The ESC RGGI Summary Document

RGGI Program

RGGI stands for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It is the first mandatory cap-and-trade program in the United States for reducing CO2 emissions. Sources subject to RGGI are required to report quarterly using the Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan Systems (ECMPS) beginning in 2009.

Sources Subject to RGGI

RGGI is a cooperative effort among the following 10 northeastern and mid-Atlantic states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Fossil fuel-fired electric power plants with 25 megawatts or greater in size are subject to RGGI if located in any of the 10 above-mentioned states. The definition of “fossil fuel-fired” under RGGI varies depending on when a unit commences operation. For units commencing operation before January 1, 2005, the definition of fossil fuel-fired is met if fossil fuel makes up >50% of total heat input (same as Acid Rain Program or ARP). For units commencing operation on or after January 1, 2005, a unit is considered fossil fuel-fired if fossil fuel makes up >5% of total heat input. Approximately 225 facilities are affected region-wide.

There are three categories of sources that are subject to RGGI. Category 1 sources are those that are also subject to the ARP. Category 2 sources are those that are not in the ARP, but are subject to the requirements of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). Category 3 sources are those that are not subject to either the ARP or CAIR.

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

Affected RGGI sources must monitor and report CO2 mass emissions (daily mass or hourly mass rate) along with hourly heat input according to the requirements detailed in Table I.  The RGGI sources located in Maine, Maryland and Delaware have the option of using Eq. G-1 to report daily mass (tons/day) in lieu of hourly mass rate (tons/hr).  Electronic Data Reports (EDRs) must be submitted in XML format using the latest ECMPS software available.

Note: Before any required XML EDR submittals are made concerning a RGGI source, the owner or operator must select and assign a RGGI Designated Representative (DR) for each affected unit. The DR for the Acid Rain Program, CAIR and RGGI must be the same person. He or she must be registered with the CAMD Business System (CBS). For assistance, please contact Laurel DeSantis, at desantis.laurel@epa.gov, or at 202.343.9191.