Oregon DEQ: Greenhouse Gas Advisory Committee

The Oregon greenhouse gas reporting advisory committee was established to help DEQ develop Oregon's gas reporting rules. The Environmental Quality Commission adopted the initial rules in 2008 and revised the rules in 2010 to expand the number and types of facilities and operations required to report greenhouse gas emissions to DEQ. DEQ developed the rulemaking proposal based on recommendations from the adisory committee. This page provides information about the committee and the 2010 rulemaking. For information about program implementation, see the Greenhouse Gas Reporting home page.

2010 Rulemaking

The rules adopted in 2010 created annual registration and reporting requirements for electricity suppliers and fuel distributors as authorized by Senate Bill 38 (2009). In addition, the rules established fees for reporting that hold air quality permits with DEQ as authorized by Senate Bill 103 (2009). The rules expanded DEQ discretion on circumstances it can defer or exempt facilities from reporting. For example, some emission categories may lack adequate protocols to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. The rules also harmonized DEQ's requirements with the federal greenhouse gas reporting program to avoid redundant requirements and assure consistency in reporting for facilities subject to both the state and federal programs.

The Environmental Quality Commission adopted the rules at the Oct. 20-22, 2010 commission meeting. DEQ's report to the commission included a summary of comments received about the rulemaking and DEQ's responses. The report is available online at item Q of the meeting agenda.

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Background and Purpose

The 2009 Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 38, authorizing the commission to create reporting requirements for electricity suppliers and fuel distributors. These new reporting requirements provide DEQ with more comprehensive data about Oregon’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2009 Legislature also passed Senate Bill 103, authorizing the commission to create fees to fund the program. The commission created fees for facilities subject to the existing reporting rules established in 2008; however, it lacks authority to create fees for the two emission categories added by Senate Bill 38.

DEQ reconvened the Oregon greenhouse gas reporting advisory committee in 2009 after the two legislative actions were enacted. The objectives for the committee were to identify and evaluate issues and make recommendations to DEQ about the rulemaking proposal and on reporting requirements for electricity suppliers and fuel distributors. When determining these requirements, the committee evaluated applicability and reporting content. DEQ asked the committee to help establish fee levels, identify options to minimize costs to the regulated community and evaluate fiscal impacts of the proposal. DEQ incorporated the federal reporting rules into Oregon's rules in a manner that meets Oregon's data needs while being appropriate for reporting entities.

Advisory Committee Membership, Charter and Timeline

DEQ invited former members to continue participating on the committee and invited several new members. DEQ's goal was to establish a diverse committee that represented a broad range of interests.

Meeting Dates and Information

Meetings of the advisory committee were open to the public. The committee accepted public comment at each meeting.

Date/Location	Materials
April 1, 2010, 9 A.M. DEQ, Northwest Region Conference Rm A/B, 4th Fl. 2020 SW 4th Avenue Portland, OR 97201	Handouts: Agenda Draft Committee Report Draft Fiscal Statement Draft Proposed Rules January 2010 draft meeting notes Summary of Administrative Procedures Act Requirements
March 4	Handouts: Straw proposal Full committee meeting CANCELED. DEQ asked members to review and provide feedback on the straw proposal, which was revised since the January meeting.
January 21, 2010 DEQ, Headquarters 811 SW 6th Avenue Portland, OR 97204 Meeting notes	Handouts: Agenda Revised timeline Straw proposal (corrected) Example fuel throughput reports
December	DEQ met with a workgroup 12/17. Full committee meeting canceled.
November 16, 2009 DEQ, Northwest Region Meeting notes	Handouts: Agenda Draft Rule Language for Year One Fees NW Propane Gas Association ODOT Fuels Tax Group Data Overview Links: ODOT Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Forms ODOT Use Fuel Tax Forms	Presentations: Elements of an Imported Power Reporting Rule Fuels Tax Reporting to Oregon Department of Transportation Natural Gas Industry Overview NW Propane Gas Association
October 19, 2009 DEQ, Headquarters Meeting Notes	Handouts: Agenda Draft Charter (revised) Fee Options	Presentations: Fee Options for Continued Discussion Additional Budget Information Washington State’s Reporting Rules Electricity Companies and Power Imports Bonneville Power Administration and Customers Fuel Supply and Distribution in Oregon
September 23, 2009 DEQ, Northwest Region Meeting Notes	Handouts: Agenda Draft Charter Tentative Project Timeline Senate Bill 38 Section 2 (annotated) Senate Bill 103 and Senate Bill 38 Section 3 (annotated)	Presentations: Background Information Program Staffing and Fees Legislative Budget Fee Options for Discussion

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Advisory Committee

Background and Purpose

Advisory Committee Membership, Charter and Timeline

Meeting Dates and Information