The US EPA issued its final rule for greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting on September 22, 2009. Gases covered include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrfluorinated ethers (HFE). The final rule can be viewed at the EPA website.

NQA suggests that each organization determine the applicability of this rule considering the following guidelines:

1. Determine whether or not your facility will need to comply with this rule (Do you emit in excess of 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) annually from all stationary fuel combustion devices)

2. Begin the planning process for monitoring and reporting (There have been some reports that EPA has money as part of the Federal Stimulus Funding that could be eligible for monitoring equipment purchases).

3. Conduct baseline GHG inventory (metric tons of CO2e) of your emission sources (If you are required to report based on your baseline inventories consider whether you will need assistance in preparing report to EPA-due by 3/31/2010)

National Quality Assurance has established resources to assist organizations in developing a plan to deal with the GHG Reporting Rule. Please contact Larry Tibert at 800-649-5289 or via email for additional information.