DEQ Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulations 3

Question 1

What is a 'carbon offset' in the context of state DEQ greenhouse gas programs?

Accepted Answer

A credit representing a verified reduction or removal of one metric ton of CO2e from the atmosphere

Answer

A carbon offset represents a verified, quantified, and permanent reduction or sequestration of one metric ton of CO2e, which can be used to compensate for emissions elsewhere.

Question 2

State DEQ agencies often require facility GHG emission inventories to use which standard methodology for quantifying emissions?

Accepted Answer

EPA's Mandatory Reporting Rule calculation methodologies

Answer

EPA's Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (40 CFR Part 98) provides standardized calculation methodologies that most state DEQs adopt for consistency and comparability.

Question 3

Which concept refers to determining whether a facility's GHG emissions are genuinely reduced versus simply shifted to another location or source?

Accepted Answer

Carbon leakage

Answer

Carbon leakage occurs when GHG emission reductions in one area cause increased emissions elsewhere, undermining the net climate benefit.

Question 4

Under the Clean Air Act, what threshold triggers Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) review for greenhouse gas emissions from a new major source?

Accepted Answer

75,000 tons per year CO2e

Answer

EPA's Tailoring Rule set 75,000 tons per year CO2e as the significance threshold for modifications at existing major sources triggering PSD GHG review.

Question 5

What role do state DEQ agencies play in implementing the EPA's Clean Power Plan or its successor rules for power plant GHG reductions?

Accepted Answer

States develop their own plans (SIPs/EGs) to meet federal emission guidelines for power plants

Answer

Federal emission guidelines for existing power plants set performance standards that states must meet by developing and submitting State Plans or Emission Guidelines to the EPA.

DEQ - Department of Environmental Quality Practice Test

DEQ - Department of Environmental Quality Practice Test

DEQ Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulations 3