Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Changes to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation (O. Reg. 452/09) and Guideline
Regulation Number(s):
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Environmental Protection Act
Summary of Decision:
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change filed amendments to the Greenhouse GasEmissions Reporting Regulation (O.Reg. 452/09) in December 2015 that will come into force on January 1, 2016 (see attached regulation). The amended Guideline is published as part of thisdecision (see link). The amendments include:
-Lowering the reporting threshold to 10,000 tonnes CO2e from the current threshold of 25,000tonnes per year, while maintaining the requirement to have emissions greater than 25,000 tonnes per year third party verified.
-Dividing the emission sources into those that only need to report and those that require third party verification.
-Clarification on verification to allow for the use of qualified positive, in addition to positive and adverse verification statements.
-Adding petroleum product suppliers and natural gas distributors to the reporting regulation starting in 2016, to support the implementation of a cap and trade program.
Adding other sources to the reporting regulation including:
o Equipment used for natural gas transmission, distribution and storage,
o Electricity imports,
o Electricity transmission and distribution,
o Magnesium production, and
o Mobile equipment at facilities (optional reporting only).
As a result of the consultation, the Ministry has made the following additional changes to theproposed amendments to the guideline under EBR Registry Number 012-4549:
-Classify natural gas transmissions and distribution fugitive emissions as reporting only; and
-Make reporting of mobile emissions optional.
-Lowering the reporting threshold to 10,000 tonnes CO2e from the current threshold of 25,000tonnes per year, while maintaining the requirement to have emissions greater than 25,000 tonnes per year third party verified.
-Dividing the emission sources into those that only need to report and those that require third party verification.
-Clarification on verification to allow for the use of qualified positive, in addition to positive and adverse verification statements.
-Adding petroleum product suppliers and natural gas distributors to the reporting regulation starting in 2016, to support the implementation of a cap and trade program.
Adding other sources to the reporting regulation including:
o Equipment used for natural gas transmission, distribution and storage,
o Electricity imports,
o Electricity transmission and distribution,
o Magnesium production, and
o Mobile equipment at facilities (optional reporting only).
As a result of the consultation, the Ministry has made the following additional changes to theproposed amendments to the guideline under EBR Registry Number 012-4549:
-Classify natural gas transmissions and distribution fugitive emissions as reporting only; and
-Make reporting of mobile emissions optional.
Further Information:
EBR Decision Notice
Proposal Number:
15-MOE014
Posting Date:
September 14, 2015
Summary of Proposal:
Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time requiring strong, collective action toensure Ontario can achieve deep greenhouse gas reductions while fostering a strong, prosperouslow-carbon economy. Ontario is proposing to amend its greenhouse gas emissions reportingregulation to support a future cap and trade program.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change seeks comments on proposed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation (O.Reg. 452/09) and the Guideline for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting, including:
- Lowering the reporting threshold to 10,000 tonnes CO2e from the current threshold of 25,000 tonnes per year, while maintaining the requirement to have emissions greater than 25,000 tonnes per year third party verified
- Divide the emission sources into those that are reporting only and those that require third party verification
- Add petroleum product suppliers and natural gas distributors to the reporting regulation starting in 2016, to support the implementation of a cap and trade program
- Add other sources to the reporting regulation including:
o Equipment used for natural gas transmission, distribution and storage,
o Electricity imports,
o Electricity transmission and distribution,
o Magnesium production, and
o Mobile equipment at facilities.
Technical changes to the calculation methods are also proposed, to align with Quebec and California on missing data, analysis methods, and reporting of production data (to support cap and trade). These changes include several changes proposed under EBR Registry Number 012-2618, including:
- Clarification on verification to allow for the use of positive, qualified positive and adverse verification statements
- Changes to the guideline to remain consistent with requirements in other provinces
- Streamline director approvals in the Guideline.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change seeks comments on proposed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation (O.Reg. 452/09) and the Guideline for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting, including:
- Lowering the reporting threshold to 10,000 tonnes CO2e from the current threshold of 25,000 tonnes per year, while maintaining the requirement to have emissions greater than 25,000 tonnes per year third party verified
- Divide the emission sources into those that are reporting only and those that require third party verification
- Add petroleum product suppliers and natural gas distributors to the reporting regulation starting in 2016, to support the implementation of a cap and trade program
- Add other sources to the reporting regulation including:
o Equipment used for natural gas transmission, distribution and storage,
o Electricity imports,
o Electricity transmission and distribution,
o Magnesium production, and
o Mobile equipment at facilities.
Technical changes to the calculation methods are also proposed, to align with Quebec and California on missing data, analysis methods, and reporting of production data (to support cap and trade). These changes include several changes proposed under EBR Registry Number 012-2618, including:
- Clarification on verification to allow for the use of positive, qualified positive and adverse verification statements
- Changes to the guideline to remain consistent with requirements in other provinces
- Streamline director approvals in the Guideline.
Contact Address:
Contact:
Eric Loi
Senior Engineer
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Climate Change and Environmental Policy Division
Air Policy Instruments and Programs Design Branch
77 Wellesley Street West
Floor 10
Ferguson Block
Toronto Ontario
M7A2T5
Phone: (416) 314-1700
Eric Loi
Senior Engineer
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Climate Change and Environmental Policy Division
Air Policy Instruments and Programs Design Branch
77 Wellesley Street West
Floor 10
Ferguson Block
Toronto Ontario
M7A2T5
Phone: (416) 314-1700
Effective Date:
January 1, 2016
Decision:
Approved