New York has finalized its Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, creating one of the most comprehensive state level emissions reporting frameworks in the country. Starting in 2027, thousands of facilities, suppliers and transporters will need to submit annual greenhouse gas emissions data to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
With federal climate reporting rules uncertain, New York’s program ensures the state can continue collecting reliable emissions data to reduce harmful air pollution, guide climate policy and support public health.
Below is a clear breakdown of who is affected, what must be reported and how this compares to California’s SB 253.
Who the reporting program applies to
The program covers large greenhouse gas emitters, emitting 10,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent in a given year. The scope is broad and includes major polluters as well as key actors across energy, fuels and waste.
Facilities in New York
- Electricity generation facilities
- Stationary combustion facilities
- Landfills and waste to energy facilities
- Natural gas compressor stations
- Facilities handling liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas and liquid fuels
Fuel suppliers
- Natural gas suppliers
- Petroleum product and liquid fuel suppliers
- LNG, CNG and coal suppliers
Waste haulers and transporters
- Entities whose transported solid waste would generate more than 10,000 metric tons of CO2e at a landfill or combustion facility outside the state
Electric power entities
- Any entity that emits greenhouse gas emissions or imports megawatt hours into New York
Agricultural and waste processing operations
- Suppliers of agricultural lime and fertilizer
- Facilities engaged in anaerobic digestion or liquid waste storage
- Wastewater treatment plants and concentrated animal feeding operations meeting the emissions threshold
Taken together, the rule captures emissions across production, transport, energy and waste streams.
Reporting timelines
Reporting begins in June 2027 and covers the previous year’s emissions.
Key timing details
- June 2027: first required emissions data submission
- Certain large sources must undergo third party verification using DEC accredited verifiers
- Verification reporting deadlines are extended for the first two years
- Facilities that close or cease operations must report for only one year rather than three
- The program is for data collection only and does not require entities to reduce emissions or obtain emission allowances
The program also supports the production of the state’s annual GHG emissions report and protects emissions transparency in the event of federal rollbacks.
Reporting requirements
Each entity must submit an annual GHG emissions data report containing:
- Total annual greenhouse gas emissions in carbon dioxide equivalent
- Estimated emissions from combustion, industrial processes, waste and transport
- Activity data and calculation methodologies
- Certain GHG emissions data already required under EPA reporting programs
Some facilities must also verify their emissions through third party accredited verifiers. DEC aligned many definitions with the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce reporting burden and increase consistency.
How New York’s program compares to California SB 253
Both New York’s program and California’s SB 253 increase transparency, but they differ in scope, purpose and data requirements.
Key similarities
- Require annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions
- Apply to major sources and suppliers
- Strengthen state level oversight of emissions data
- Include third party verification for some entities
Key differences
Scope
- New York’s rule applies at 10,000 metric tons CO2e
- SB 253 applies to companies with more than 1 billion dollars in annual revenue doing business in California
Emissions covered
- New York focuses on direct emissions across facilities, suppliers and waste streams
- SB 253 requires disclosure of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions across full value chains
Purpose
- New York is building a comprehensive state owned dataset to guide environmental conservation and policy
- SB 253 aims to improve transparency for investors, regulators and consumers
For companies operating in both states, this means maintaining flexible, verifiable emissions systems that can adapt to multiple frameworks.
Implications beyond New York
New York joins California and other states in advancing mandatory greenhouse gas reporting. The move carries several implications for organizations.
- Companies with multi state operations will face increasing reporting complexity
- Supply chains will be affected as waste haulers, transporters and fuel suppliers take on reporting obligations
- Verification expectations will rise as states seek higher quality emissions data
- State level data will shape future policies on energy efficiency, air pollution and emissions reductions
- Reliable emissions data is becoming a baseline requirement for doing business in key US markets
Even companies located outside New York may be pulled into the program through their transport, waste or fuel related activities.
How ESG reporting tools can help
The scale and complexity of these new requirements make manual reporting difficult to maintain. ESG data platforms provide structure, quality control and efficiency for companies preparing to comply with the the New York GHG reporting program and other emerging regulations.
Modern ESG tools can help organizations:
- Collect and standardize emissions data from multiple facilities and suppliers
- Map data to different reporting programs including New York, California SB 253 and EPA frameworks
- Ensure audit readiness through documentation, traceability and automated validation
- Track annual changes to support reporting of the previous year’s emissions
- Engage suppliers and waste haulers with clear workflows and structured data requests
- Maintain consistent methodologies across states and regions
As state level environmental regulations grow stronger, digital emissions management systems offer a practical and scalable way to stay compliant while reducing administrative burden.
