Tech Environmental e-Newsletter
January 2010

TAX DAY IS NOW GREENHOUSE GAS DAY

In July 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) finalized the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation. This regulation requires the first reporting of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for many Massachusetts facilities by April 15, 2010.  

Many Massachusetts facilities should currently be tracking emissions of CO2 and five other GHGs to ensure accurate future reporting. Any facility that emits 5,000 tons of CO2 "equivalents" will need to report its emissions by April 15, 2011.

The new regulation will also begin mandating third-party verification of all GHG submittals in 2011.  Accurate recordkeeping is imperative since the independent third-party verification audits could question GHG reporting data dating back to January 2009.  The best strategy for all facilities is to collect and track all potentially-applicable emissions information, beginning immediately.

What regulations are in effect in 2010?

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 requires the Commonwealth to reduce its GHG emissions by at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.  The GWSA law calls for regulations to establish the reporting of GHG emissions by the Commonwealth's largest sources.  In July 2009, MassDEP finalized the Mandatory GHG Emissions Reporting Regulation (310 CMR 7.71), which identifies facilities required to report GHG emissions, establishes the methodologies to be used to calculate those emissions, and establishes verification requirements. 

How does my facility stay in compliance?

Facilities are required to report their CO2 emissions by April 15th, 2010 if they are regulated under Title V of the U.S. Clean Air Act, or if they emitted more than 5,000 tons of CO2 from stationary sources in 2009.  Any regulated facility is required to report emissions from stationary sources, as well as emissions from mobile (i.e. vehicular) sources, manufacturing process, and fugitive discharges associated with the facility.

What do I need to anticipate for 2010 reporting?

Starting in 2011, facilities are required to report emissions of five other greenhouse gases in addition to CO2. It is important to note that the other five GHGs have elevated “global warming potential." For instance, emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are commonly associated with leakage from refrigeration systems.  The emissions from these processes may seem trivial, but the defined CO2 equivalent levels for these emissions are remarkable; the "global warming potentials" for refrigerants range as high as 10,000 times that of CO2.   

How can Tech Environmental help?

Tech Environmental has been calculating air emissions for 25 years: we have kept many clients in compliance with all applicable regulations, and we have worked closely with MassDEP. Our President provided oversight during the development of Mass. GHG regulations, and we've worked with many clients to report GHG emissions and mitigate GHG impacts.

Tech can help you with the new regulations by preparing GHG report submittals or assisting with recordkeeping preparation. Remember, third-party verification is coming: penalties are still being determined, so it's best to make sure that your facility is collecting all applicable information right now.

For more information, contact Dr. Dana Buske at dbuske@techenv.com.

Tech Helps Wellesley
Track & Report GHG

Wellesley College operates four boilers and five cogeneration air emission units as part of its Central Heating Plant. All its sources are covered by its MassDEP Operating Permit. Tech Environmental has assisted Wellesley College for the past few years by providing Title V Operating Air Permit support, including the preparation of the Operating Permit Renewal application, and several permit compliance reporting and emissions tracking tasks. Wellesley recently retained Tech to assist with online reporting of its GHG emissions to MassDEP.

In 2008, Tech was called upon to prepare the College's Title V Operating Permit renewal under an extremely tight deadline set by MassDEP. Tech continues to provide oversight of the College's Operating Permit reporting requirements and annual source registration. Due to our knowledge and experience with the College's emissions sources, we are working closely with Wellesley's facilities department to prepare for the more stringent GHG regulations coming in future years, in order to ensure that the College's data tracking can stand up to a third-party audit.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Dana C. Buske is an environmental scientist who works closely with many institutional and industrial clients to accurately track and report greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Buske has wide-ranging experience performing air monitoring, conducting refined and complex terrain dispersion modeling to evaluate the impact of emissions on air quality, compiling emissions inventories, preparing air permit applications, and performing analyses of various control technologies. She provided vital assistance and support to MassDEP as the agency implemented its eDEP online source registration system.

Her experience also includes conducting air quality monitoring for groundwater remediation support, public health concerns, OSHA regulatory compliance, and indoor air quality concerns. Prior to joining the staff at Tech Environmental, Dr. Buske conducted research in organic chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University.

Dr. Buske can be contacted at (781) 890-2220, extension 29, or by email at dbuske@techenv.com.

CONTACT US

303 Wyman Street, Suite 295

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

ph. 781-890-2220

fax 781-890-9451

email info@techenv.com

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