New York Adopts Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Under Part 253

Regulatory developments in greenhouse gas data collection continue to shape the information base used for climate policy and emissions monitoring. In New York State, DEC has completed rulemaking for a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program under Part 253, setting out reporting and verification requirements for defined categories of entities.

New York State has adopted regulations establishing a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program to improve the State’s understanding of greenhouse gas emissions sources and support the Annual Statewide GHG Emissions Report. DEC describes the measure as a data collection programme and notes that it serves as a backstop to help ensure continued availability of greenhouse gas information in light of potential changes to federal requirements.

Regulation Adopted as Part 253

A Notice of Adoption published in the New York State Register records the establishment of a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program through the addition of Part 253 to Title 6 NYCRR and an amendment of Part 200. The notice lists I.D. No. ENV-13-25-00016-A, a filing date of 25 November 2025, and an effective date of 30 days after filing. The same notice describes Part 253 as requiring Reporting Entities to annually report greenhouse gas emissions and related data and to maintain records, and indicates that large emission sources must verify their reporting.

DEC Purpose and Finalisation Process

In a press release dated 1 December 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), states that the rule will improve the State’s understanding of greenhouse gas emissions sources and enable more effective monitoring of progress towards pollution reduction goals. DEC also states that the Mandatory GHG Reporting Program is for data collection only and does not impose requirements for facilities to reduce GHG pollution or to obtain emission allowances. DEC summarises the development pathway, noting draft regulations released in March 2025, receipt of more than 3,000 public comments by 1 July 2025, informational webinars in May, and hearings in June. DEC further states that changes were made based on comments, including added flexibility for the regulated community, extension of the verification reporting deadline for the first two years, a change from three years to one year for reporting from facilities that closed or ceased operations, and clarifications to terms and definitions with closer alignment to federal reporting.

Who Should Report Under Part 253

Part 253 requires Reporting Entities to annually report emissions and related data to DEC. The reporting categories include owners and operators of facilities in New York that meet or exceed 10,000 MT of CO2e per emissions year, or that are a CO2 Budget Source under Part 242. DEC also identifies fuel suppliers across several fuel types where reporting is triggered by supplying any quantity. Additional categories include waste haulers and transporters where estimated emissions from exported solid waste exceed 10,000 MT CO2e in any year, electric power entities that emit any GHG emissions or import MWh into New York, suppliers of agricultural lime and fertilizer, and anaerobic digestion and liquid waste storage activities where wastes can produce 10,000 MT of CO2e per year. DEC notes that CO2e calculations use a 20-year global warming potential.

Reporting mechanics, key dates, and verification

DEC indicates that emissions will be reported via the New York State Electronic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Tool (NYS e-GGRT), which is currently being developed, and that training will be provided once the system is in place. DEC’s programme page sets out key dates, including 1 September 2026 for an Emissions Monitoring and Measurement Plan for applicable reporters and 31 December 2026 for a Large Emission Source’s GHG Monitoring Plan due to the Department. DEC states that the first Emissions Data Report is due on 1 June 2027 to reflect the previous year’s emissions, and that annual emissions reports are due each year on 1 June. DEC also sets out verification timing for large emission sources, with verification statements due for the previous emissions year, including 1 December 2027 for emissions year 2026 and 1 December 2028 for emissions year 2027, followed by 10 August in subsequent emissions years, alongside a three-year verification cycle that begins with full verification.

What the Update Signals

The immediate outcome is a defined reporting calendar, published scoping criteria, and verification requirements for large emission sources, with thresholds that vary by reporting category. DEC frames Part 253 as data collection rather than an emissions reduction obligation. The adopted framework sets out recurring emissions data reporting and verification ahead of the first Emissions Data Report due on 1 June 2027.