EPA Releases Mandatory Carbon Emissions Reporting Plan
As air quality continues to deteriorate the USA is working ever more closely with facilities that produce substances which are known to affect the air that we breathe. Mandatory carbon emissions reporting is being introduced to help achieve the goal.
The nationwide comprehensive plan for mandatory carbon emissions reporting announced by the EPA is aimed at controlling carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that adversely impact the ozone layer and lead to global warming. The government agency has determined that carbon dioxide is a danger to the general public and, as such, requires strict regulation.
A utility that uses refrigerant as gases or other regulated substances would be required to comply with mandatory carbon emissions reporting. Refrigerant gases are known to affect the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Numerous gases are listed in the EPA regulations including nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride and ethers.
It is expected that the mandatory carbon emissions reporting plan will take effect in 2010 but that the first annual report will not be due until the following year. Facilities impacted include those with refrigeration and AC systems, HVAC systems and those companies that are in the auto manufacturing industry.
Along with mandatory carbon emissions reporting, the U.S. Clean Air Act requires companies, facilities and municipalities to monitor, track and report on harmful substances, such as refrigerant gases, that are in use on their premises. Those who fail to comply with the requirements or submit incomplete information are subject to hefty fines and other penalties.
A business can address mandatory carbon emissions reporting in two ways. Monitoring and tracking can be handled manually and the reports completed by hand. However this approach can be very time-consuming and error-prone, and many will opt to use a software program or a web-based application to automatically handle the monitoring and tracking requirements. Automation helps to ensure that reports are accurate and timely. Automation is also cost-effective and much more efficient for companies with multiple operational locations or systems.
Mandatory carbon emissions reporting will definitely lower this country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The government has said that 13,000 facilities are responsible for between 85 and 90% of the harmful substances in the air.
The United States will help to ensure that companies will reduce their carbon footprint through the use of mandatory carbon emissions reporting. This country is not alone in these efforts and similar initiatives are being taken worldwide to help address climate change.