The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week 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 system would be a first step towards regulating greenhouse gases on a federal level.
Approximately 13,000 facilities, accounting for about 85% to 90% of greenhouse gases emitted in the United States, would be
covered under the proposal, according to the agency.
The new reporting requirements would apply to suppliers of fossil fuel
and industrial chemicals, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines,
as well as large direct emitters of greenhouse gases with emissions
of at least 25,000 metric tons per year.
This threshold is roughly equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas
emissions from just over 4,500 passenger vehicles. The vast majority of
small businesses would not be required to report their emissions
because their emissions fall well below the threshold, the EPA said.
“Our efforts to confront climate change must be guided by the best possible information,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “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.”
The direct emission sources covered under the reporting requirement would include energy intensive sectors such as cement production, iron and steel production, and electricity generation, among others.
The first annual report would be submitted to EPA in 2011 for the calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011.
EPA estimates that the expected cost to comply with the reporting requirements to the private sector would be $160 million for the first year. In subsequent years, the annualized costs for the private sector would be $127 million.
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