The EPA on Thursday, May 13, 2010, announced a final rule to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest stationary sources, and also stipulated which farms and small businesses will be exempt. The phased-in approach will address facilities like power plants and oil refineries that the agency claims are responsible for 70 percent of the greenhouse gases from stationary sources.

In July 2011, Clean Air Act permitting requirements will expand to cover all new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tpy and modifications at existing facilities that would increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy. These permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies to minimize GHG emission increases when facilities are constructed or significantly modified.

The regulations will be phased in, starting January 2011, when Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will kick in for large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air Act permits for other pollutants. Those facilities will be required to include GHGs in their permit if they increase these emissions by at least 75,000 tons per year (tpy).

Under the new emissions thresholds for GHGs that begin in July 2011, the EPA estimates approximately 900 additional permitting actions covering new sources and modifications to existing sources would be subject to review each year. In addition, 550 sources will need to obtain operating permits for the first time because of their GHG emissions.

The final rule addresses a group of six greenhouse gases: CO₂, methane N₂, HFCs, PFC and SF₆.

The agency said it received about 450,000 comments during the 60-day public comment period for its October 2009 proposal.

Use the following pdfs to find more information about the rule:

EPA fact sheet: www.epa.gov/nsr/documents/20100413fs.pdf