This consultation was open from:
November 20, 2019
to December 20, 2019
Decision summary
We are proceeding with changes to Ontario’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reporting program to harmonize with the federal requirements and reduce unnecessary costs and regulatory burden for reporters.
Decision details
Through our Made-In-Ontario Environment plan, we are working to address climate change and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, a target that aligns with international commitments.
Our finalized Ontario emission performance standards for large, industrial emitters will make polluters accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions.
We have made changes to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Quantification, Reporting and Verification regulation (O. Reg. 390/18 or the Reporting Regulation) and the incorporated Guideline to harmonize with the federal government and reduce unnecessary costs and regulatory burden.
The amendments will:
- Align the definition of “facility” under the Reporting Regulation with the facility definition under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).
- Align Ontario methods and requirements with the federal quantification methods and other requirements for facilities, where feasible. In some cases, Ontario requires certain parameters to be reported by covered facilities to support the Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) program that are in addition to what is required under the federal program.
- Provide the ability for the director to require a revised GHG report from a covered facility under certain circumstances.
- Delay verification of production parameters until Ontario’s EPS is accepted by the federal government and the application of the federal Output-based Pricing System (OBPS) is removed from Ontario.
These amendments apply to the report for the 2019 emissions year, due in June 2020.
Effects of consultation
Below is a summary of the types of comments we received and the ministry’s response:
1. Support for aligning facility definition
Stakeholders supported aligning the definition of facility with a few requesting changes to how natural gas transmission and distribution was described in the definition.
Response
The definition of facility was revised to address stakeholder feedback related to natural gas transmission and distribution.
2. Support for aligning Ontario’s methods with federal quantification methods
Stakeholders indicated support for the aligning of quantification methods with some technical changes.
For example, some stakeholders:
- sought clarification for several of the activity and supporting definitions
- requested modification to some reporting and calculation requirements to clarify or streamline them
- noted that some requirements were inconsistent with OBPS requirements
- requested that the web-based reporting module through which reporters submit reports be aligned to support a single report for both GHGRP and Ontario
Response
To address stakeholder feedback, we:
- revised some activity and supporting definitions
- modified some reporting and calculation requirements to address technical issues, align with other programs, or reduce administrative burden
- aligned with requirements under the OBPS where feasible (note: some requirements cannot be aligned with the OBPS as the Reporting Regulation needs to support the EPS program)
- are working with Environment and Climate Change Canada to update the web-based reporting module through which reporters submit reports (i.e., Single Window) to ensure that one submission from reporters meets the reporting requirements of both Ontario and the GHGRP
3. Support for director to require a revised GHG report and verification
Stakeholders indicated support for the director to require a revised GHG report and verification.
4. Duplicate verifications
Several stakeholders raised concerns over duplication and increased burden between OBPS and the Reporting Regulation verification requirements.
Response
We are delaying the verification of production parameter data until Ontario EPS is accepted by the Federal government and the OBPS is removed from application in Ontario.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 8
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Vicky La
40 St Clair Ave W
8th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Proposed changes to greenhouse gas reporting
We are proposing changes to
- the Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Quantification, Reporting and Verification regulation (O. Reg. 390/18 or Reporting Regulation)
- the incorporated Guideline
We are proposing the following changes:
1. Aligning definition of facility with federal definition
- We are proposing to align the definition of “facility” under the Reporting Regulation with the facility definition under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).
2. Aligning with federal quantification methods
- The quantification methods and other requirements for reporting GHG emissions under the Federal Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) program and federal GHGRP program are different than those under the Ontario Reporting Regulation and Guideline.
- We are proposing to align Ontario methods and requirements with the federal quantification methods and other requirements for facilities, where feasible. In some cases, Ontario is proposing to require certain parameters to be reported by covered facilities to support the Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) program that are additional to what is required under the federal program.
- Overall, we expect harmonization with federal reporting requirements to reduce unnecessary costs and regulatory burden for covered facilities, while maintaining the quality of data reported to Ontario.
3. Ability for director to require a revised GHG report and verification
- The Reporting Regulation includes circumstances under which a facility is required to submit a revised GHG report to the director. We are proposing the following circumstances under which the director may request a revised GHG report from a covered facility:
- The director feels that the Accredited Verification Body (AVB) that has verified the GHG report has a potential threat to the AVB’s impartiality.
- Based on the emissions, production and other data submitted by the facility and verified by the AVB, the director has come to a different calculation of the Total Annual Emissions Limit (TAEL) or the verification amount in the GHG report.
- The revised GHG report, verified by an AVB with no conflict of interest, will be required to be submitted to the director within 90 days of receiving the director’s request being sent.
Timelines
We propose to apply these amendments to the 2019 emissions year report due in June 2020.
Purpose of regulation
We are proposing these amendments to the GHG Reporting Regulation to:
- reduce unnecessary costs
- reduce regulatory burden
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
40 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 8
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from November 20, 2019
to December 20, 2019
Connect with us
Contact
Vicky La
40 St Clair Ave W
8th Floor
Toronto,
ON
M4V 1M2
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
7By email
9By mail
0