Massachusetts GHG Management: What you need to know

Reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:

Mandatory reporting: Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 21N, Section 2(a), 310 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 7.70, 310 CMR 7.71, and 40 CFR 98

Voluntary reporting: MGL Chapter 21N, Section 2(a)

GHG reduction targets: MGL Chapter 21N, Section 3 and MGL Chapter 21N, Section 4(a)

Climate Action Plan (CAP): MGL Chapter 21N, Section 4

Vehicle GHG emissions: 310 CMR 7.40

Environmental impact statements: 301 CMR 11.01 to 11.17

Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS): 310 CMR 7.72

Climate Protection and Green Economy Act: MGL Chapter 21N, Section 3; MGL Chapter 21N, Section 4(h), and MGL Chapter 21N, Section 5

Regional programs:

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) cap-and-trade programs: 310 CMR 7.29, 310 CMR 7.70, and 225 CMR 13.01 to 13.14

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Waste Prevention

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA)

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. Before 2009, little action was taken at the federal level, beyond voluntary initiatives, to implement greenhouse gas (GHG) management strategies ensuring that GHG emissions are accounted for and controlled. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has changed its stance and is initiating actions to monitor and control GHG emissions.

Massachusetts has developed statutes and regulations to address GHG emissions in order to meet state-established GHG emissions reduction targets. In addition, the state is working with other states to implement regional programs to monitor and control GHG emissions.

• Administration and enforcement.