Every year, federal regulations require that all state agencies responsible for regulating air pollution collect emissions data from certain facilities in order to compile an Emission Inventory (EI). In Georgia, emissions data for Calendar Year 2021 are due by June 30, 2022. All Title V facilities whose potential to emit (PTE) emissions is equal to or exceeds the following thresholds in Calendar Year 2021 are required to submit emissions data:
Pollutant | PTE Thresholds (tons per year) |
SO2 | 2,500 |
VOC | 250 |
NOX | 2,500 |
CO | 2,500 |
PM10 | 250 |
PM2.5 | 250 |
NH3 | 250 |
Regardless of whether your facility exceeds any of the above thresholds, all Title V facilities will need to log in to the Georgia Environmental Connections Online (GECO) website (https://geco.gaepd.org) to update facility, certifier, and preparer information. Next you will need to log in to the EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) website (https://cdx.epa.gov) and access the Combined Air Emissions Reporting System (CAERS) where the EI information is submitted. Once logged into CAERS, all Title V facilities must determine their participation in the 2021 Emission Inventory (“opting in” or “opting out”).
If your facility emissions do not meet or exceed any of the above thresholds or if your facility did not operate from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, then you are allowed to opt out of the 2021 Emission Inventory by completing the required Opt-out Form. The Opt-out Form can be downloaded from the GECO website under EI application, and it must be completed before you can certify the 2021 EI Op-out submission in CAERS. Once completed you will have satisfied your Emission Inventory reporting requirements for Calendar Year 2021.
If your facility emissions do meet or exceed any above the above thresholds, then you must opt in to the 2021 Emission Inventory and enter all required Emission Inventory information in CAERS. Once all the information has been entered and certified, you will have satisfied your Emission Inventory reporting requirements for Calendar Year 2021.