The California Air Resources Board has approved a rule that will require some 800 businesses to annually report the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted.  They include electricity generating facilities, oil refineries and cement plants.

 It’s one of the requirements of A.B. 32 or the California Global Warming Solutions Act.  That requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020.  Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols says the new reporting requirements will lead up to regulating individual sources. 

 “These are just the first important steps that will enable us to go back and say OK, now we know who’s out there  emitting what into the atmosphere.  Now let’s figure out the best way to get them to reduce it.”

Dozens of people testified on the new rule at the Air Resources Board meeting.  Some raised concerns about allowing companies to keep their calculations on emissions levels secret.  Businesses subject to the requirement must start reporting in 2009.