In response to a Feb. 19 letter submitted to her by eight U.S. senators, U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has released details of modifications the agency expects to make to two controversial proposed rules that will impact industrial sources of GHG emissions.
In a letter sent by Jackson to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., the administrator said she does not expect to require stationary sources of GHG emissions to obtain Clean Air Act permits until 2011. This modification will provide both industry and administrative officials a nearly one-year extension to prepare for implementation of the rule as compared with the initial proposal. The agency’s proposed Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule expected all GHG emitters to begin complying with permitting requirements in March. Additionally, Jackson stated in her letter that the EPA now plans to phase in permit requirements and regulation of GHGs for large emitters. Only those facilities that already apply for CAA permits as a result of other emissions will need to apply for GHG emissions permits during the first half of 2011. The remaining “large sources” will be required to begin acquiring GHG emission permits during the second half of the year.