FAQs

Small vs. Large Emitters

• What is a large emitter?

A large emitter is an entity whose annual emissions exceed 10,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.

General Guidelines, §300.2

• What are the requirements for a large emitter to register reductions?

A large emitter must complete a comprehensive entity-wide emissions inventory that meets minimum data quality standards, resulting in a quantity-weighted average quality rating of at least 3.0. Other requirements include calculating and reportin net entity-wide emission reductions that reflect any increases in emissions experienced by one or more sources within the entity and maintaining verifiable records for a minimum of three years for Reporting Year data and for the duration of the entity's participation in the 1605(b) Program for Base Period data.

Instructions for Form EIA-1605, pp.10
General Guidelines, §300.1

• What is a small emitter?

A small emitter is an entity whose annual emissions do not exceed 10,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.

General Guidelines, §300.2

• How can I determine if I am a small emitter?

You can develop a preliminary estimate of your entity-wide emissions to demonstrate that your annual emissions do not exceed 10,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent by using EIA's Simplified Emission Inventory Tool (SEIT) or the methods contained in the Technical Guidelines. The result of this preliminary estimate must be reported to EIA.

Please note that if your entity determines that it is a small emitter, your entity-wide emissions must be re-estimated and reported to EIA:

• every five years;
• whenever the operations or boundaries of the entity have changed signifgicantly; and
• after any significant increase in emissions.
  

 

A small emitter with estimated annual emissions exceeding 9,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent must re-estimate and submit entity-wide emissions annually. See the General Guidelines, §300.5(c) for more information on determining and maintaining small emitter status.

Instructions for Form EIA-1605, pp.10

• What is the Simplified Emissions Inventory Tool (SEIT)?

The Simplified Emission Inventory Tool (SEIT) is a spreadsheet-based method, developed and made available by EIA, for translating common physical indicators into a preliminary estimate of greenhouse gas emissions.

The preliminary estimates developed using SEIT may not be used to prepare, in whole or in part, entity-wide emission inventories required for the registration of the reductions.

General Guidelines, §300.2

• What are the requirements for a small emitter to register reductions?

A small emitter must provide an emissions inventory only for the activities for which it intends to register emissions reductions. It must meet the same minimum data quality standards for this partial inventory and use the same methods to calculate reductions as a large emitter. A small emitter must certify that the reductions it intends to register were not caused by actions likely to cause increases in emissions elsewhere in the entity.

Instructions for Form EIA-1605, pp.10

• What activities can I report if I am a small emitter?

If you are a small emitter, you may choose to report your emissions and/or emission reductions for specific activities in selected elements of your entity. An "activity" for a small emitter includes any single category of anthropogenic production (i.e., type of activity), consumption, or other action that releases emissions or results in sequestration, the annual changes of which can be assessed generally by using a single calculation method. An example of an activity would be a subentity created for the activities associated with an entity's wood lots. The entity would report on all emissions associated with its wood lot operations. Acceptable types of activities are subject to EIA review and must be consistent with the Program's General and Technical Guidelines. For example, it would be permitted for a small emitter to report on its vehicle fleet as an activity, but it would not be permitted for it to report only on its hybrid vehicles.

General Guidelines, §300.1(c)

• Can I report a single, small reforestation project?

If you are a large emitter who intends to report but not register emission reductions, you may report on selected elements, such as reforestation activity. In this case, all instances of your entity's reforestation activity (i.e., all reforestation projects) will need to be included in the emissions report.

Alternatively, if you qualify as a small emitter, you may choose whether to register or report but not register emissions reductions for selected activities. Again, all instances of your entity's reforestation activity will need to be included in the emissions report.

General Guidelines, §300.1(5)(c)(3), §300.3, §300.4, and §301(b)(4)