New industrial pollution reporting regulations will come into effect in Ontario Jan. 1, 2010, affecting facilities releasing 25,000 tonnes or more of greenhouse gases and laying the groundwork for a provincial cap-and-trade system.
Introduced in May, the regulations are expected to affect up to 300 facilities, with reporting of 2010 emissions to begin in 2011.
In a cap-and-trade system, the government sets a maximum level, or cap, of allowable emissions. Pollution credits are issued to industrial firms, which are used as the company approaches the cap. Any leftover credits can be sold to other firms, theoretically providing an incentive to reduce emissions.
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