The Emissions Banking and Trading rules in 30 TAC Sections 101.302 and 101.372 specify that stationary sources in nonattainment areas must have state implementation plan (SIP) emissions to be eligible to generate emission credits. SIP emissions are the state's emissions inventory (EI) data from the year that was used to develop the projection-base year inventory for the modeling included in the most recent attainment demonstration (AD) SIP revision. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is preparing an AD SIP revision for the HGB 2008 eight-hour ozone nonattainment area, which includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties. If this HGB AD SIP revision is adopted, SIP emissions for credit generation projects will be:
- the state’s 2015 EI data for electric generating units with emissions recorded in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 Air Markets Program Data (EGUs), and
- the 2014 EI data for all other stationary point sources (non-EGUs).
Revisions to previously submitted 2014 non-EGU EIs and 2015 EGU EIs for sources in the HGB ozone nonattainment area must be submitted to the TCEQ by August 1, 2016 to ensure necessary changes are accounted for in the new HGB AD SIP modeling.
Please note: This is not an additional opportunity to comply with EI reporting. HGB inventories not received by the original deadline are subject to enforcement and may not be processed or included in the upcoming HGB AD SIP revision at this time. Similarly, inventories for HGB sites that do not meet the reporting requirements of 30 TAC Section 101.10 may not be processed at this time.
The TCEQ will review 2014 (non-EGUs) and 2015 (EGUs) EI revisions for adherence to EI guidance available at the TCEQ point source EI Web page. Revisions must be prepared, certified, and submitted on paper EI forms with supporting documentation according to the revision guidance. The information required by this guidance, including a detailed explanation of the changes, supporting documentation, and sample calculations, must be included with the revised emissions inventory pages.
The TCEQ will review revisions that are submitted by August 1, 2016. Upon concurrence with the revised information, the emissions inventory for the AD SIP will be adjusted. Once the AD SIP revision is adopted by the TCEQ commissioners, emissions for credit generation will be based on the approved revision. Inventory revisions submitted after August 1, 2016, will be processed, but the SIP emissions for credit generation may not reflect the change.
For questions, contact Danielle Nesvacil at danielle.nesvacil@tceq.texas.gov or 512-239-2102