Program Management Branch - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Nevada’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirement for Electrical Generating Units

Action taken by the 2007 Nevada Legislative has resulted in a new requirement that electrical generating power plants in the State must report their greenhouse gas emissions. Affected power generating units must report emissions of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases to an official registry on an annual basis. Affected units are those units that produce electricity for sale, that have a maximum output design capacity of 5 megawatts or greater, and produce greenhouse gases. Units that utilize renewable energy sources are specifically exempted from the reporting requirement.

Nevada has selected The Climate Registry as the official reporting registry. The Climate Registry is a collaborative effort among member states to develop a common greenhouse gas reporting system. Based in California, The Climate Registry aims to provide accurate, complete, consistent, transparent and verified greenhouse gas emissions data from reporters. It is developing reporting protocols as well as independent verification procedures that power plant operators will follow in preparing their emissions report submittals.

NDEP is also preparing a statewide emissions inventory of greenhouse gases released in the State. This inventory will include the origins, types, and amounts of greenhouse gases from all Nevada sources and an analysis of the information collected. NDEP will issue the inventory in a report format by December 31, 2008 and prepare updated inventories at least every four years thereafter.

The emissions inventory along with summary data from the affected electrical power generating units will be made available to the public. Researchers and policy makers can use the greenhouse gas emissions data to study Nevada’s emissions profile and make informed policy decisions to address global climate change.