Or. Admin. Code § 340-272-0470 - Review of Operations and Emissions for Emissions Data Reports Submitted under OAR Chapter 340, Division 215

(1) Verification services for verification of GHG Reporting Program emissions data reports submitted under OAR chapter 340, division 215 must include review that meets all of the requirements of this rule.

(2) Facility operations must be reviewed to identify applicable greenhouse gas emissions sources, and the review must:

(a) Be conducted by the verification team;

(b) Include a review of the emissions inventory and each type of emissions source to ensure that all sources specified under OAR 340-215-0030 are included in the emissions data report, as applicable; and

(c) Review the reported current primary and any secondary (if reported) NAICS codes to ensure they accurately represent the NAICS-associated activities for the facility. The review of these NAICS codes and associated activities must be documented in the sampling plan. If the reported NAICS code(s) is determined to be inaccurate and the responsible entity does not submit a revised emissions data report to correct the current NAICS code(s), the result will be an adverse verification statement.

(3) Electricity transaction records must be reviewed, including but not limited to written power contracts and any other applicable information required to confirm reported electricity procurements and deliveries. Documentation retained by the responsible entity to support claims of specified sources of electricity, as required under OAR 340-215-0042(6) must be reviewed to ensure it is sufficient to support the claim. Verifiers must use professional judgment to determine whether the records retained authenticate the claim.

(4) Information regarding increases or decreases in emissions, as required under OAR 340-215-0044(4) must be reviewed to ensure it is reported in conformance with the requirements of that division, however, the narrative description itself is not subject to the verification requirements of this division.

(5) Supporting documentation retained by the responsible entity to authenticate the purchase of gaseous or liquid biomass-derived fuels or hydrogen, as required under OAR 340-215-0042(4) must be reviewed to ensure it is sufficient to authenticate the purchase. Verifiers must use professional judgment to determine whether the records retained authenticate the purchase and fuel type.

(a) For biomethane and hydrogen reported under OAR chapter 340, division 215 the verifier must:

(A) Examine all applicable nomination, invoice, scheduling, allocation, transportation, storage, in-kind fuel purchase and balancing reports from the producer to the reporting entity and have reasonable assurance that the reporting entity is contractually receiving the identified fuel;

(B) Determine that the biomethane met pipeline quality standards;

(C) Review documentation that confirms the gas was contractually delivered to Oregon;

(D) Review attestations regarding environmental attributes confirming that no other party can make a claim on attributes that are being reported under OAR chapter 340, division 215;

(E) If book and claim accounting methodology was used to report contractual deliveries of gas, the verifier must also review documentation to confirm the reported quantity of gas was injected into a natural gas pipeline network connected to Oregon within the emissions data year; and

(F) If an electronic tracking system approved by DEQ is used for book and claim, the verifier must review records from the tracking system showing the retirement of all environmental attributes of that fuel that are being reported under division 215.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 340-272-0470

DEQ 14-2020, adopt filed 05/07/2020, effective 5/7/2020; DEQ 17-2023, amend filed 11/16/2023, effective 11/16/2023

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 468.020, 468A.050 & 468A.280

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 468A.010, 468A.015, 468A.050 & 468A.280