ClimateIntel.com

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today a final rule that will require greenhouse gases (GHG) to be monitored under a new reporting system beginning in 2010.  The rule, known as the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Rule, is in response to the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which allocated $3,5000,000 for activities related to finalizing the rule within 18 months.  According to EPA, the rule is intended to provide a better understanding of the sources of GHG emissions, so as to help EPA develop policies and programs to reduce emissions.  Businesses may also use the data to track their own emissions, compare them to similar facilities and identify mechanisms to reduce emissions.

EPA estimates that the reporting rule will capture the data of 85 percent of the nation’s emissions from approximately 10,000 facilities.  The 10,000 facilities include sites that emit 25,000 metric tons of more of CO₂ per year.  Under the new rule, EPA will review 2010 reports starting in 2011.  Thereafter, facilities must submit annual reports to EPA.

EPA’s promulgation of this rule is another indication that the agency will continue to implement that authority it believes is provided under the Clean Air Act, irrespective of congressional consideration of comprehensive climate legislation.  Also in line for promulgation is a final rule with respect to the endangerment finding proposed in April 2009 and a proposal to establish a “significance level” for CO₂ emissions from stationary sources.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 4:38 PM and is filed under GHG Regulation, US Law and Policy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.