The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its rule to extend the deadline for reporting 2010 emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to September 30, 2011. (Reports had been due by the end of this month.)
Those facilities required to report their GHG emissions must first register with the EPA’s electronic greenhouse gas reporting tool (“e-GGRT”). Registration will now be due 60 days prior to the reporting deadline, or by August 1.
For information on the GHG reporting requirements, visit www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html. The e-GGRT reporting tool can be accessed at ghgreporting.epa.gov/ghg/login.do. And come back to this site soon for upcoming posts on GHG rules.
A flurry of protests followed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s notice on August 24 that it would accept comments on a petition requesting that it ban lead in bullets and shot, as well as in fishing tackle (e.g., lead sinkers). As quickly as the clamor rose, it subsided, when EPA today denied the part of the petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. The EPA letter explaining its denial can be found at 
Drilling, production or workover facilities that are offshore or onshore facilities required to have and submit facility response plans (FRPs) will not be eligible for the proposed extension, and must prepare or update their SPCC Plans in accordance with the rule amendments by November 10 of this year. Other facilities, including onshore oil production facilities, farms, utilities, various manufacturers, petroleum bulk storage and retail, transportation and commercial operations may put off their plan and facility updates until November 10, 2011. 
Starting in January 2011, Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will apply to large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air Act permits for other pollutants. Those facilities will be required to include GHGs in their permit if they increase their GHG emissions by 75,000 tons per year (tpy). In July 2011, permitting requirements will expand to cover all new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tpy and modifications at existing facilities that would increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy. The permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies to minimize GHG emission increases when facilities are constructed or significantly modified. EPA estimates approximately 900 additional permitting actions covering new sources and modifications to existing sources would be subject to review each year. In addition, 550 sources will need to obtain operating permits for the first time because of their GHG emissions.