U.S. Takes Major Step Towards Carbon Reporting
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 69 | Word Count: 472
A carbon reporting plan has been proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, that requires industries to send in reports which detail their greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA has found that harmful chemicals play a significant role in climate change. The annual report required serves as a step towards regulation and the eventual reduction of greenhouse gases.
The U.S. governments carbon reporting proposal would impact the chemical, auto, fossil fuel and steel industries, as well as any company that emits 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases a year. This could include many facilities, manufacturing plants and warehouses that have refrigerant gas running through their refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems and heating, ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Carbon reporting is aimed at addressing the massive amount of pollutants emitted by certain industries. The depletion of the ozone layer and the beginning affects of global warming on the environment are attributed to greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these emissions are caused by manmade chemicals used in certain processes and systems, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These emissions have taken a toll on the environment over the years.
Under the EPAs carbon reporting proposal, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, among them hydrofluorocarbons, methane, perfluorocarbons, nitrous oxide and sulfur hexafluoride, must be tracked so the federal agency can determine how much of these chemicals are discharged into the environment each year. This type of reporting has become a global effort, with similar treaties established in other foreign countries.
The United States Congress, complementing the carbon reporting plan, has improved funding to establish a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Registry by June of 2009. This is additional to the Climate Registry for calculating carbon released into the atmosphere. The majority of states in the US already participate in the Climate Registry.
Carbon reporting is a multifaceted process that requires an account of daily use of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases companywide. The equation also has to project the potential for greenhouse gas emissions and include the actual identification of carbon emissions caused by a leak or faulty operation.
Up to 13,000 facilities fall under the carbon reporting protocol, as estimated by the EPA. These facilities account for up to 90% of greenhouse gas emissions in that country. Many suggest that for facilities with refrigeration and air-conditioning systems or heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, a refrigerant management program is best. Such a program would handle the sometimes tedious process of tracking and reporting emissions of greenhouse gas.
Many industries see refrigerant tracking software as the solution to handle the complex requirements set forth by the carbon reporting initiative. The EPA expects this initiative to take effect in 2010, with reports on an annual basis in 2011. Tracking software provides reports which are complete and accurate and can be submitted on time.
About the Author
Daniel Stouffer has much more information on the importance of carbon reportingand how the refrigerant-tracker will aid you.
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