Creative Ways to Generate and Certify Emission Reduction Credits

摘要

In the business world, missed opportunities can mean money lost. Within many industries, opportunities to create emission reduction credits (ERCs) from reductions in air emissions are overlooked everyday, often because facilities are unaware that the opportunity for ERC generation exists. ERCs can be beneficial to a facility financially and can improve public image in a world where environmental awareness has made the public highly critical of industrial operations and the associated air emissions. The big question is: Where to find these elusive ERCs? This paper will identify potential sources of ERCs, including emission source shutdown, material substitution, and the installation of air pollution control equipment, and discuss how to take advantage of such ERC generation opportunities in a timely manner. We will translate complex federal and state ERC regulations into easily understandable terms and discuss emission source criteria and information typically required to certify ERCs, as well as discuss the benefits of participation in an ERC program. This paper is directed at those new to or having only limited knowledge of ERC programs.