Thousands of carbon-intensive facilities across the U.S. may have to report their greenhouse gas emissions for the first time beginning in 2011.



The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday, using its authority under the Clean Air Act, proposed a national greenhouse gas reporting framework that will impact roughly 13,000 facilities covering up to 90 percent of the country's emissions. The first report in 2011 would cover emissions from 2010.



The reporting rules lay the groundwork for future climate change legislation and would apply to facilities generating more than 25,000 metric tons of emissions annually, such as power generators, car manufacturers, industrial chemical suppliers and cement, iron and steel producers, among others.



"Through this new reporting, we will have comprehensive and accurate data about the production of greenhouse gases," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement. "This is a critical step toward helping us better protect our health and environment -- all without placing an onerous burden on our nation's small businesses."



The EPA estimates it will cost reporting companies about $160 million in the first year, and about $127 million in subsequent years.



There will be a 60-day comment period once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.





"Fisk Generating Station" -- CC licensed by Flickr user Señor Codo.