New York finalizes greenhouse gas emissions reporting regulations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized regulations establishing a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, affecting large greenhouse gas emitters in the state, including waste facilities and processors. The department says the rule will improve New York’s understanding of the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This effort also supports the production of the annual GHG Emissions Report, protecting against anticipated federal rollbacks, according to DEC.

“DEC’s greenhouse gas emissions reporting program and subsequent data collection is critical to the State’s ongoing efforts to protect our environment and improve the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton says. “The Reporting Rule will enable DEC to collect the information necessary, despite proposed rollbacks on the federal level, and develop effective strategies that reduce harmful air pollution and direct investments where they are most needed. This effort will protect New York’s consumers, help to ensure cleaner air and better health, and promote economic competitiveness across the state.”  

The following sources will be required to annually report emissions data to DEC: 

• Owners and operators of facilities in New York emitting 10,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually. These facilities include electricity generation, stationary combustion, landfills, waste-to-energy, natural gas compressor stations and other infrastructure;
• Fuel suppliers that provide a quantity of fuel to an end user in New York that generates any amount of GHG emissions per emissions year. This includes suppliers of natural gas, liquid fuels and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) and coal;
• Waste haulers and transporters for which the estimated emissions from solid wastes transported to landfills or combustion facilities outside of New York exceed 10,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions in any year;
• Electric power entities that emit any GHG emissions or import megawatt hours into New York;
• Suppliers of enough agricultural lime and fertilizer to generate any GHG emissions per emission year; and
• Anaerobic digestion and liquid waste storage facilities, including wastewater treatment plants and concentrated animal feeding operations, where waste imported to the facility or generated at the facility would generate 10,000 or more metric tons of CO2e per year. 

As part of the 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed DEC to advance the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. DEC released draft regulations in March and received more than 3,000 public comments through July 1. DEC also offered informational webinars in May and held hearings in June to collect feedback.  

DEC made some changes to the proposal based on comments received that includes additional flexibility for the regulated community. The final regulation extends the verification reporting deadline for the first two years, changes the requirement from three years to one year for reporting from facilities that closed or ceased operations and clarifies some terms and definitions to align with federal reporting. 

DEC’s Mandatory GHG Reporting Program is for data collection only. It does not impose requirements for facilities to reduce GHG pollution or to obtain emission allowances. A facility required to report emissions will annually provide certain GHG emission data and information to DEC starting in June 2027 to reflect the previous year’s emissions. Certain large emission sources will also be required to verify their emissions data report annually using DEC-accredited third-party verification services. 

DEC says the rule also helps minimize potential reporting requirement costs by using data already required to be reported under existing programs.

“The information compiled through the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program will provide an essential accounting of the largest sources of emissions to establish the baseline that must be addressed to achieve measurable reductions and cleaner air across the state,” New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris says. “This rule represents a significant step forward and will inform policies and programs administered by NYSERDA to further support New York’s businesses and communities in understanding how they can increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”

The GHG reporting regulation, including supplemental documents and additional information, can be found on DEC’s website.