New Rule on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Now in Effect

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On October 30, 2009, the USEPA published its final mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule impacting facilities across a wide range of industries.  The USEPA designated two main groups of facilities required to report GHG emissions:  all-in source categories and threshold source categories.  If you are a source listed in the all-in category, you are required to report GHG emissions to the USEPA regardless of the emission level.  If you are a facility in the threshold category — including most facilities with stationary combustion sources — that emits 25,000 metric tons/year or more of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, you are required to report your GHG emissions.

Data collection began on January 1, 2010, with the first emissions report due to USEPA on March 31, 2011.  Sources are required to use continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) if already in use for NSPS or acid rain programs.  Alternately, source category emission calculations can be performed in conjunction with process parameter monitoring to determine GHG emissions.  Regardless of the method, monitoring plans are required to be in place at facilities by April 1, 2010.

These are just some of the requirements for this new rule that will impact tens of thousands of facilities.  For more information about our GHG reporting and air quality management capabilities, please contact Joe Darmody or Rick Pershall.

Click here to visit EPA’s webpage containing the Final Rule, Fact Sheet and other information regarding the applicability and requirements of this rule.