U.S. EPA Training for Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule to be Held in Chicago

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will sponsor a free, on-site half-day training session on the National Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Rule (MRR) in Chicago March 25. At this time, this is the only training session scheduled for Region 7.

The training will focus on the MRR’s Subpart A - General Provisions, Subpart C - Stationary Fuel Combustion, Subpart D - Electricity generation, and Subpart HH - Municipal Landfills. The training location is Crowne Plaza, Chicago O’Hare Hotel, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois, one-and-a-half miles from O’Hare airport. The training session will run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

The training is free but registration is required. Attendees must register on-line by March 15 at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/training.html.

The MRR was signed by the Administrator on September 22, 2009 and became effective December 29, 2009. Under the MRR, suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are required to submit annual reports to EPA.

The gases covered by the proposed rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFE).

EPA is taking the lead on implementing the MRR. More information on the rule can be found at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html and http://www.iowadnr.gov/air/prof/ghg/ghg.html. Questions on the rule can be directed to EPA via the MRR Hotline 1-877-GHG-1188 or GHGMRR@epa.gov. The DNR contact for the rule is Marnie Stein, marnie.stein@dnr.iowa.gov, (515) 281-8468.