West Virginia GHG Management: What you need to know

Reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:

Mandatory reporting: 40 CFR 98

GHG permitting: West Virginia Regulations (WV Reg.) 45-14-1 to 45-14-26, WV Reg. 45-30, and 40 CFR 70 Appendix A

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Air Quality

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 (EPA) has changed its stance and is initiating actions to monitor and control GHG emissions.

West Virginia passed a statute that prohibits the DEP from developing regulations specifically restricting GHG emissions in order to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. See the national section GHG MANAGEMENT for more information on the Kyoto Protocol. However, the DEP has promulgated regulations for permitting certain sources that emit GHGs.

• Administration and enforcement. DEP's Division of Air Quality administers and enforces permitting requirements.

REPORTING GHG EMISSIONS

Mandatory Reporting

40 CFR 98

The EPA has implemented mandatory GHG reporting requirements for selected source categories. See the national section GHG MANAGEMENT for more information on mandatory GHG reporting.

GHG PERMITTING

WV Reg. 45-14-1 to 45-14-26, WV Reg. 45-30, and 40 CFR 70 Appendix A

West Virginia has established thresholds for GHG emissions above which sources must comply with the requirements ...