US EPA releases GHG repotting rule; allows states to determine BACT

摘要

The EPA on Nov. 9 released long-awaited final rules concerning its GHG reporting regulations for large emitters, including oil refineries, chemical plants, natural gas facilities, and coal-fired power plants. Under the new rules, from Jan. 2, 2011, facilities that emit more than 25K mt/y of CO2 equivalent (CChe) must begin monitoring and recording their emissions, with the first annual reports filed to the EPA in March 2012. The EPA's regulations do not require firms to reduce emissions, but give individual states the responsibility to determine, on a case-by-case basis, the best available control technology (BACT) that companies should use to limit GHGs. The EPA expects energy efficiency efforts to emerge as the most cost-effective approach to slashing emissions, and anticipates efficiency improvements to be included in most permits initially.