Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
Subpart RR – Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
Rule Help Center
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Rule Information
This rule requires reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from facilities that inject carbon dioxide underground for geologic sequestration. Geologic sequestration (GS) is the long-term containment of carbon dioxide in subsurface geologic formations.
This rule is complementary to and builds on EPA's Federal Requirements under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Wells.
Latest Developments
March 1, 2013
EPA proposed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) that affect this subpart. The amendments consist of three parts: Minor Technical Amendments, Amendments Related to Global Warming Potentials (GWPs), and Confidentiality Determinations for new or revised data elements. More information »
December 17, 2012
EPA has evaluated (PDF) (34 pp, 297K) inputs whose reporting deadline was deferred until 2013 following the process that was outlined in the final inputs deferral rule[1], and does not plan to take further action regarding the 2013 inputs. Therefore, inputs to equations whose reporting was deferred until 2013 must be reported to EPA by April 1, 2013[2], for reporting years 2010, 2011, and 2012 as applicable[3]. The 2013 inputs will be reported as part of the RY 2012 reporting process.
More info (PDF) » 3 pp, 48K)
[1] 76 FR 53057 published 8/25/11, p.53061
[2] Because March 31, 2013 falls on a weekend, the deadline is moved to the next business day which is April 1, 2013.
[3] Facilities should have this information for prior years because inputs to equations are required to be kept as recordkeeping (see 40 CFR Part 98.3).
Proposed and Promulgated Rules
| Federal Register Date | Citation | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/02/2013 | 78 FR 19802 | Proposed Rule | Proposal to amend the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), including technical amendments, amendments related to global warming potentials (GWPs), and confidentiality determinations for new or revised data elements. Preamble and Rule (PDF) (77 pp, 911K) Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 52K) Memorandum (PDF) (115 pp, 1M) Correction to Proposed Rule (2 pp, 255K) |
| 08/13/2012 | 77 FR 48072 | Final Rule | Finalizes confidentiality determinations for most data elements to be reported under nine subparts; defers the deadline for reporting certain recently added data elements that are inputs to emission equations in three subparts; finalizes amendments to Electronics Manufacturing (subpart I) to remove the requirement for a facility to recalculate the previous reporting years’ emissions and resubmit them to EPA where use of BAMM is allowed. Preamble and Rule (PDF) (88 pp, 287K) Fact Sheet: Final Confidentiality Determinations for Nine Subparts and Amendments to Subparts A and I (PDF) (3 pp, 44K) More information |
| 01/10/2012 | 77 FR 1434 | Proposed Rule | Proposes confidentiality determinations for 8 subparts (L, DD, II, QQ, RR, SS, TT, UU) and amendments to Table A-6 in subpart A Preamble and Rule (PDF) (19 pp, 230K) More information |
| 11/29/2011 | 76 FR 73866 | Final Rule | 2011 Technical Corrections, Clarifying and Other Amendments. Final Rule (PDF) (25 pp, 341K) More information |
| 08/04/2011 | 76 FR 47392 | Proposed Rule | Proposed Rulemaking – 2011 Technical Corrections, Clarifying and Other Amendments to Certain Provisions of the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Proposed Rule (PDF) (30 pp, 427K) |
| 12/01/2010 | 75 FR 75060 | Final Rule | Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases from Carbon Dioxide Injection and Geologic Sequestration Preamble and Rule (PDF) (31 pp, 340K) |
| 04/12/2010 | 75 FR 18576 | Proposed Rule | Proposed Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases from Carbon Dioxide Injection and Geologic Sequestration Preamble and Rule (PDF) (31 pp, 280K) |
Technical Information
- Proposed Confidentiality Determinations Factsheet (PDF) (2 pp, 50K)
- Press Release (11/22/2010)
- Factsheet (PDF) (3 pp, 43K)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (4 pp, 52K)
- PowerPoint Briefing (PDF) (7 pp, 45K)
- Response to Comments (PDF) (200 pp, 1.5M)
- General Technical Support Document (PDF) (98 pp, 1.2M)
- Economic Impact Analysis (PDF) (80 pp, 510K)
Implementation Information
- Information Sheet (PDF) (4 pp, 51K)
Deadlines for 2011 reporting year
If you are subject to Subpart RR and were issued a final Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit (any class) on or before December 31, 2010:
- Certificate of Representation is due by May 1, 2011
- Proposed Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) plan (or extension request) or Research and Development (R&D) project exemption request is due by June 30, 2011
If you are subject to Subpart RR and were issued a final UIC permit (any class) on or after January 1, 2011:
- Certificate of Representation is due 60 days prior to submission of a proposed MRV plan (or extension request) or R&D exemption request
- Proposed MRV plan (or extension request) or R&D project exemption request is due within 180 days of receiving your final UIC permit
Subpart RR Final Decisions
Under subpart RR, EPA must approve all geologic sequestration monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) plans, requests for a research and development exemption, and requests to discontinue reporting. Any interested person can formally appeal any of these decisions. More Information (PDF) (2 pp, 37K).
Posted below are final decisions under 40 CFR Part 98, Subpart RR. If you have questions or would like a copy of any available actual, signed and dated final decision, please send an email to gsreporting@epa.gov or contact the Help Center.
Final Decisions
| Project Name | Type | Date of Final Decision* | Final Decision Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| SECARB Phase III Anthropogenic Test | R&D project exemption request | June 29, 2012 | Decision (PDF) (10 pp, 1.6M) |
| Archer Daniels Midland Company Midwest Geologic Sequestration Consortium Project |
R&D project exemption request | October 12, 2011 | Decision (PDF) (6 pp, 464K) |
| Boise White Paper LLC Wallula Basalt Carbon Dioxide Pilot Study | R&D project exemption request | August 12, 2011 | Decision (PDF) (3 pp, 340K) |
| American Electric Power's Mountaineer Plant project | R&D project exemption request | July 29, 2011 | Decision (PDF) (4 pp, 110K) |
* See 40 CFR Part 78 for appeals procedures, including the requirement that appeals must be made within 30 days after EPA has issued its decision.
This information is provided by EPA solely for informational purposes. It does not provide legal advice, have legally binding effect, or expressly or implicitly create, expand, or limit any legal rights, obligations, responsibilities, expectations, or benefits in regard to any person.