Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/18/10

The Environmental Protection Agency late last week announced a final rule to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest stationary sources, while shielding small sources of GHGs from Clean Air Act permitting requirements.

Starting in July 2011, Clean Air Act permitting requirements will expand to cover all new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tons per year and modifications at existing facilities that would increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tons per year.

When EPA began work on the rules last fall, it had indicated facilities with emissions of 25,000 tons per year could be subject to the rules.

"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 Jackson in a news release.

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