The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on May 13 that its final Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule will require only the largest new and modified sources of greenhouse gases to control emissions. During the first half of 2011, the rule limits the application of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) requirements to sources that already must comply with its requirements for other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides or particulate matter. These facilities will be required to include greenhouse gas emissions in their PSD permit if they increase those emissions by 75,000 tons per year.
Beginning in July 2011, the rule will apply PSD requirements to new sources that emit more than 100,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide-equivalent and to modified sources that emit more than 75,000 tons per year.
Under the Clean Air Act, PSD requires new and modified major air pollution sources to limit emissions using best available control technology. PSD requirements were triggered when EPA issued greenhouse gas emissions limits for cars and light trucks March 31.
"After extensive study, debate and hundreds of thousands of public comments, EPA has set common-sense thresholds for greenhouse gases that will spark clean technology innovation and protect small businesses and farms," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
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