DEQ Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal rule requires facilities emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2 equivalent per year to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA?
- Clean Air Act Title V Program
- Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) (Correct answer)
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards
- Emission Trading Scheme
Correct answer: Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)
The EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) mandates annual GHG reporting from large emitters of 25,000 metric tons CO2e or more.
Question 2: Which of the following gases is NOT classified as a greenhouse gas regulated under the Clean Air Act?
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
- Nitrogen (N2) (Correct answer)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Correct answer: Nitrogen (N2)
Nitrogen (N2) makes up ~78% of the atmosphere and is not a greenhouse gas; it does not trap heat radiation.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) in the context of greenhouse gas and climate regulations?
- To fund renewable energy projects
- To outline how a state will achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Correct answer)
- To establish carbon credit markets
- To regulate interstate transport of hazardous waste
Correct answer: To outline how a state will achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards
A SIP details how each state plans to attain and maintain NAAQS, serving as the state's regulatory roadmap submitted to the EPA.
Question 4: The global warming potential (GWP) of a greenhouse gas is measured relative to which reference gas?
- Methane (CH4)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (Correct answer)
- Water Vapor (H2O)
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Correct answer: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
GWP is always measured relative to CO2, which is assigned a GWP of 1 over a 100-year time horizon.
Question 5: Which DEQ program addresses stationary source emissions of greenhouse gases through permit requirements under the Clean Air Act?
- Title V Operating Permits (Correct answer)
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D
- Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control
Correct answer: Title V Operating Permits
Title V Operating Permits under the Clean Air Act are the primary permitting mechanism that can include GHG emission conditions for large stationary sources.
Question 6: What does 'CO2 equivalent' (CO2e) mean when reporting greenhouse gas emissions?
- The total weight of all gases emitted combined
- A standardized unit comparing the climate impact of different GHGs relative to CO2 (Correct answer)
- The amount of CO2 absorbed by vegetation on site
- The ratio of CO2 to oxygen produced during combustion
Correct answer: A standardized unit comparing the climate impact of different GHGs relative to CO2
CO2e converts emissions of various GHGs into a single comparable unit by multiplying each gas's mass by its global warming potential relative to CO2.
Question 7: Under the Clean Air Act, which type of permit is required when a new major source or major modification of an existing source could significantly increase GHG emissions in an attainment area?
- Emergency Operating Permit
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit (Correct answer)
- General NPDES Permit
- Variance Authorization
Correct answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit
PSD permits are required for new major sources or major modifications in attainment areas and include a Best Available Control Technology (BACT) review for GHGs.
DEQ Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulations 1
Which federal rule requires facilities emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2 equivalent per year to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA?