Yesterday, Ontario's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
Regulation took effect. The first reporting period begins January
1, 2010, and the new regulation requires between 200 and 300
facilities (such as electricity generators, steel manufacturers,
petroleum refiners and general stationary combustion sources)
emitting 25,000 tonnes or more per year of carbon dioxide
equivalent (CO2e) to report 2010 emissions in the year 2011 and
annually thereafter. Best alternative quantification methods may be
used for 2010 emissions. Standardized quantification mandatory
methods (with third party verification in accordance with ISO
requirements) are required thereafter. The regulation is intended
to obtain accurate emissions data to inform the development of
Ontario's proposed cap-and-trade system.
Ontario's reporting threshold is more onerous than the current
federal or Alberta requirements but aligns with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's mandatory GHG reporting
threshold of 25,000 tonnes of CO2e. However, unlike the U.S.
approach, Ontario does not currently regulate fuel suppliers.
To maximize carbon trading opportunities and minimize the risk of
future border measures, Ontario has pledged to work with the
federal government and other provinces to harmonize Canada's
carbon regime with the emerging U.S. carbon regime. Canada's
revised federal climate change plan is still expected to be
released before the UN climate change conference starts in
Copenhagen next week.
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