What is an Emissions Inventory? |
An emissions inventory is a detailed list of air pollutant emissions associated with the various sources of emissions. Emissions sources are designated as either stationary or mobile sources. Stationary sources are categorized as either point sources, which emit a confined air stream through a stack or pipe, or area sources, which are numerous small activities that are not individually tracked. Point sources include stationary sources at manufacturing facilities and power plants. Typical area sources are gasoline stations, dry cleaners, wood stoves, forest fires and house paints. Mobile sources are categorized as on-road or off-road. On-road mobile sources include passenger vehicles, motorcycles and trucks; off-road sources include construction equipment, lawn mowers, chainsaws, snowmobiles and motorboats.
Emissions are identified with a source in terms of the type of pollutant and the quantity of emissions. Pollutants maintained in DEEP's air inventories include traditional or criteria pollutants (e.g., nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxides, particulate matter), toxic air pollutants (e.g., mercury, ammonia, benzene, dioxide) and greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane). Specialized methods have been developed to calculate individual pollutant emissions associated with each source category. The resulting information can be aggregated and sorted to assess emissions trends, ambient impact analysis and inform planning.
More background on emissions inventories is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the following location: EPA Emissions Inventory
Why Does CT Compile and Maintain an Emissions Inventory? |
Air emissions inventories are crucial to DEEP's efforts to improve Connecticut's air quality in furtherance of public and environmental health. Air emissions inventory information assists in planning to reduce emissions to meet federal and state mandates, tracking Connecticut's progress towards meeting our air quality goals, and mitigating significant impacts of air pollution.
Periodic Emissions Inventory (PEI)
The EPA requires a PEI every three years. The PEI quantifies actual air emissions for all categories of air pollution sources in Connecticut. Below is the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's submittal for the 2011 PEI. (all documents are available as PDF files)
Point Source Inventory
DEEP obtains point source emissions information through an electronic annual emissions statement report that is submitted by the owner of a source of air pollution in the state. Annual data reporting begins in the first quarter of the year for the annual data of the preceding year.
Every Title V source owner and other mandated emissions reporters must designate a single person (a submitter) who is legally authorized to submit an emissions statement to DEEP. Each mandated reporter may also designate one or more persons (editors) who develop the information used in the annual emissions statement. Each submitter or editor must register with DEEP by completing and submitting the appropriate application form. Each submitter and editor will be given a User Name, ID and Password upon registering.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
- Electronic Signature Application and Subscriber Agreement (Word form; PDF version)
- Instructions for Completing the Electronic Signature Application and Subscriber Agreement (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions about EMIT (PDF)
- EMIT Helpline: 860-424-3882 / EMIT Help by email: deep.bam.ts@ct.gov
Note: Please use the Google Chrome web browser to access the EMIT system. Use of alternate browsers may result in reduced system functionality.
Content Last Updated on January 16, 2019