in their application for AMEP funding consideration.
  • Costs associated with compliance-based reporting and data submissions (e.g., OneStop) were not eligible.

Program Duration

• Final AMEP payments shall occur no later than December 31, 2024.

Data Management

• Refer to the Data Sharing Framework.

Scoring Rubric

Alt-FEMP Readiness Level	Formative stages	Area defined with participants and facilities. Application not yet started	Hold all required elements for AER Directive 60 alt-FEMP proposal submission including equivalency modelling but not submitted to AER for approval	Alt-FEMP approved and wanting to continue existing program or retroactive funding	Alt-FEMP approved and additional companies already signed on to participate	5%
Note: Funding will not be issued until the alt-FEMP is approved by AER
Collaboration	Do not want to collaborate	Yes to Collaboration but parties or area(s) not yet identified	Yes to collaboration interested parties identified but no group formed	Yes to collaboration, participants preparing to sign on	Organized group in place and all are willing to collaborate.  Group has containers and equipment list in place	10%
Data Sharing	Not willing to share data but will provide elements of data to program	Willing to provide summary data by program element (screening, survey, repair) embargoed	Willing to share data with embargoes stricter than outlined by AMEP program	Willing to share data with embargoes outlined by AMEP program	Willing to share data with no embargo	20%
Emission Reduction Equivalency	Emission reduction equal or 10% below baseline	Emission reduction equal to baseline or up to 9% below baseline	Emission reduction modelled to be above baseline – performance not yet validated	Emission reduction above baseline program	Emission reduction above baseline program and  committed budget dollars to a voluntary vent reduction program	20%
Economic Equivalency	Within +25% of baseline	Within +15% of baseline	Within +5% of baseline	Equivalent	Below baseline	10%
Technology Variance	Single technology no change to method	Single technology updated method	Multiple technologies or updated method	Existing technology MDL lowered and limitations reduced	New Technology or method; combination of technologies providing research answers	10%
Technology Rating (Screening)	< TRL 7	TRL is 8	TRL is 8 and field trials are needed	TRL is 9 but still needs CRT testing	TRL is 9 and full rounds of CRT are completed with results available.	7%
Technology Rating (Survey)	< TRL 7	TRL is 8	TRL is 8 and field trials needed	TRL is 9 but still needs CRT testing	TRL is 9 and full rounds of CRT are completed with results available.	3%
Technology Home Base	Outside of North America	North America with no Canadian office	North America with office in Canada	Canada	Alberta with offices in the province	5%
Alt-FEMP Startup	>Q2 2023	Q2 2023	Q1 2023	Prior to December, 2022	Prior to July, 2022	7%
Facility Frequency (3 x & 1 x)	3 x per year only				Both 1x and 3x per year survey facilities included within Alt-FEMP area	3%