New DEQ Rules Would Add Greenhouse Gas Data To State Paperwork

ENVIRONMENT 

By Rob Manning

Portland, OR  April 1, 2008 5:52 p.m.

Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality proposed rules Tuesday requiring businesses to add greenhouse gas data to paperwork they file with the state.

The rules are tied to a 2007 law setting carbon dioxide reduction targets. DEQ planner, Marianne Fitzgerald says companies that already file air quality permits with the state will be the first to submit greenhouse gas information.

Marianne Fitzgerald: “These are the facilities that would have the larger boilers or other pieces of equipement that would be most likely to emit greenhouse gases. Other kinds are our smaller air contaminant discharge permit sources, and there are about 400 facilities that will have these air-contaminant discharge permits.”

Fitzgerald says that in year two, waste-water treatment plants, landfills, and large power plants would have to file carbon dioxide data, as well.

The public will get a chance to comment on the proposed rules at meetings next month.

Top state officials are also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, through a coordinated system with other states that would cap and trade carbon credits.

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© 2008 OPB