Collection of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data

June 6, 2007

On April 27, 2007, Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 485, a bill related to greenhouse gas emissions. This bill requires the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to collect data on greenhouse gas emissions through air construction permits and prevention of significant deterioration permits. The legislation defines greenhouse gases as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

Other elements of the bill include:

1. requires the DNR to establish a greenhouse gas emission inventory methodology by January 1, 2008;
2. requires the DNR to establish a voluntary greenhouse gas registry by January 1, 2009; and
3. establishes a council to consider and determine the best strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

Senate File 485 can be viewed at the Iowa General Assembly's website at www.legis.state.ia.us , click on Bill Book, and enter SF 485 or here.

In the next few weeks the DNR will be providing additional list serve articles relating to the implementation of the data collection. Topics will include information on new construction permit application forms for the reporting of potential greenhouse gas emissions, sources of emission factors, and potential changes to the Iowa Administrative Code.

Starting on July 2, 2007, construction permit applications must include potential greenhouse gas emissions for the project. Applications received without this information will be considered incomplete and the permit(s) cannot be issued until the information has been received. Please note that the Linn County and Polk County air permitting programs are also subject to the same requirements.

Additional information will be available on our website, www.iowacleanair.com, in the near future. For questions concerning construction permits, please contact our toll-free Construction Permit Helpline at (877) AIR-IOWA or (877) 247-4692. For emissions inventory or other questions, please call 515-242-5100.