The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put forth the first comprehensive national greenhouse gas emissions reporting First US wide GHG emissions reporting initiativesystem. The initiative will cover major GHG sources that emit over 25,000 metric tons GHG per year. This measure will further encourage the replacement of environmentally unfriendly chemicals by natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons.
On 10 March, the US EPA announced the first national rule of its kind to tally GHG emissions in the new American administration’s effort to counter previous climate skeptic political stance. The proposal could provide an accounting basis for a federal regulation and is regarded by some environmental groups as a foundation towards serious attempts to cap and reduce GHG in the USA.
Reporting on chemical industry emissions
“Our efforts to confront climate change must be guided by the best possible information. Through this new reporting, we will have comprehensive and accurate data about the production of greenhouse gases. This is a critical step toward helping us better protect our health and environment – all without placing an onerous burden on our nation’s small businesses,” outlined EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
The scheme requires for approximately 13 000 facilities, accounting for almost 90% of US GHG emissions, to report their emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other gases that climate scientists link to global warming. Industries covered by the proposal include: suppliers of fossil fuel and industrial chemicals, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines, as well as large direct emitters.
With higher pressure being applied on the chemical industry but also on high GHG emitting industries, one could imagine that further incentives to encourage the switch to natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons will be presented in the coming years.
Drafting and implementing
The US EPA have used existing state and local GHG reduction initiatives to draft this proposal. It states that this measure will have no considerable impact on small manufacturers and the estimate cost to the private sector will be of $160 million the first year and $127 million in subsequent years.
The proposal will be open to public comments for 60 days after publication at the Federal Register. The environmental agency will also be hosting two workshops on the issue in that period. EPA will submit its first annual report in 2001 for calendar year 2010 with the exception of the auto and engine manufacturers which will start reporting for model year 2011.
