United States federal register of greenhouse gas emissions
Encyclopedia
The United States federal register of greenhouse gas emissions is established by the United States Department of Energy
under the Energy Policy Act
1992. It is administered by the Energy Information Administration
through the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program.
Separately, the Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 commenced implementing a mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which applies to facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year.
, it has still made significant progress in establishing the ground work to one day having a viable working model that will meet the needs of a market driven cap and trade system for the accounting and valuation of carbon credits.
The key to such a system is a transparent and easy to understand protocol that includes establishing common standardized accounting practices that can be consistently applied in a verifiable manner. These best practices must be open and easy to apply in a cost effective manner in order to become accepted. These protocols will need to include not only accounting and reporting requirements, but also quantification standards and verification procedures.
Right now the leaders in the establishing of these protocols are a varied and diverse group of organizations. We have attempted to review the compliance procedures of these various groups.
As The United States moves forward with its own plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it may move from the current voluntary reporting model to regulatory limits and a market mechanism to promote reductions. In the meantime numerous states have started the process of setting their own emission goals, many of which include specific regulatory requirements.
(EPACT) directs the Department of Energy, with the Energy Information Administration (EIA), to establish a voluntary reporting program and database on emissions of greenhouse gases, reductions of these gases, and carbon sequestration activities (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)). Section 1605(b) requires that DOE's guidelines provide for the "accurate" and "voluntary" reporting of information on: (1) greenhouse gas
emission levels for a baseline period (1987–1990) and thereafter, annually; (2) greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon sequestration, regardless of the specific method used to achieve them; (3) greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved because of voluntary efforts, plant closings, or state or federal requirements; and (4) the aggregate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions by each reporting entity (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)(1)(A)-(D)). Section 1605(b) contemplates a program whereby voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be recorded, with the specific purpose that this record can be used "by the reporting entity to demonstrate achieved reductions of greenhouse gases" (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)(4)).
directed the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture
(USDA) to revise the system for reporting and registering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (United States Department of Energy, 2005). The reporting program was originally authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 Section 1605(b) and is often referred to as the “1605(b) program.”
Because of concerns with the growing threat of global climate change from increasing emissions of greenhouse gases, Congress authorized a voluntary program for the public to report achievements reducing those gases. This document offers guidance on recording historic and current greenhouse gas emissions, emissions reductions, and carbon sequestration. Under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 Section 1605(b) program, reporters will have the opportunity to highlight specific achievements.
If you have taken actions to lessen the greenhouse gas effect, either by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions or by sequestering carbon, the Department of Energy (DOE) encourages you to report your achievements under this program. The program has two related, but distinct parts. First, the program offers you an opportunity to report your annual emissions of greenhouse gases. Second, the program records your specific projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Although participants in the program are strongly encouraged to submit reports on both, reports on either annual emissions or emissions reductions and carbon sequestration projects will be accepted.
These guidelines and the supporting technical documents outline the rationale for the program and approaches to analyzing emissions and emissions reduction projects. Annual emissions and emissions reductions achievements are reported to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the Department of Energy.
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
under the Energy Policy Act
Energy Policy Act of 1992
The Energy Policy Act is a United States government act.It was passed by Congress and addressed energy efficiency, energy conservation and energy management , natural gas imports and exports , alternative fuels and requiring certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles, which are capable of...
1992. It is administered by the Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and...
through the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program.
Separately, the Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 commenced implementing a mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which applies to facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year.
Necessity
Even though the United States has not adopted the requirements of the Kyoto ProtocolKyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
, it has still made significant progress in establishing the ground work to one day having a viable working model that will meet the needs of a market driven cap and trade system for the accounting and valuation of carbon credits.
The key to such a system is a transparent and easy to understand protocol that includes establishing common standardized accounting practices that can be consistently applied in a verifiable manner. These best practices must be open and easy to apply in a cost effective manner in order to become accepted. These protocols will need to include not only accounting and reporting requirements, but also quantification standards and verification procedures.
Right now the leaders in the establishing of these protocols are a varied and diverse group of organizations. We have attempted to review the compliance procedures of these various groups.
As The United States moves forward with its own plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it may move from the current voluntary reporting model to regulatory limits and a market mechanism to promote reductions. In the meantime numerous states have started the process of setting their own emission goals, many of which include specific regulatory requirements.
Background
Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992Energy Policy Act of 1992
The Energy Policy Act is a United States government act.It was passed by Congress and addressed energy efficiency, energy conservation and energy management , natural gas imports and exports , alternative fuels and requiring certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles, which are capable of...
(EPACT) directs the Department of Energy, with the Energy Information Administration (EIA), to establish a voluntary reporting program and database on emissions of greenhouse gases, reductions of these gases, and carbon sequestration activities (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)). Section 1605(b) requires that DOE's guidelines provide for the "accurate" and "voluntary" reporting of information on: (1) greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emission levels for a baseline period (1987–1990) and thereafter, annually; (2) greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon sequestration, regardless of the specific method used to achieve them; (3) greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved because of voluntary efforts, plant closings, or state or federal requirements; and (4) the aggregate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions by each reporting entity (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)(1)(A)-(D)). Section 1605(b) contemplates a program whereby voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be recorded, with the specific purpose that this record can be used "by the reporting entity to demonstrate achieved reductions of greenhouse gases" (42 U.S.C. 13385(b)(4)).
1605B Voluntary Reporting
In 2002 the President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
directed the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture
(USDA) to revise the system for reporting and registering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (United States Department of Energy, 2005). The reporting program was originally authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 Section 1605(b) and is often referred to as the “1605(b) program.”
Because of concerns with the growing threat of global climate change from increasing emissions of greenhouse gases, Congress authorized a voluntary program for the public to report achievements reducing those gases. This document offers guidance on recording historic and current greenhouse gas emissions, emissions reductions, and carbon sequestration. Under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 Section 1605(b) program, reporters will have the opportunity to highlight specific achievements.
If you have taken actions to lessen the greenhouse gas effect, either by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions or by sequestering carbon, the Department of Energy (DOE) encourages you to report your achievements under this program. The program has two related, but distinct parts. First, the program offers you an opportunity to report your annual emissions of greenhouse gases. Second, the program records your specific projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Although participants in the program are strongly encouraged to submit reports on both, reports on either annual emissions or emissions reductions and carbon sequestration projects will be accepted.
These guidelines and the supporting technical documents outline the rationale for the program and approaches to analyzing emissions and emissions reduction projects. Annual emissions and emissions reductions achievements are reported to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the Department of Energy.
See also
- Climate change in the United StatesClimate change in the United StatesThere is an international interest in issues surrounding global warming in the United States due to the U.S. position in world affairs and the U.S.'s high level of greenhouse gas emissions per capita.-Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States:...
- The Climate RegistryThe Climate RegistryThe Climate Registry is a nonprofit collaboration between North American states, provinces, territories, and Native Sovereign Nations to record and track the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses, municipalities and other organisations...
- Regional Greenhouse Gas InitiativeRegional Greenhouse Gas InitiativeRegional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a regional initiative by states and provinces in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions...
- Western Regional Climate Action Initiative
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeIntergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...