Source: http://govpulse.us/entries/2011/08/04/2011-18712/mandatory-reporting-of-greenhouse-gases
Timestamp: 2015-01-29 10:18:57
Document Index: 104651108

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 98', '§ 98', 'art 98', '§ 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', '§ 98', 'art 98', 'art 98', '§ 98', '§ 98', '§ 98', 'art 98']

govpulse | Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases
EPA is proposing to amend specific provisions in the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule to correct certain technical and editorial errors that have been identified since promulgation and to clarify or propose amendments to certain provisions that have been the subject of questions from reporting entities. These proposed changes include additional information to clarify compliance obligations, correct data reporting elements so they more closely conform to the information used to perform emission calculations, and make other corrections and amendments. EPA has received petitions for reconsideration on some of these subparts. EPA is still considering these petitions, and the issues raised in the petitions are not discussed or addressed in this action.
A. How is this preamble organized?
B. Background on This Action
D. How would these amendments apply to 2012 reports?
II. Technical Corrections and Other Amendments
B. Subpart W—Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems
C. Subpart FF—Underground Coal Mines
D. Subpart II—Industrial Wastewater Treatment
E. Subpart OO—Suppliers of Industrial Greenhouse Gases
F. Subpart RR—Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
G. Subpart TT—Industrial Waste Landfills
Table A-3 of Subpart A of Part 98—Source Category List for § 98.2(a)(1)
Table A-5 to Subpart A of Part 98—Supplier Category List for § 98.2(a)(4)
Table W-3 to Subpart W of Part 98—Default Total Hydrocarbon Emission Factors for Onshore Natural Gas Transmission Compression
Table W-4 to Subpart W of Part 98—Default Total Hydrocarbon Emission Factors for Underground Natural Gas Storage
Table TT-1 of Subpart TT—Default DOC and Decay Rate Values for Industrial Waste Landfills
You may submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0147 by any of the following methods:
•Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
•E-mail: MRR_Corrections@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0147 [and/or RIN number] in the subject line of the message.
•Fax:(202) 566-9744.
•Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 2822T, Attention: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0147, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.
•Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0147, 2011 Technical Corrections, Clarifying and Other Amendments to Certain Provisions of the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. This Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is (202) 566-1742.
Carole Cook, Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (MC-6207J), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 343-9263; fax number: (202) 343-2342; e-mail address:GHGReportingRule@epa.gov. For technical information, please go to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Program Web site http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html. To submit a question, select Rule Help Center, followed by Contact Us. To obtain information about the public hearing or to register to speak at the hearing, please go to http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html. Alternatively, contact Carole Cook at 202-343-9263.
Worldwide Web (WWW). In addition to being available in the docket, an electronic copy of this proposal will also be available through the WWW. Following the Administrator's signature, a copy of this action will be posted on EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Web site at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html.
Additional Information on Submitting Comments: To expedite review of your comments by Agency staff, you are encouraged to send a separate copy of your comments, in addition to the copy you submit to the official docket, to Carole Cook, U.S. EPA, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Climate Change Division, Mail Code 6207-J, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 343-9263, e-mail address:GHGReportingRule@epa.gov.
Regulated Entities. The Administrator determined that this action is subject to the provisions of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 307(d). See CAA section 307(d)(1)(V) (the provisions of section 307(d) apply to “such other actions as the Administrator may determine”). These are proposed amendments to existing regulations. If finalized, these amended regulations would affect owners or operators of certain industrial gas suppliers and direct emitters of GHGs. Regulated categories and examples of affected entities include those listed in Table 1 of this preamble:
Table 1—Examples of Affected Entities by Category ↑CategoryNAICSExamples of affected facilities
Pipeline transportation of natural gas.
Natural gas distribution facilities.
Extractors of crude petroleum and natural gas.
Natural gas liquid extraction facilities.
Underground anthracite coal mining operations.
Underground bituminous coal mining operations.
Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use
Electric bulk power transmission and control facilities.
Pulp mills.
Paperboard mills.
Meat processing facilities.
Frozen fruit, juice, and vegetable manufacturing facilities.
Fruit and vegetable canning facilities.
Ethanol manufacturing facilities.
Industrial gas production facilities.
CO 2 geologic sequestration projects
Newsprint mills.
Table 1 of this preamble is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather lists the types of facilities or suppliers that EPA is now aware could be potentially affected by the reporting requirements. Other types of facilities and suppliers than those listed in the table could also be subject to reporting requirements. To determine whether you are affected by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability criteria found in 40 CFR part 98, subpart A or the relevant criteria in the sections related to suppliers and direct emitters of GHGs. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular facility or supplier, consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Section.
acfactual cubic feet.
AGRacid gas removal.
ASTMAmerican Society for Testing and Materials.
BAMMbest available monitoring methods.
CAAClean Air Act.
CBIconfidential business information.
CEMScontinuous emissions monitoring system.
CFCchlorofluorocarbon.
CFRCode of Federal Regulations.
CH 4 methane.
CO 2 carbon dioxide.
DOCdegradable organic carbon.
EFemission factor.
e-GGRTelectronic-GHG Reporting Tool.
EPA U.S.Environmental Protection Agency.
GHGgreenhouse gas.
GHGRPGreenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
HCFChydrochlorofluorocarbon.
kilograms per cubic foot.
mcfmethane correction factor.
MMscfmillion standard cubic feet.
MRVmonitoring, reporting and verification.
MSHAMine Safety and Health Administration.
MtCO 2 emetric tons carbon dioxide equivalent.
N 2 Onitrous oxide.
NAICSNorth American Industry Classification System.
NOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NTTAANational Technology Transfer and Advancement Act.
OMBOffice of Management and Budget.
PFCsperfluorocarbons.
psiapounds per square inch absolute.
RFARegulatory Flexibility Act.
SF 6 sulfur hexafluoride.
U.S.United States.
UMRAUnfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
A. How is this preamble organized? ↑
The first section of this preamble contains the basic background information about the origin of these proposed rule amendments and request for public comment. This section also discusses EPA's use of our legal authority under the Clean Air Act to collect data under the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHG reporting) rule.
The second section of this preamble describes in detail the changes that are being proposed to correct technical errors, to provide clarification, or propose amendments to address implementation issues identified by EPA and others. This section also presents EPA's rationale for the proposed changes and identifies issues on which EPA is particularly interested in receiving public comments.
Finally, the last (third) section of the preamble discusses the various statutory and executive order requirements applicable to this proposed rulemaking.
B. Background on This Action ↑
The 2009 final GHG reporting rule (2009 final rule) was signed by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on September 22, 2009 and published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2009 (74 FR 56260, October 30, 2009). The 2009 final rule, which became effective on December 29, 2009, includes reporting of GHGs from various facilities and suppliers, consistent with the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Subsequent notices were published in 2010 finalizing the requirements for subparts FF, II, and TT (75 FR 39736, July 12, 2010), subpart W (75 FR 74458, November 30, 2010), subpart DD (75 FR 74774, December 1, 2010) and subpart RR (75 FR 75060, December 1, 2010). Subpart OO, which was promulgated as part of the 2009 final rule was also revised in 2010 (75 FR 79092, December 17, 2010). The source categories in 40 CFR part 98 cover approximately 85-90 percent of U.S. GHG emissions through reporting by direct emitters, as well as suppliers of certain products that would result in GHG emission when released, used, or oxidized, and those that geologically sequester or otherwise inject carbon dioxide (CO 2) underground.
C. Legal Authority ↑
EPA is proposing these rule amendments under its existing CAA authority, specifically authorities provided in CAA section 114.
As stated in the preamble to the 2009 final rule (74 FR 56260) and the Response to Comments on the Proposed Rule, Volume 9, Legal Issues, CAA section 114 provides EPA broad authority to require the information proposed to be gathered by this rule because such data would inform and are relevant to EPA's carrying out a wide variety of CAA provisions. As discussed in the preamble to the initial proposed rule (74 FR 16448, April 10, 2009), CAA section 114(a)(1) authorizes the Administrator to require emissions sources, persons subject to the CAA, manufacturers of control or process equipment, or persons whom the Administrator believes may have necessary information to monitor and report emissions and provide such other information the Administrator requests for the purposes of carrying out any provision of the CAA. For further information about EPA's legal authority, see the preambles to the 2009 proposed and final rules and EPA's Response to Comments, Volume 9.
D. How would these amendments apply to 2012 reports? ↑
EPA is planning to address the comments on these proposed amendments and publish the final amendments before the end of 2011. Therefore, reporters would be expected to calculate emissions and other relevant data for the reports that are submitted in 2012 using 40 CFR part 98 as amended by this proposed action. We have determined that it is feasible for the sources to implement these changes for the 2011 reporting year because the revisions primarily provide additional clarifications regarding the existing regulatory requirements, do not change the type of information that must be collected, and do not materially affect how emissions are calculated.
For example, EPA is proposing several technical clarifications and amendments to subpart A to address issues raised by reporters through questions to the hotline in late 2010 and early 2011, as well as those identified by EPA. For additional background information on the questions raised, please refer to the Technical Support Document for the 2011 Technical Corrections, Clarifying and Other Amendments to Certain Provisions of the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule proposal available in the docket to this rulemaking (EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0147). For instance, we are proposing to change the threshold for underground coal mines to include only those that liberate 36,500,000 actual cubic feet (acf) of methane (CH 4) or more per year (equivalent to 100,000 acf of CH 4 or more per day). If the current regulatory threshold is retained, all mines that are currently subject to quarterly or more frequent sampling by Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) would be required to report. Given that the original requirements were based on an incorrect assumption regarding the number of mines that MSHA samples, we are proposing a new threshold that will remove reporting requirements for approximately 500 mines (see relevant discussion in Section II.C of this preamble). We are also proposing provisions to clarify the time period during which information must be submitted to EPA and to clarify which information may be submitted through the electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) and which must be mailed to the Director of the Climate Change Division. We are also proposing a revision to the definition of “supplier” to be consistent with changes made to the rule during 2010. These changes impose no additional burden for facilities, and could be readily implemented for the 2011 reporting year.
Many proposed revisions provide additional information to provide clarity on existing requirements. For example, in subpart W (Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems) we are providing additional clarity on the methodological options for calculating emissions from acid gas removal units and emissions from well venting for liquids unloading. In subpart FF (Underground Coal Mines) we are proposing to clarify use of MSHA data to calculate emissions. While MSHA data may be used to collect data for volume and concentration of methane, it does not provide temperature and pressure data; therefore, we are proposing that measurements of temperature must be made at the same time as MSHA measurements for volume and concentration of methane and that for pressure, facilities must use either a measured value or the average annual barometric pressure from the nearest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather service station. This proposed clarification is consistent with clarifications EPA has issued in response to industry questions and does not change the rule requirements for facilities collecting data in 2011 because the requirements to collect temperature and pressure data were already clear in 40 CFR 98.324(b)(1). In subpart RR, clarifying text is proposed in 40 CFR 98.443(d) to ensure that facilities account for CO 2
entrained in produced fluids from oil or gas production wells or from other fluid wells that are not processed through a gas-liquid separator. Although we intended that CO 2 content in all produced liquids would be determined (see Section II.B.4 of the preamble to the final subpart RR rule (75 FR 75065, December 1, 2010)), the text in 40 CFR 98.443(d) and associated equations were based on measurements that did not include fluids removed without the use of a separator, such as water removed for pressure relief. Therefore, the clarifying text does not change the rule requirements for facilities collecting data in 2011.
Other proposed amendments provide additional clarity to the data reporting elements. For example, in subpart II (Industrial Wastewater Treatment) we are proposing to clarify what is meant by weekly sampling in 40 CFR 98.353(c) and (d); the proposed revisions would clarify that reporters that sample only once per week must sample more than three days apart.
For some subparts, we are proposing amendments that would provide additional flexibility to the sources. Thus, while they would be free to use the amended regulations once final, facilities are not required to follow the amendments for 2011 data collection. For example, in subpart TT (Industrial Waste Landfills), facilities are provided an additional approach for determining the volatile solids concentration or the waste-specific degradable organic carbon (DOC) values for historically disposed streams. The July 12, 2010 final rule had no provisions by which waste streams that were not disposed of in the first reporting year could be assessed. These waste streams were required to use the default DOC values, which have a high degree of uncertainty. The proposed revision allows owners and operators of industrial waste landfills to develop more accurate values for volatile solids concentration and site-specific DOC. With these proposed amendments, these facilities would have the option, but not be required, to use the newly proposed option for the reports submitted to EPA in 2012 and thereafter.
EPA is also proposing corrections to terms and definitions in certain equations. For example, in subpart TT (Industrial Waste Landfill), we are proposing to delete Equation TT-7 and amend Equation TT-8, which were incorrectly based on the assumption that the volatile solids concentration was expected to have units of mass of volatile solids per mass of (wet) waste. We are correcting these equations per Standard Method 2540G “Total, Fixed, and Volatile Solids in Solid and Semisolid Samples,” in which the volatile solids concentration is determined on a dry basis. These clarifications do not result in additional requirements; therefore, EPA has concluded that reporters subject to the subparts that would be amended by this proposed action can follow the rule, as amended, in submitting their reports in 2012 and thereafter.
Finally, EPA is proposing other technical corrections (e.g., correcting cross references) that have no impact on facilities' data collection efforts in 2011.
In summary, these amendments would not require any additional monitoring or information collection above what was already included in 40 CFR part 98. Therefore, we expect that sources can use the same information that they have been collecting under 40 CFR part 98 for each subpart to calculate and report GHG emissions for 2011 and submit reports in 2012 under the amended subparts.
EPA generally seeks comment on the conclusion that it is appropriate to implement these amendments and incorporate the requirements in the data reported to EPA in 2012. Further, we seek comment on whether there are specific subparts and specific proposed changes where this timeline may not be feasible or appropriate due to the nature of the proposed changes or the way in which data have been collected thus far in 2011. We request that commenters provide specific examples of how the proposed implementation schedule would or would not work.
II. Technical Corrections and Other Amendments ↑
Following promulgation of subparts A and OO on October 30, 2009, subparts FF, II, and TT on July 12, 2010, subpart W on November 30, 2010, and subparts DD and RR on December 1, 2010, EPA has identified errors in the regulatory language that we are now proposing to correct. These errors were identified as a result of working with affected industries to implement these subparts. We have also identified certain rule provisions that should be amended to provide greater clarity. The amendments we are now proposing include the following types of changes:
• Changes to correct cross references within and between subparts.
• Additional information to better or more fully understand compliance obligations in a specific provision, such as the reference to a standardized method that must be followed.
• Amendments to certain equations to better reflect actual operating conditions.
• Corrections to terms and definitions in certain equations.
• Corrections to data reporting requirements so that they more closely conform to the information used to perform emission calculations.
• Other amendments related to certain issues identified as a result of working with the affected sources during rule implementation and outreach.
We are seeking public comment only on the issues specifically identified in this notice for the identified subparts. We will not respond to any comments addressing other aspects of 40 CFR part 98.
A. Subpart A—General Provisions ↑
EPA is proposing several technical clarifications and amendments to subpart A to address issues raised by reporters and identified by EPA during the first year of implementation of the GHG Reporting Program (GHGRP), as well as to clarify terminology to ensure consistency across all subparts. In addition, a number of minor amendments are proposed to ensure that the General Provisions appropriately reflect the incorporation of the additional subparts into the GHGRP that were finalized in 2010.
Threshold for Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use. We are proposing to amend Table A-3 in the General Provisions to clarify applicability of the rule for Electrical Transmission and Distribution Equipment Use (subpart DD). The final subpart DD rule (December 1, 2010; 75 FR 74774) specifies at § 98.301 that reporting is required for an electric power system only if the total nameplate capacity of SF 6 and PFC containing equipment located within the electric power system, when added to the total nameplate capacity of SF 6 and PFC containing equipment that is not located within the electric power system but is under common ownership or control, exceeds 17,820 pounds. That section of the rule also specifies that a facility other than an electric power system that is subject to part 98 because of emissions from another source category is only required to report emissions under subpart DD if the total nameplate capacity of SF 6 and PFC containing equipment located within that facility exceeds 17,820 pounds. The final rule, however, does not include the 17,820 pound capacity threshold in Table A-3. Some potential reporters have questioned if this omission means that all facilities with electric power equipment must submit an annual report, even if they are below the capacity threshold and are nototherwise required to report under any other provisions of part 98. This interpretation is clearly not the intent of the rule. The regulatory text in the final rule can and should be interpreted to mean that a facility is required to submit an annual report only if the capacity threshold is exceeded. This interpretation is clear from the preamble to the proposal (74 FR 16609) as well as the final rule (75 FR 74774)). However, we are proposing to revise Table A-3 to insert the capacity threshold language of § 98.301 to make the rule clearer and less subject to misinterpretation. Because the test for whether a facility meets the numerical threshold differs depending on the type of facility, we are including a reference to § 98.301. Therefore, we are revising the Table A-3 entry for subpart DD to read as follows: Electrical transmission and distribution use at facilities where the total nameplate capacity of SF 6 and PFC containing equipment exceeds 17,820 pounds, as determined under § 98.301 (subpart DD).
Threshold for Underground Coal Mines. We are proposing to change the threshold for underground coal mines to include only those that have ventilation emissions of 36,500,000 acf of CH 4 or more per year. For a full description of this proposed change, please refer to the relevant discussion under subpart FF of this action.
Computation of Time. EPA is proposing to add a provision to 40 CFR 98.3(b) to allow information, including but not limited to, the annual GHG report and any subsequent re-submissions, the certificate of representation, and requests to use best available monitoring methods, to be submitted to EPA on the next business day in the event that a regulatory deadline falls on a weekend or a Federal holiday. The proposed language is consistent with a similar provision under the Acid Rain Program (40 CFR 72.11) and will provide all reasonable flexibilities for submitting data without compromising data quality.
2012 Reporting Deadline. We are proposing a one-time extension of the 2012 reporting deadline for facilities and suppliers subject to source categories for which data collection began January 1, 2011 (referred to below as the “new 2011 reporting year source categories”).
A deadline extension from March 31, 2012 to September 28, 2012 would apply only to reporting of data elements under the following source categories: Electronics Manufacturing (subpart I), Fluorinated Gas Production (subpart L), Magnesium Production (subpart T), Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems (subpart W), Use of Electric Transmission and Distribution Equipment (subpart DD), Underground Coal Mines (subpart FF), Industrial Wastewater Treatment (subpart II), Imports and Exports of Equipment Pre-charged with Fluorinated GHGs or Containing Fluorinated GHGs in Closed-cell Foams (subpart QQ), Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide (subpart RR), Manufacture of Electric Transmission and Distribution (subpart SS), Industrial Waste Landfills (subpart TT), and Injection of Carbon Dioxide (subpart UU).
All facilities and suppliers subject to the GHGRP, including facilities and suppliers that include the source categories listed above, would still be required to report their GHG information for all other subparts by March 31, 2012. For example, a facility subject to report GHG information under subparts C, W, and PP would still be required to report GHG information for subparts C and PP by March 31, 2012, but would not be required to submit the required data reporting elements under subpart W until September 28, 2012.
We are proposing this change to the 2012 reporting deadline for the new 2011 reporting year source categories in order to allow sufficient time for development, and more importantly stakeholder testing, of the electronic-GHG Reporting Tool (e-GGRT). Stakeholder testing provides an opportunity for EPA to receive feedback from reporters and other interested stakeholders to enable EPA to test the effectiveness of the user interface of e-GGRT, correct any problems in advance of the reporting deadline, and ultimately ensure that the data received under the program are of the highest quality. Stakeholder testing of the electronic reporting tool for the new 2011 reporting year source categories is particularly important given the large number of reporters affected by these new categories (more than one quarter of all reporters are estimated to be required to report under these new subparts).
Based on the discussion above, we are seeking comment on whether a six-month extension of the 2012 reporting deadline for the new 2011 reporting year source categories to September 28, 2012, would be appropriate. Facilities and suppliers subject to the rule would still be required to report all other required data reporting elements by March 31, 2012, but would not report information related to the new 2011 reporting year source categories until September 28, 2012.
Reporting on use of Best Available Monitoring Methods (BAMM). We are proposing to amend 40 CFR 98.3(c)(7) to remove the phrase “according to paragraph (d) of this section” thereby requiring all facilities and suppliers that use BAMM to provide a brief description of each “best available monitoring method” used, the parameter measured using the method, and the time period during which the “best available monitoring method” was used, if applicable. This reporting requirement was applicable to all facilities and suppliers using BAMM in the 2009 final rule. Most of the subparts promulgated in 2010 (subparts T, DD, FF, II, QQ, RR, SS, TT, and UU) directly referred back to the procedures in 40 CFR 98.3(d), and therefore the requirement to report basic information on BAMM is required. Through this amendment, we are clarifying that this basic information must be reported for all subparts, including subparts L (Fluorinated Gas Production) and W (Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems). This does not impact the requirements of subpart I (Electronics Manufacturing), which already directly include this reporting requirement in the data reporting requirements of that subpart.
Blowdown vent stack. We are proposing to amend the definition of blowdown vent stack emissions to add the phrase “emissions from emergency events are not included.” EPA is proposing to make this change to promote better consistency with provisions in subpart C, which exempted emissions from emergency generators and equipment from being included in the GHG emissions calculations.
Supplier. Based on changes made to the rule during 2010, the definition of supplier does not adequately represent the breadth of subparts covered under the rule. EPA is proposing to change the definition of supplier in 40 CFR 98.6 so it specifically refers to those source categories listed in Table A-5 to subpart A of part 98, and is as described in the definition of the source category in the applicable subparts.
The proposed amendment is necessary because suppliers are currently defined as suppliers of fossil fuels and industrial GHGs. However, during 2010, EPA changed the definition of fossil fuels in a rulemaking (75 FR 79092) that could be wronglyinterpreted to exclude some suppliers that are clearly subject to the rule. In the 2009 final rule, fossil fuel was defined in 40 CFR 98.6 as meaning natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material, including for example, consumer products that are derived from such materials and are combusted. Using this definition, suppliers of fossil fuel-based products were covered by subparts MM and NN regardless of the product end-use. This interpretation is clear from the preamble to the 2009 final rule (74 FR 56260). However, in the subsequent rulemaking (75 FR 79092) EPA modified the definition of fossil fuel to read natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material, for purpose of creating useful heat. We were clear in the preamble to that final rule that the change was not intended to have any impact on coverage of GHGs under the GHGRP (see 75 FR 79104). Nevertheless, referring to only suppliers of fossil fuels could now wrongly be interpreted so as to exclude some coverage under subparts MM and NN.
In addition, we added a new source category to the rule called Importers and Exporters of Fluorinated GHGs Contained in Pre-charged Equipment or Closed-cell Foams (subpart QQ, 75 FR 74774). Although one could interpret the existing definition to include suppliers of fluorinated GHGs in bulk and in products, the proposed amendment further clarifies that suppliers include all the relevant source categories included in Table A-5.
We are also proposing a harmonizing change in 40 CFR 98.1(a)(1) to remove the terms “fossil fuel” and “industrial greenhouse gas” before the term “supplier.”