The EPA is finalizing requirements under its national mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting program for underground coal mines, industrial wastewater treatment systems, industrial waste landfills and magnesium production facilities. These source categories will begin collecting emissions data on Jan. 1, 2011, with the first annual reports submitted to the EPA on March 31, 2012.

Methane is the primary GHG emitted from coal mines, industrial wastewater treatment systems and industrial landfills and is more than 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere. The main fluorinated GHG emitted from magnesium production is sulfur hexafluoride, which has an even greater warming potential than methane, and can stay in the atmosphere for thousands of years.

More information on the final rule to add reporting requirements for four source categories is available at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/remaining-source-categories.html.

SOURCE: EPA Press Release