[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Grumbles' Statement Following EPA's Decision to Require Greenhouse Gas Monitoring, Reporting

Tue Sep 22 14:43:47 MST 2009

PHOENIX (Sept. 22, 2009) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Benjamin H. Grumbles issued the following statement Tuesday
after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will
begin requiring big companies to monitor and report greenhouse gas
emissions:

"The final greenhouse gas reporting rule issued today by EPA provides a
uniform, nationwide reporting system that will cover the sources of 85
percent of U.S. emissions that contribute to climate change, and it will
permit Arizona sources to take credit for reductions they are
undertaking.  Reasonable reporting requirements can help reduce
emissions, reward stewardship, and inform future policy and this rule is
a solid step forward."

"EPA made a number of changes to the rules corresponding to improvements
in flexibility that the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), including
Arizona, had made to its own Essential Reporting Requirements that
increase the level of flexibility for covered sources.  In particular,
EPA made changes similar to the WCI changes which allowed sources to
stop reporting once their emissions fall below the reporting threshold,
and allowed the use of best available monitoring methods in lieu of the
required monitoring methods for January to March 2010 with the
possibility of an extension to the end of 2010.

"ADEQ is also pleased that EPA made changes to the lime industry
reporting requirements by allowing emissions to be reported by facility,
as opposed to by kiln, a change which Arizona and WCI had worked very
hard on with the lime industry in Arizona. EPA also made changes to the
federal rule reducing the number of covered source categories and the
record retention requirements, and allowing exemption of research and
development activities. This last change is a particularly welcome
addition that will give sources the time they need to install, test and
begin operating monitoring equipment required by the rule. 

"ADEQ applauds the establishment of this comprehensive, yet flexible,
program for collecting the data needed to address climate change, and to
provide Arizona business and industry with a mechanism to obtain the
credit they deserve for reducing greenhouse gases."

-30-

"News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
ms15@azdeq.gov."

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