March 2004 • NREL/SR-550-35623 

U.S. LCI Database Project 

1st Quarterly Report and Development 

Plan Update, December 2002 

AthenaTM Sustainable Materials Institute 

Merrickville, Ontario, Canada 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

1617 Cole Boulevard 

Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 

NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory

Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle 

Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 
March 2004 • NREL/SR-550-35623 

U.S. LCI Database Project 

1st Quarterly Report and Development 

Plan Update, December 2002 

AthenaTM Sustainable Materials Institute 

Merrickville, Ontario, Canada 

NREL Technical Monitor: M. Deru 

Prepared under Subcontract No. LDC-3-32452-01 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

1617 Cole Boulevard 

Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 

NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory

Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle 

Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 
NOTICE

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States 

government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, 

makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, 

completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents 

that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial 

product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily 

constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any 

agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect 

those of the United States government or any agency thereof. 

Available electronically at http://www.osti.gov/bridge 

Available for a processing fee to U.S. Department of Energy 

and its contractors, in paper, from: 

U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Scientific and Technical Information 

P.O. Box 62 

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0062 

phone: 865.576.8401 

fax: 865.576.5728 

email: reports@adonis.osti.gov 

Available for sale to the public, in paper, from: 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Technical Information Service 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

phone: 800.553.6847 

fax: 703.605.6900 

email: orders@ntis.fedworld.gov 

online ordering: http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm 

Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste 
Acknowledgments 

This work was completed in close cooperation with Franklin Associates, Ltd. and Sylvatica 

Corporation. We would like to acknowledge the funding provided by the U.S. Department of 

Energy, the General Services Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the 

Naval Facilities Engineering Command, which made this project possible. We also want to 

thank Paul Torcellini and Michael Deru of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for their 

support throughout the project. 

iii 
Table of Contents 

1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................1 

2 Summary of Progress to December 30, 2002 ...................................................................2 

2.1 Task 1: Development plan, reporting, and project management...................................2 

2.2 Task 2: Database format..............................................................................................3 

2.3 Task 3: Additions to Data Development Guidelines/report on review of guidelines &

database ...................................................................................................................................3 

2.4 Task 4: Data collection..................................................................................................3 

3 Work Program Elements and Schedule ............................................................................5 

3.1 Task 1............................................................................................................................5 

3.2 Task 2............................................................................................................................5 

3.3 Task 3............................................................................................................................7 

3.3.1 Input-screening tool...............................................................................................7 

3.3.2 Elementary flow reporting guidelines.....................................................................7 

3.3.3 Economic allocation annex....................................................................................8 

3.3.4 Extensive testing and revision of Data Development Guidelines .........................8 

3.4 Task 4............................................................................................................................9 

3.4.1 Fuels, Energy, Transport.......................................................................................9 

3.4.2 Other Materials....................................................................................................10 

3.4.3 Transformation Processes ..................................................................................10 

3.4.4 End-of-Life...........................................................................................................10 

3.4.5 Database User’s Guide .......................................................................................11 

iv 
U.S. LCI Database Project 

1st Quarterly Report and Development 

Plan Update: December 2002 

1 Introduction 

This development plan represents the first scheduled Phase II deliverable for the U.S. LCI 

Database Project. 

The original intent was to supplement the preliminary Work Program for Phase II 

recommendations from the U.S. LCI Database Project Phase I Final Report with a more detailed 

Phase II implementation plan, including data to be collected, sources, identification of 

subcontractors, timelines, and cash flow projections. This document generally meets these 

objectives, but stops short of identifying specific data sources and subcontractors beyond the 

core project team (i.e., the Athena Institute, Franklin Associates and Sylvatica). As discussed 

later in the document, the data development focus over the next several months will be on the 

high priority fuels, energy, and transport databases; on the conversion of existing Athena 

Institute data for specific materials; and on the acquisition of recently developed data such as that 

available from the CORRIM project, or Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial 

Materials project. The potential sources and related subcontractors for other data will have to be 

identified as the work progresses, and it would be premature to speculate on those aspects this 

early in the project. 

As discussed with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Technical Monitor, it is 

preferable for a project of this nature to visualize the development plan as a ‘work in progress,’ 

rather than as a rigidly defined program. The plan will therefore be adjusted and updated as 

required, with changes submitted as part of the quarterly reporting process. 

In the next section, we present a brief overview of progress since October 22, 2002, the official 

start date. The basic program elements are then identified and discussed in Section 3. 

1 
2 Summary of Progress to December 30, 2002 

2.1 Task 1: Development plan, reporting, and project management 

1. A project initiation and planning meeting involving the full consulting team was held to 

discuss outstanding issues from the Phase I research protocol (U.S. LCI Database Project 

Data Development Guidelines) and report, determine appropriate approaches in Phase II, and 

set corresponding team assignments (October 22-23, 2002). 

2. Procedures have been developed, discussed, and implemented for project management and 

control, including setting and approving work priorities, subcontractor invoicing, and 

monthly/quarterly reporting. 

3. Forty unit processes needed for a complete fuels and energy database were identified, and the 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. FAL fuels and energy database was then reviewed for 

completeness, currency, and usefulness for Phase II. The conclusions of this work were as 

follows: 

a. The database was developed with a valid methodology and is essentially ISO 

compliant; 

b. Several unit processes related to fuels production, combustion, and transportation 

should be updated and/or expanded to reflect new or changed technologies, to 

improve modeling accuracy using the greater level of detail now available in 

public data sources, and to provide necessary data quality documentation. 

4. A work plan was developed for updating unit-process data in each fuels and energy database 

category, with the priority on those data modules that require the least work and that can 

therefore contribute sooner to the public database. 

5. Data sources that will be needed to update and expand the FAL database have subsequently 

been identified and acquired. 

6. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) E-GRID, or Emissions and Generation 

Resource Integrated Database program for electricity generation was reviewed to evaluate its 

usefulness for Phase II. The main conclusions were as follows: 

a. The E-GRID program can be used to develop grid profiles for the US and selected 

NERC regions, including percentages of each generating fuel, as well as 

emissions of CO2, SO2, NOx and mercury. 

b. E-GRID spreadsheets can be used to develop profiles for generation by fuel type 

and boiler type, which can be linked to the fuel combustion data sets and the grid 

fuel percentages to develop data on emissions that are not included in E-GRID. 

7. Detailed discussions were initiated with the EPA’s National Risk Management Research 

Laboratory and its contractor to coordinate planned EPA work on LCI data for electricity and 

to ensure the most cost-effective combined approach. Detailed documentation was 

subsequently exchanged between the EPA contractor and the project team as a basis for 

further discussion. 

2 
2.2 Task 2: Database format 

1. Discussions have been held with European database developers to explore streamlined 

approaches to the ISO 14048 data format. 

2. Various life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools developers have been contacted to determine their 

preferred data import or exchange methods and formats. 

3. Discussions have been held with the NREL Web site developer to answer questions, discuss 

issues, and generally coordinate the site and format development tasks. 

2.3 Task 3: Additions to research protocol/report on review of protocol & 

database 

1. The research protocol sections dealing with allocation and recycling have been reviewed and 

rewritten to clarify the meaning and procedures. 

2. A first draft of the economic allocation annex to the protocol has been prepared for internal 

review. The annex deals with the application of economic allocation to multi-product unit 

processes and systems, including price base years and averaging, pricing points, and a 

method for imputing missing market price information. 

3. A preliminary draft of elementary flow reporting guidelines has been developed taking 

account of the recommended list of exchanges in the Code of Life Cycle Inventory Practices 

soon to be published by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). 

An approach has been defined to detail an appropriate screening method for future 

elementary flow reporting. 

4. An initial assessment has been made of existing screening tools for small or missing inputs to 

an LCI, and a corresponding approach to this task has been formulated and discussed 

internally. 

2.4 Task 4: Data collection 

1. Specific fuels and energy database work was undertaken, as follows: 

• Coal. Based on published data and interviews with industry contacts, separate data sets 

were developed for the production of anthracite, bituminous, and lignite coal, reflecting 

the differences in locations and mining techniques. Transportation estimates were 

developed based on the geographic locations of coal producers and users, interviews with 

coal industry contacts, and published data. New standards for water quality have been 

found and work is proceeding on updating data on acid drainage from mines. 

• Uranium. Domestic and foreign sources of uranium for electricity generation have been 

researched and the percentages of uranium extracted by conventional and solution mining 

determined for producing countries. Data sets have been developed for extraction and 

processing data and finalization of the module is awaiting enrichment data from the 

Energy Information Administration. Updated transportation data is based on locations of 

uranium producers, processors, and users. 

• Crude oil and natural gas extraction. Energy and transportation data obtained through 

new and updated publicly available data sources is being verified. No recent updates of 

AP-42 emissions data are available for these processes; additional data sources on air 

3 
emissions published by the Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory have 

been located and are being utilized. 

• Electricity generation. Development of generation profiles by fuel and boiler type has 

been started using the E-GRID spreadsheets. 

• Fuels combustion. The compatibility between levels of detail available in E-GRID and 

the most current AP-42 data on combustion emissions by fuel type, boiler type, and 

control system has been assessed. 

• Transportation. New data sources and models for combustion emissions for various 

transportation modes have been identified through an Internet search, including 

MOBILE6 (motor vehicle emissions software) from U.S. EPA Office of Transportation 

and Air Quality, and GREET 1.6 (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy 

use in Transportation) developed by Argonne National Laboratory under contract to the 

U.S. Department of Energy Office of Transportation Technologies. 

4 
3 Work Program Elements and Schedule 

Table 1 details the work program by task elements. The thicker bars indicate periods of 

relatively more intensive work on specific task elements, while the thinner bars indicate periods 

of less intensive or uncertain activity. The chart shows the program on a more detailed monthly 

basis for the next quarter, and on a quarterly basis for the remainder of the project term. The 

intent is to routinely update the chart as part of the quarterly progress reporting process, with a 

monthly breakdown for the coming quarter. 

The remainder of this section provides a more detailed description of key elements for the main 

tasks listed in Table 1. 

3.1 Task 1 

Not shown in Table 1 are the monthly progress reports and more detailed quarterly reports. The 

latter will include updates to the schedule as indicated above. Cash flow projections will also be 

updated quarterly. During the last quarter we expect to focus on the completion of 

documentation as part of the final project report, with the objective of supporting ongoing 

database maintenance and expansion. 

3.2 Task 2 

Task 2 is being undertaken in conjunction with NREL, with the project team focusing on the 

database format and NREL on the related Web site design. We anticipate that task will be 

essentially complete by the end of January, with ongoing testing and development through the 

second quarter of 2003. 

Based on the experience of European tool and database developers, the most practical 

streamlined version of the ISO 14048 format appears to be “EcoSPOLD”. EcoSPOLD was 

developed for the Swiss EcoInvent database project and is now going to be implemented by LCA 

software tools such as SimaPro. In fact, the evidence suggests that this new 14048-based format 

may become the “de facto” standard. The immediate work program for this task will therefore 

include the following components: 

• Production of a summary document explaining how EcoSPOLD differs from, and 

complies with, ISO 14048; 

• Further communication with database developers worldwide concerning the pros and 

cons of using the EcoSPOLD format relative to other options, including an assessment of 

where the worldwide LCA community is headed in terms of database formats for 

exchange and documentation; and 

• Continued coordination with NREL as needed to convey this information, gather new 

information, and resolve any remaining formatting issues. 

An example data module from the Athena Institute databases will be provided in early January to 

facilitate the format and Web site development task. The test module will also be used to 

examine the treatment of energy combustion versus process emissions, as well as other issues 

related to module interrelationships, especially as they might affect or be affected by the format. 

5 
Table 1: Work Program Elements and Schedule 

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 1st Quarter 2nd Qua

Task 1 - Planning, reporting Prioritize Fuels and Energy data modules Review/prioitize other data for material modules 

Develop/up-date work program Develop/up-date cash flow projections 

Final project report Task 2 - Database/web formats Review of recent format developments Survey of tool developers Initial web format development (with NREL) Provision of test data to NREL Ongoing development/testing (with NREL) Task 3 - Protocol revisions/annexes Develop input screening tool Standardize substance nomenclature Develop elementary flow reporting guidelines Develop economic allocation annex Review and revise protocol as required Task 4 — Data collection & analysis Fuels, Energy, Transport — High Priority Fuels, Energy, Transport — Lower Priority Other materials End of Life Task 5 — Database User's Guide Preparation of initial version Revision and up-dating as necessary 

Legend: More intensive work program 

Less intensive or uncertain program 

Outside funding -- does not affect NREL budget 

2002 2003 

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 1st Quarter 2nd Qua

Task 1 - Planning, reporting Prioritize Fuels and Energy data modules Review/prioitize other data for material modules 

Develop/up-date work program Develop/up-date cash flow projections 

Final project report Task 2 - Database/web formats Review of recent format developments Survey of tool developers Initial web format development (with NREL) Provision of test data to NREL Ongoing development/testing (with NREL) Task 3 - Protocol revisions/annexes Develop input screening tool Standardize substance nomenclature Develop elementary flow reporting guidelines Develop economic allocation annex Review and revise protocol as required Task 4 — Data collection & analysis Fuels, Energy, Transport — High Priority Fuels, Energy, Transport — Lower Priority Other materials Transformation Processes End of Life Task 5 — Database User's Guide Preparation of initial version Revision and up-dating as necessary 

Legend: More intensive work program 

Less intensive or uncertain program 

Outside funding -- does not affect NREL budget 

2002 2003 
3.3 Task 3 

With the exception of ongoing review and revision, this task will be completed during the next 

quarter. Progress has already been made on all of the elements as described in Section 2. 

3.3.1 Input-screening tool 

The input-screening tool is intended to help analysts screen for missing inputs to a product class, 

to identify the relevance or potential environmental significance of small inputs to a unit process, 

and to test for the potential influence of missing flows. 

A Missing Inventory Estimation Tool (MEIT) has been developed by CML, the Centre for 

Environmental Studies, at Leiden University in the Netherlands, to test for missing flows using 

input-output (I/O) techniques and U.S. I/O and environmental data. While this tool has been 

previously restricted to fewer than 100 sectors, which is a high level of aggregation for such a 

screening tool, CML reports an update to 500 sectors is planned for early 2003. Our approach 

will be to directly use the CML data and tool as feasible, augmenting it with Sylvatica’s OpenLC 

software where necessary and where the benefits are significant. 

In support of this approach, there is a general consensus emerging among LCA practitioners 

worldwide that process-oriented LCA and LCA based on national I/O data compliment each 

other. Furthermore, many recent papers and practical applications have highlighted the potential 

for a hybrid of these two approaches to provide more accurate results than either in isolation. 

Practitioners use process-based data where available, and fill in the data gaps inherent in such 

process-based systems using I/O data where necessary. By merging or combining these two data 

sources, it should be possible to achieve more accurate final results than by using either source in 

isolation. 

The following specific steps are planned: 

1. Use the selected U.S. I/O LCA tool to determine the total upstream environmental burden 

(e.g., via TRACI, CML method, and Eco-Indicator 99 method) associated with each input to 

each of 500 sectors in the U.S. I/O model; 

2. Work with test data to determine an algorithm/basis for sorting inputs in terms of their 

environmental significance (e.g., importance with respect to any of a subset of TRACI 

impact categories, or other options); 

3. Use uncertainty analysis (Monte Carlo simulation) for the input/output data uncertainties and 

the emissions coefficient uncertainties to estimate upper and lower bounds for the importance 

(burdens) of each input to each sector; and 

4. Based on the nature and relevance of the results of step 3, develop screening tool 

recommendations for further testing and implementation. 

3.3.2 Elementary flow reporting guidelines 

This research protocol annex will detail reporting guidelines for the selection and reporting of 

elementary flows, including standard substance nomenclature. In this case, screening will be 

focused on the problem of ensuring adequate coverage of significant environmental effects 

without the overwhelming detail encountered in some LCI databases. 
A two-step screening process is planned: screening based on direct emissions from each 4-digit 

Standard Industrial Classification of the U.S. economy (roughly 500 sectors); and screening 

based on emissions from processes within the SimaPro database for materials of high near-term 

priority. Screening will be done based on at least three impact assessment methods: TRACI, 

CML updated method, and EcoIndicator 99. 

The two steps have been selected (over screening based on normalization data, or on cradle-togate emissions) because these approaches have the highest level of conservativeness and 

inclusiveness. 

Specific planned sub-tasks include the following: 

1. Life-cycle characterization analysis on the direct emissions from each sector, using each of 

the three life-cycle impact assessment methods listed above 

Inventory flows for this sector-based analysis will include at least the following pollutant 

data sets: TRI toxic releases to air, water, and land; criteria air pollutants; NTI (additional, 

and additionally-speciated releases to air); and greenhouse gasses. For each sector, we will 

rank inventory flows by percentage contribution to each impact category, and determine the 

subset of flows that contributes total cumulative percentages higher than specified individual 

percentages of impact, for each impact category. For example, we will examine the flows 

that must be included to capture at least 99% of the impact in each impact category, or that 

each account for at least 1% of the total impact in each impact category. 

2. Life cycle characterization analysis for 20-30 different process types (e.g., steel basic oxygen 

furnace, steel electric arc furnace, etc.) that are found to be of high near-term relevance to 

the U.S. LCI Database Project 

We will again rank inventory flows by percentage contribution to each impact category. We 

will also determine the flows that must be included in each supply chain in order to account 

for at least 99% of the impact in each category. 

In addition, during this task we will clarify the flow nomenclature that best serves the impact 

assessment methods, based on a review and comparison of U.S. reporting nomenclatures (e.g., to 

U.S. EPA datasets), the nomenclature in each of the impact assessment methods, and the findings 

and recommendations from the recently completed SETAC Europe working group on data 

quality and data availability. 

3.3.3 Economic allocation annex 

This addition to the protocol is an annex to guide the use of economic allocation methods. As 

noted in Section 2, a draft annex has already been completed. The work program will now focus 

on further review and evaluation of the recommended procedures, with testing using actual data 

modules to the extent practical. We plan to complete this annex by mid-February. 

3.3.4 Extensive testing and revision of Data Development Guidelines 

Once the protocol has been used to guide the first round of data collection, we plan an extensive 

review and revision as necessary, the results of which will be posted on the NREL website. This 

work will be completed by the end of 2003. 

8 
3.4 Task 4 

3.4.1 Fuels, Energy, Transport 

This task includes data collection and analysis leading to the database. In Phase I, the highest 

priority was attached to modules related to fuels and energy, including fuels extraction, 

processing, and transportation; fuel combustion effects; electricity generation; and transportation 

fuel use and emissions by mode. The initial Task 1 work described in Section 2.1 led to the 

following more detailed prioritization of the specific fuels and energy modules. 

HIGHEST PRIORITY 

Primary Fuel Production 

Coal: Bituminous 

Coal: Anthracite 

Coal: Lignite 

Natural Gas 

Crude Oil 

Uranium 

Electricity Generation 

Primary Fuel Consumption 

Coal in utility boilers 

Coal in industrial boilers 

Residual oil in utility boilers 

Residual oil in industrial boilers 

Distillate fuel oil in utility boilers 

Distillate fuel oil in industrial boilers 

Natural gas in utility boilers 

Natural gas in industrial boilers 

Natural gas in industrial equipment 

Diesel powered industrial equipment 

Gasoline powered industrial equipment 

LPG in industrial boilers 

Wood in industrial boilers 

Uranium fuel use 

Mobile Sources 

Tractor-trailer (gasoline) 

Tractor-trailer (diesel) 

Single-unit truck (gasoline) 

Single-unit truck (diesel) 

Locomotive (diesel) 

Barge (diesel) 

Barge (residual fuel oil) 

Ocean freighter (diesel) 

Ocean freighter (residual) 

Airplane (kerosene) 

SECOND PRIORITY 

Primary Fuel Production 

Residual oil 

Distillate oil 

Gasoline 

Propane LPG 

Jet fuel (kerosene) 

Other-Hydropower 

Other-Biomass 

Other-Wind 

Other-Ethanol 

Other-Geothermal 

9 
The above priorities are reflected in the Table 1 schedule and, as discussed in Section 2.4, work 

is already well advanced on several of the highest priority modules using existing Franklin 

Associates databases as the starting point or foundation. Also discussed in Section 2.1 is the fact 

that discussions are underway with the EPA to coordinate work on electricity generation. 

3.4.2 Other Materials 

The initial work on other materials will be based on existing Athena Institute databases. The 

immediate priority will be to extract a basic steel production data module that can be linked to 

selected energy production modules (e.g., coal production) for the purpose of developing and 

testing the data format and Web site (see Section 3.2). 

As indicated in Table 1, we plan a period of more intensive activity during the first quarter of 

2003 when we will concentrate on the Institute data modules that can most readily be extracted 

and adjusted to suit the requirements of the project. The realities of cash flows dictate less 

intensive activity during the second and third quarters in order to maintain the focus on high 

priority energy and transportation modules. However, we expect to at least initiate activity on 

several other fronts. For example, data on various wood building products should be available 

from the CORRIM project and there is publicly available data on basic aluminum production that 

may be usable with little additional work by the project team. As well, discussions are 

continuing with other industries (e.g., plastics, lime, other metals) to either acquire or develop 

appropriate data modules. 

3.4.3 Transformation Processes 

Table 1 shows work underway and planned in the transformation process category, with the note 

that the work has outside funding and does not affect the NREL budget. That work is currently 

being funded by the Vehicle Recycling Partnership (VRP) of the U.S. Car Project (Ford, General 

Motors, and Daimler Chrysler). It has two aspects: internal data collection and analysis by VRP; 

and separately funded advisory and data aggregation work by the project team. 

The current focus is on different aluminum casting technologies for complex parts like engine 

blocks. Future VRP work will focus on other transformations of interest to the automobile 

industry, but the exact details are yet to be determined. As a result, Table 1 shows the 

transformation process category as less intensive or uncertain after the first quarter of 2003. This 

is one area where the Table is likely to be updated as part of the next quarterly report. 

We should also note that, while the intention is to provide data modules for the database project, 

there would have to be ultimate approval from senior auto industry management before data will 

be released for public use. 

3.4.4 End-of-Life 

The development of end-of-life process modules related to recycling or ultimate disposal of 

products or materials is shown as an uncertain activity for 2004. No specific starting databases 

have yet been identified and there is not sufficient funding available, given the other priorities, to 

initiate primary data collection activities any sooner. 

10 
3.5 Database User’s Guide 

Development of an initial version of the database user’s guide will be completed during January 

and February. The guide will then be reviewed, revised, and updated as a routine ongoing 

activity throughout the rest of the project period. 

11 
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved 

OMB NO. 0704-0188 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this 

collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20503. 

1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 

March 2004 

3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 

Subcontract Report 

December 2002 

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 

U.S. LCI Database Project: 1st Quarterly Report and Development Plan Update, 

December 2003 

5. FUNDING NUMBERS 

LDC-3-32452-01 

BEC3.3004 

6. AUTHOR(S) 

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute 

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute 

Merrickville, Ontario, Canada 

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 

REPORT NUMBER 

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

1617 Cole Blvd. 

Golden, CO 80401-3393 

10. SPONSORING/MONITORING 

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 

NREL/SR-550-35623 

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 

NREL Technical Monitor: M. Deru 

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 

National Technical Information Service 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, VA 22161 

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE 

13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words) 

Summary of progress on LCI Database project for 2002. 

14. SUBJECT TERMS 

LCI Database Project; 1st Quarterly Report and Development Plan Update; 2002 

15. NUMBER OF PAGES 

16. PRICE CODE 

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 

OF REPORT 

Unclassified 

18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 

OF THIS PAGE 

Unclassified 

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 

OF ABSTRACT 

Unclassified 

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 

UL 

NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) 

Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39-18 

298-102