
Emissions Performance Standards program
Last Update: January 24, 2025
ON, Canada
Ontario EPS program reduces industrial greenhouse gas emissions
Emissions Performance Standards program at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open Date : January 1, 2023
- Closing date : December 31, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Grant Providers
- Government of Ontario
Status
Closed
Overview of the Emissions Performance Standards program program
The Emissions Performance Standards program provides funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at eligible industrial facilities in Ontario, supporting competitiveness and economic growth while adhering to stricter emissions standards. The maximum funding amount is not explicitly stated, but it reinvests compliance payments collected under the program.
Financing terms and conditions
The Emissions Performance Standards program in Ontario reinvests compliance payments to support emissions reduction projects at eligible industrial facilities. It aims to maintain competitiveness while fostering economic growth.
- Compliance payments collected under the EPS regulation are reinvested to fund emissions reduction projects.
- Funds support initiatives at eligible industrial facilities to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
Eligible projects & activities
Ontario's Emissions Performance Standards program includes funding for emissions reduction projects aimed at supporting industrial facilities in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities should focus on enhancing environmental performance while maintaining competitiveness and supporting economic growth.
- Investments in technologies or processes that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial operations.
- Projects that enhance energy efficiency in manufacturing, resource-based, or electricity generation sectors.
- Implementation of innovative practices or systems aimed at reducing carbon intensity and promoting sustainable industrial production.
- Initiatives to replace or retrofit existing equipment with low-emission alternatives.
- Research and development of new technologies or solutions that reduce emissions and meet the stringent performance standards.
Eligibility criteria of the Emissions Performance Standards program program
Eligibility for registration in the Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) program is determined by specific criteria related to emission reporting and industrial activities.
- The facility must meet the definition of an "EPS facility" as per O. Reg. 241/19.
- Owners or operators are required to report greenhouse gas emissions for 2014 or any subsequent year.
- The facility must have reported emissions of at least 50,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in one or more reporting years from 2014 onward.
- The primary activity at the facility must be an industrial activity listed in paragraphs 1 to 38 of Schedule 2 of O. Reg. 241/19.
- If opting in voluntarily, a facility must either:
- Have reported emissions of at least 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from 2014 onward and engage in an activity listed in Schedule 2.
- Expect to emit at least 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent within three years following substantial completion of an eligible modification.
- For a brand-new facility, be expected to emit at least 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent within three years following the first production.
- Facilities not currently included can request to be assessed and added to Schedule 2 under certain conditions.
Who is eligible?
The Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) program requires registration from facilities in Ontario within certain industrial sectors that meet specific criteria outlined by the Environmental Protection Act. Entities who are required or may opt-in include those in the manufacturing, resource, and electricity generation industries that:1. Have reported greenhouse gas emissions of 50,000 tonnes or more in any given year since 2014, if they meet the primary industrial activities listed.2. May choose to opt-in if they reported at least 10,000 tonnes of emissions since 2014, have completed an eligible modification leading to significant emissions or are new facilities expecting to meet the emissions threshold within three years.3. Engage in an industrial activity assigned medium or high risk of carbon leakage and competitiveness impacts.Any such facilities must follow the steps outlined to register properly with the Ontario government and apply for federal exemptions where applicable.
Who is not eligible
This grant program specifically targets large polluting facilities in certain industries and excludes others based on the defined criteria. The restrictions ensure the program supports facilities engaged in recognized industrial activities with significant emissions.
- Facilities not engaged in industrial activities listed in Schedule 2 of O. Reg. 241/19.
- Companies whose industrial activities are assessed as low risk for carbon leakage and competitiveness impacts.
- Facilities with emissions below 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent without eligibility under the opt-in scenarios.
Eligible geographic areas
This program is specific to the province of Ontario, Canada. Only facilities located within Ontario are eligible to participate in the Emissions Performance Standards program.
- Facilities must be located in Ontario.
How to apply to the Emissions Performance Standards program program
1
Submit a Notice of Intention (NOI)
- Email the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at EPSApplications@Ontario.ca.
- Include your company legal name, facility name, all Greenhouse Gas (GHG) ID(s) assigned, and a facility boundaries map in PDF format.
2
Complete and submit a registration package
- After submitting your NOI, receive a registration package via email from the EPS registration team.
- Complete the EPS Facility Registration form and a Letter of Authorization template designating facility account and authorized representatives.
- Send the completed and signed registration package to EPSApplications@ontario.ca.
3
Receive registration confirmation
- Receive a Director’s notice confirming your registration along with an EPS facility registration certificate.
- Follow next steps provided by the ministry for compliance and exemption processes.
4
Submit required documents post-registration
After receiving exemption from the federal fuel charge, provide copies of the ECCC statement and the CRA Endorsement Notice to EPSApplications@ontario.ca within 30 days.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Facilities registered in the EPS program can apply for exemption from the federal fuel charge.
- Assigned GHG IDs must be included when submitting a Notice of Intention to register.
- Any change in ownership or operator requires specific notifications and actions from both the previous and new owners.
- Registrants must provide copies of the ECCC statement and CRA endorsement notice within 30 days of receipt.
- Compliance with annual requirements includes having the correct number of compliance instruments by December 15 to avoid additional obligations.
- Facilities can request the Ministry to assess their industrial activity for potential inclusion in Schedule 2 of the regulation.
- Facilities have the option to use emissions performance units (EPUs) and excess emissions units (EEUs) to meet compliance obligations, with detailed steps and deadlines outlined for transactions.
- Failure to meet compliance obligations could result in the cancellation of registration.
- Ontario is reinvesting compliance payments collected to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions at eligible industrial facilities.
- Facilities engaging in covered industrial activities are assessed for medium or high carbon leakage and competitiveness risks.
Contact Government of Ontario
1-888-217-3326
Apply to this program

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