EPA Releases Proposed Rule on Greenhouse Gas Reporting

On March 10, 2009, EPA proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States.

The reporting requirements would apply to suppliers of fossil fuels and industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines, and facilities whose greenhouse gas emissions amount to 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. The rule would cover 85-90 percent of total national greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, from approximately 13,000 facilities. The first annual report would be due March 31, 2011 for calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011. Reports will be sent electronically directly to EPA.

DNR's "2007 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Selected Source Categories " shows that 104 Iowa industrial facilities reported 2007 greenhouse gas emissions greater than EPA’s proposed 25,000 metric ton threshold. Other Iowa sources affected will include landfills, industrial wastewater treatment plants, suppliers of fossil fuels, suppliers of industrial greenhouse gases, and some manure management systems. Enteric emissions from ruminant animals and non-livestock farming are not covered by the proposed rule.

A public comment period will be open for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register; EPA will also conduct two public hearings this April in Virginia and California.

The pre-publication text of the proposed rule, fact sheets, details on the public hearings, instructions on how to submit comments, and other information may be found at: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html. If you have questions, please contact Marnie Stein of DNR at Marnie.Stein@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-281-8468.