Greenhouse Gas Regulation: Glimpsing the Future

August 10, 2010

While many of us may debate and/or disagree with the ultimate source of global warming (manmade versus a natural cycle), there is no longer any debate as to the future regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs). 

GHGs contribute to global warming by trapping additional solar radiation in the atmosphere, which can cause an increase in temperature.  The most common gas causing this “greenhouse effect” is carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is not only exhaled, but also results from all fossil fuel combustion processes.  The politics and science related to this subject are hotly contested, and for many of us, the debate that CO₂ should be a regulated pollutant will no doubt continue.

On May 13, 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a final rule to address GHG emissions from the largest stationary sources while shielding millions of small sources of GHGs from Clean Air Act permitting requirements.

After extensive study, debate and hundreds of thousands of public comments, EPA has set common-sense thresholds for greenhouse gases that will spark clean technology innovation and protect small businesses and farms, there is no denying our responsibility to protect the planet for our children and grandchildren. It’s long past time we unleashed our American ingenuity and started building the efficient, prosperous clean energy economy of the future.

                -USEPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

In summary, the rule establishes thresholds for Clean Air Act Permits for facilities that emit large quantities of GHGs.  The permitting thresholds of 75,000 tons per year for increased emissions or 100,000 tons per year for new sources take effect in 2011.  These thresholds would only affect the largest emitters of GHG such as power plants and large industrial fuel combustion processes.   

We should, however, be aware that this ruling is different from the mandatory GHG reporting rule (September 2009), which requires that facilities (the entire campus is defined as the facility) which emit over 25,000 tons per year of GHG must report on March 31, 2011 with 2010 data.  At a minimum, those of us responsible for a combustion process or campus-style setting (university, hospital, corporate campus) should understand their levels of GHG emissions.  

There are many tools available to calculate GHG emissions, and depending on the size of your emission sources, performing the threshold calculations is a requirement.  The first report is due on March 31, 2011 and will impact over 10,000 facilities. 

GHG regulation will continue to expand to cover more facilities and those with smaller emissions.  The ultimate impact to the marketplace remains to be seen, but as the regulatory burden and costs related to these emissions grow, we may see a shift toward lower emission choices and technologies.  

Adam M. Weissman - Associate Senior Engineer, P.E.
amweissman@geoinc.com