Technical Programs - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Nevada’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirement and Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory

In 2007, the Nevada State Environmental Commission adopted regulations requiring certain electrical generating facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions. Affected units within these facilities are those with power output of greater than 5 megawatts which generate electricity for sale and emit at least one of the six listed gases:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
  
• Hydrofluorocarbons
  
• Methane (CH4)
  
• Nitrous oxide (NO2)
  
• Perfluorocarbons
  
• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
  

Emissions are reported under State oversight to a greenhouse gas emissions registry on an annual basis. Power generation units that use renewable energy are exempt from reporting. The regulations include provisions for the voluntary reporting of greenhouse gases by any person or facility who does not own an affected unit.

A related but separate aspect of the program requires the development of a statewide emissions inventory of the six listed greenhouse gases. Beginning in 2008 and every four years thereafter, NDEP will issue an inventory of the emission sources, the types of gases emitted and the amounts of gas emitted. The inventory includes all greenhouse gas sources in Nevada and will include an analysis of the information and documentation of the data sources utilized to complete the inventory.

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Nevada’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirement for Electrical Generating Units

Action taken by the 2007 Nevada Legislative has resulted in a new requirement that electrical generating power plants in the State must report their greenhouse gas emissions. Affected power generating units must report emissions of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases to an official registry on an annual basis. Affected units are those units that produce electricity for sale, that have a maximum output design capacity of 5 megawatts or greater, and produce greenhouse gases. Units that utilize renewable energy sources are specifically exempted from the reporting requirement.

Nevada has selected The Climate Registry as the official reporting registry. The Climate Registry is a collaborative effort among member states to develop a common greenhouse gas reporting system. Based in California, The Climate Registry aims to provide accurate, complete, consistent, transparent and verified greenhouse gas emissions data from reporters. It is developing reporting protocols as well as independent verification procedures that power plant operators will follow in preparing their emissions report submittals.

NDEP is also preparing a statewide emissions inventory of greenhouse gases released in the State. This inventory will include the origins, types, and amounts of greenhouse gases from all Nevada sources and an analysis of the information collected. NDEP will issue the inventory in a report format by December 31, 2008 and prepare updated inventories at least every four years thereafter.

The emissions inventory along with summary data from the affected electrical power generating units will be made available to the public. Researchers and policy makers can use the greenhouse gas emissions data to study Nevada’s emissions profile and make informed policy decisions to address global climate change.