Environment Article in HIA's "The Hauppauge Reporter" by D&B Associate

USEPA – Monitoring Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Beginning January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is, for the first time, requiring large emitters of “heat-trapping” emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data under a new reporting system. The first reports will be due on March 31, 2011. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities. Under the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule (40 CFR 98), suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions are required to submit annual reports to the USEPA.

USEPA’s analysis shows that the rule will not affect homeowners, small businesses, schools, or commercial establishments such as dry cleaners and retail stores. However, there are there some sectors of the economy where all facilities have to report regardless of whether they meet the 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent(mtCO2e) annual threshold. These “All-in Source Categories” include facilities that provide electricity generation, petroleum refi neries, Municipal Solid Waste Landfills and cement production facilities, to name a few. In addition, any facility that has an aggregate maximum rated heat input capacity of stationary fuel combustion units of more than 30 MMBtu/hr will need to perform threshold capacity calculations to determine whether reporting is required.

If you feel that new regulatory requirements may be applicable to your facility, please contact the HIA Environmental Committee Co-Chairman Richard M. Walka at 516-364-9890 ext 3006.

Matthew R. DeVinney, P.E., AssociateAbout the Author: Matthew R. DeVinney, P.E., is an Associate with the firm of Dvirka and Bartilucci Consulting Engineers in the Division of Environmental Remediation and Multimedia Compliance. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York. Mr.DeVinney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a Master’s of Engineering from Manhattan College in Environmental Engineering.