Method and system for determining mobile emissions reduction credits

Abstract

A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity (15) comprising the steps of identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant (20), providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of the pollutant (21), providing a mobile source (16), applying the emissions reduction technology to the mobile source to provide a modified mobile source (25), connecting the PEMS to the modified mobile source (26), taking measurements of the modified mobile source (28), analyzing the measurements to develop a modified emissions amount (29), determining a target emissions amount (19), determining the difference between the target emissions amount and the modified emissions amount (30), and converting the difference between the target emissions amount and the modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity (31). The step of determining a target emissions amount may comprise the steps of providing a PEMS adapted to measure emissions of the pollutant (21), connecting the PEMS to the mobile source (22), taking first measurements of the pollutant from the mobile source (23) and analyzing the measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount (24), or the target emissions amount may be a function of a regulation or standard (19).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of an embodiment of the improved system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of mechanical components and a testing configuration of an embodiment of the improved system.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing non-compliant, target or baseline and reduced emission levels of an embodiment of the improved system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the computer network for an embodiment of the improved system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the improved system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces, consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, this invention provides a method for determining a Mobile Emission Reduction Credit or other tradable commodity, of which the presently preferred embodiment is generally indicated at 15. As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment generally includes three stages. The first stage includes the selection of a pollutant 18, the selection of an emissions reduction technology 20, and the selection of a mobile source 16. In the preferred embodiment, the pollutants selected are of particular concern for health or environmental reasons. They include nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SO_x), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

As part of this first stage, an emissions reduction technology related to the selected pollutant is also selected 20. Either the pollutant may be selected first and the emissions reduction technology selected to address the subject pollutant, or the emissions reduction technology may be selected and the pollutant identified or determined based on the efficacy of the emissions reduction technology. Numerous emissions reduction technologies presently available or hereafter developed may be used. For example, alternative fuels may be employed based on the fact that such fuels reduce emissions of a particular pollutant or pollutants. It is also known that a hybrid engine may be employed that reduces emissions from a vehicle. The vehicle or mobile source may be repaired or retrofit in such a way as to cause a reduction in pollutant(s) emissions. For example, a fleet of vehicles might be modified with a kit 65b that makes the vehicle more aerodynamic and therefor emit less pollutants. The vehicle or mobile source, or a fleet of vehicles or mobile sources, may be entirely replaced with new vehicles, thereby resulting in a reduction of emissions due to the new vehicle(s). These and other technologies may be identified, selected and employed in order to reduce emissions from the mobile source(s).

The first stage also involves selecting a mobile source 16. Again, the emissions reduction technology and pollutant(s) selected may be dependent on the mobile source selected, or vice versa. The term mobile source encompasses potential sources of pollutants that are not stationary. Examples of mobile sources are passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels such as boats and ships.

A single pollutant, a single emission reduction technology and a single mobile source, or multiple pollutants, multiple emission reduction technologies and multiple mobile sources, or any combination of the above, may be employed in the system. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, multiple emission reduction technologies may be used on a single vehicle to reduce emissions of one or more pollutants of interest.

The second stage of the system involves determining the reduction, if any, in emissions of the pollutant from the mobile source due to the emissions reduction technology, the conversion of that reduction into a tradable commodity such as a Mobile Emission Reduction Credit (MERC), and the verification of that reduction. While it has been recognized that mobile sources such as cars and trucks are the leading cause of urban air pollution and that achieving emission reductions from mobile sources such as cars and trucks would be desirable, heretofore it has been difficult to quantify such reductions in mobile sources. In the prior art, emissions have been estimated based on a set of assumptions and data derived from emission inventory models. Unfortunately, this has greatly reduced the confidence that the MERCs generated for the pollutant meet the real and permanent criteria for many government sponsored emission reduction credits. Thus, such prior art estimates or calculations have not been generally accepted in trading systems. The inventive system disclosed in this application addresses this problem by employing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) in the calculation of mobile emissions reductions and the determination of the mobile emission reduction credit to be traded. A PEMS is an onboard testing system or device that measures the emissions from the mobile source while the source is in actual, real-world use, rather than in a laboratory or simulated environment. The system is connected to the mobile source so as to measure the emissions of the selected pollutant(s) when the source is in regular use. While such systems are known in the prior art, no one has developed a system for determining a tradable commodity such as a MERC using a PEMS.

The MONTANA™ PEMS manufactured by Clean Air Technologies International, Inc., of 819 East Ferry Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14211, may be used in the preferred embodiment. This system is capable of measuring second-by-second mass emissions on a variety of vehicle engines in actual, real world and regular use and operation. This PEMS is versatile, compact, lightweight, portable and easily installed. In the preferred embodiment, the unit provides HC, CO, CO₂, NO_x and O₂ readings for gasoline powered vehicles and NO_x, CO, CO₂, O₂ and PM (light scattering) readings for diesel vehicles. The pollutant concentrations are obtained from a sample probe inserted into the tail pipe. This data is then combined with exhaust flow data calculated using engine parameters read from the vehicles engine control unit to determine mass emissions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,130, entitled “Portable On-Board Mass Emissions Measuring System,” discloses a PEMS for measuring mass emissions while a vehicle is in service. U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,019, entitled “Portable On-Board System for Measuring Vehicle Exhaust Particulate Emissions,” discloses a PEMS that measures emissions of particulate matter. The disclosure of each of U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,130 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,019 are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

It is contemplated that other PEMS units may be used depending on the selected pollutant(s). For example, the SPOT unit provided by Analytical Engineering, Inc., of 2555 Technology Boulevard, Columbus, Ind. 47201 may be used as an alternative. The SEMTECH® unit provided by Sensors, Inc., of 6812 S. State Road, Saline, Mich. 48176, may be used as another alternative. For particulate matter, the SCANNING MOBILITY PARTICLE SIZER™ manufactured by TSI, Inc., of 500 Cardigan Road, Shoreview, Minn. 55126 may be used as an alternative. A FTIR gas analyzer may also be utilized, such as the TITAN FTIR gas analysis system manufactured by MIDAC Corporation, 130 McCormick Avenue, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626.

The PEMS is selected to take actual, on-board measurements of the subject pollutant(s) emitted by the subject mobile source when the mobile source is in real use. Using a PEMS, actual real world measurements are taken to determine the emissions of the pollutant(s) from the mobile source, including any emissions reduction from a baseline or target level.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, a MERC is provided as a function of any significant and measurable surplus emission reduction 100. Surplus emission reduction 100 is generally the difference between the emissions baseline or target level 101 and the reduced emissions level 102. Accordingly, the first step in the second stage of the preferred embodiment is to determine a baseline or target level 101. This is performed in a number of ways.

A target level 101 may be dictated by or derived from a government or regulatory body 19a. For example, a regulatory body may require that certain sized trucks or cars have emissions levels of certain pollutants at or below a given level. Based on this model, the target level 101 would be set by the regulatory body and any reduction below the target level 101 would be a surplus emission reduction SE for that pollutant. The target level 101 may also be determined based on the present day average emissions of the subject pollutant from the subject mobile source as evidenced by fleet records 19b. Industry standards may also be used to determine an average and target level 101 for the particular pollutant(s) and mobile source 19c.

In the preferred embodiment, the baseline or target 101 is determined using a PEMS 24. In this way, any reduction is an actual and non-simulated reduction for the particular mobile source and pollutant and is not an estimate. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, a PEMS capable of reading the selected pollutant and adapted to be used with the selected mobile source is provided 21 and connected to the mobile source 22. The PEMS is then used to measure the selected pollutant from the mobile source 23. These measurements are then analyzed to determine a quantifiable emissions baseline 24. Referring to the testing configuration shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment a PEMS 60 is temporarily connected to the exhaust system of mobile source 66 and with an engine computer link 61 to the mobile source's engine 63 control unit. In the preferred embodiment, pollutant concentrations are obtained from a sample line or probe 62 inserted into the tailpipe 64 of vehicle 66 and this data is then combined with readings from the engine 63 control unit to determine the emissions of the selected pollutant. Baseline emissions are measured and an emissions baseline level 101 is determined as a function of such measurements.

After taking first baseline measurements 23, mobile source 66 is modified with the emissions reduction technology 25. As shown in FIG. 2, multiple emission reduction technologies 65a-b are applied. In this embodiment, an exhaust filtering technology 65a and an aerodynamic technology 65b are applied to truck 66. Once the emission reduction technology has been applied, the PEMS is again connected to the vehicle 26 and used to take measurements of the modified mobile source 28. This PEMS data is then analyzed to develop a modified emissions amount or level 29.

The modified emissions level is then compared to the baseline emissions level 30. If the modified emissions level is significantly and measurably less than the baseline emissions level 101, then it may meet the criteria for a reduced emission level 102 in FIG. 3 and may provide as a surplus emissions reduction 100. This surplus emission reduction 100 is then converted 31 into a tradable commodity such as a MERC. In a preferred embodiment, surplus emissions reduction 100 is the difference between the baseline emissions level 101 determined from the PEMS data taken of the mobile source prior to its modification with the emissions reduction technologies. However, as indicated above, in alternative embodiments, the surplus emission reduction 100 may be determined as a function of an emissions target level 101 dictated by industry standard, fleet records or a regulatory or governmental body. In this case, the surplus emissions reduction 100 is the difference between reduced emissions level 102 and the subject target 19, rather than the calculated baseline 24.

If it is determined that a significant and measurable reduced emissions level 102, and thus a surplus emission reduction 100, has not been achieved with the emission reduction technology, the system allows for a number of options. First, different or additional emissions reduction technologies can be applied to the mobile source and steps 25-30 repeated. With these further modifications, the PEMS is again connected to the mobile source 26, additional measurements taken 28, such data analyzed to develop a modified emissions level 29, and the modified emissions level compared to the baseline to determine whether a significant and measurable surplus emission reduction has been achieved 30 with the new emission reduction technology or combination of emission reduction technologies. Alternatively, if required by a regulatory body and if the mobile source has emissions amounts that are greater than a target level 47, then the system allows for determining such a non-compliant emissions level 104 and a liability value 46 to the subject mobile source. This liability value may then be used later in step 45 to assign a liability value to a purchaser's or customer's account. Alternatively, the program is terminated 48 for that particular mobile source, pollutant or emission reduction technology.

If a reduced emissions level 102 is achieved, the differential surplus emissions 100 between the reduced level 102 and the baseline level 101 is converted into one or more MERCs 31. The conversion may include transferring the reduction into the applicable units of pollutant being traded and then determining the number of MERCs corresponding to the surplus emissions 100. These units and the ratio applied to convert the amount of the surplus emission reduction 100 into MERCs may depend upon the requirements of the overseeing regulatory body or authority for the program or the standards of the potential purchasers of the MERCs. Various units of measurements may be used, such as grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour. It is contemplated that the MERCs may simply be the amount of reduction of the pollutant in the applicable units. Thus, the conversion from a surplus emissions reduction 100 to MERCs may be based on a one-to-one ratio.

This stage also includes verification steps 50. Periodically during the life of the mobile source, the PEMS is again connected to vehicle 26 and used to take measurements of the modified mobile source 28. This PEMS data is then analyzed to verify that the reduced emissions level 102 for the mobile source is still being achieved. If so, the credits are verified and continue. If not, the credits are modified to reflect the chance or are no longer provided, depending on the degree of change.

In the preferred embodiment, a computer system 51 is used to create or identifies a customer account and receives the data for that customer from the PEMS 33. The computer then performs the conversion of the surplus emissions reduction 100 into MERCs by calculating MERCs from the PEMS data and/or target level 35. The computer then credits the MERCs to the subject account 36. As shown in FIG. 4, data from PEMS on multiple mobile sources and from multiple different geographic locations may be received by the computer system and assigned to one or more customer accounts. The data and corresponding MERCs are indexed by pollutant 33a, emission reduction technology 33b, mobile source 33c and/or geographic area or region 33d. Computer system 51 is also used to collect verification data from PEMS and to analyze such data to monitor whether or not the emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide the modified emissions amount and reduced emissions level 102. Computer system 51 can also be provided with updated emissions target levels and can adjust the credits provided as a function of such new emission target levels.

By using a PEMS to determine the emissions reduction surplus and to periodically verify that surplus, the resulting MERCs are based on actually occurring, implemented, and not artificially devised, reductions in emissions, are accurately quantified in terms of amount and characteristics, are verifiable, are relatively permanent as they reflect the actual emissions of a permanently modified mobile source, and are in excess of any target emissions that may be required by rule, regulation or order.

Stage three involves the marketing and monetizing of the MERCs 32. A number of means of trading MERCs are known in the prior art and could be used at this stage. In the preferred embodiment, the MERCs are marketed and monetized by computer system 51. Potential purchasers of MERCs are identified 38. These purchasers are generally non-compliant producers of the subject pollutant(s). Such customers may include stationary sources of the pollutant if an emissions cap or reduction is required and is not being met by the stationary source. Potential customers could also be other mobile sources who are not meeting a required target with respect to emissions of the pollutant. Customers may also include other entities such as states and corporations who are required to reduce their emissions of the pollutant. As shown in FIG. 3, such purchasers generally have a non-compliant emissions level 104 for the pollutant(s) and therefore an emissions liability 103, which is the difference between their non-compliant emissions level 104 and the applicable emissions target level 101. If the emissions liability 103 is known, the system proceeds with offering to sell MERCs to the purchaser in an amount needed to off-set all 42a or a portion 42b of the purchaser's liability.

If the purchaser does not have a known liability, but is required to determine if it is non-compliant, and such potential purchaser has mobile sources, in the preferred embodiment the system is used to calculate the emissions of the purchaser's mobile source in a manner similar to step 46. A PEMS is provided and connected to the second mobile source and pollutants from that mobile source are measured to determine the emissions level for the subject pollutant 44. Based on the measured amounts, the system then determines the emissions liability 103, namely the amount of the emissions level 104 over the emissions target 101 for that pollutant and mobile source. Based on this amount, a liability value is assigned to the purchaser 45.

Once a potential purchaser has been identified, the system then identifies available credits 39 and offers or makes those credits available for purchase 40. Based on the program under which the credits are traded, the MERCs can be made available for purchase worldwide or by geographic region. Also, the credits can be offered from a single customer or the system can identify multiple customers who have MERCs available for purchase and can pool such MERCs 40a and make the pooled credits available for purchase. The system then accepts payment from the purchaser 41 for the MERCs. The MERCs are then debited from the customer's account, or from multiple customer accounts if they have been pooled, and transferred to the purchaser 42. The purchase of the MERCs may be in such quantities as to offset all of the assigned liability of the purchaser 42a or may be purchased to offset just a portion of the assigned liability 42b. If the purchaser purchases enough credits to offset all of that purchaser's assigned liability, the system can certify the purchaser as being neutral 42c. The MERCs are offered for purchase at a price to be determined on the open market. Thus, the price of the MERCs fluctuates based on demand.

The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the method and system has been shown and described, and several embodiments discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of: identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;providing a mobile source;providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount;applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;taking second measurements of said modified mobile source;analyzing said second measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;quantifying the mobile emissions reduction produced by said emissions reduction technology; andconverting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of marketing said tradable commodity.

3. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of monetizing said tradable commodity.

4. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said tradable commodity is a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC).

5. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising the step of marketing said MERC.

6. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising the step of monetizing said MERC.

7. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of converting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity comprises the step of converting said reduction or a portion of said reduction into at least one tradable credit.

8. The method set forth in claim 7, and further comprising the step of marketing said credit.

9. The method set forth in claim 7, and further comprising the step of monetizing said credit.

10. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of converting said mobile emissions reduction into a tradable commodity comprises the steps of: receiving information to identify a customer account;assigning said mobile emissions reduction to said customer account;calculating a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) from said mobile emissions reduction; andcrediting said MERC to said customer account.

11. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the step of exchanging said MERC in said customer account for monetary assets.

12. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the step of debiting said MERC from said customer account.

13. The method set forth in claim 10, and further comprising the steps of: receiving information to identify a second customer or purchaser account;calculating an emissions amount of said pollutant for said second account;assigning a liability value to said emissions amount for said second account.

14. The method set forth in claim 13, and further comprising the steps of: accepting payment from said second customer;using said payment to purchase at least one MERC for said second customer;crediting said MERC as assets against said liability value assigned to said second customer for said emissions amount;whereby the emissions amount and liability value in said second customer account is reduced accordingly.

15. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

16. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

17. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

18. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

19. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

20. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said baseline emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight.

21. The method set forth in claim 20, wherein said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

22. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of: taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

23. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

24. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of: providing a computer system;inputting said baseline emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; andmarketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

25. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of: identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;providing a mobile source;providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;taking measurements of said modified mobile source;analyzing said measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;determining a target emissions amount;determining the difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount; andconverting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity.

26. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of marketing said tradable commodity.

27. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of monetizing said tradable commodity.

28. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said tradable commodity is a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC).

29. The method set forth in claim 28, and further comprising the step of marketing said MERC.

30. The method set forth in claim 28, and further comprising the step of monetizing said MERC.

31. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of converting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity comprises the step of converting said difference into at least one tradable credit.

32. The method set forth in claim 31, and further comprising the step of marketing said credit.

33. The method set forth in claim 31, and further comprising the step of monetizing said credit.

34. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of converting said difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into a tradable commodity comprises the steps of: receiving information to identify a customer account;assigning said difference to said customer account; andcalculating a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) from said difference; andcrediting said MERC to said customer account.

35. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the step of exchanging said MERC in said customer account for monetary assets.

36. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the step of debiting said MERC from said customer account.

37. The method set forth in claim 34, and further comprising the steps of: receiving information to identify a second customer account;calculating an emissions amount of said pollutant for said second account;assigning a liability value to said emissions amount for said second account.

38. The method set forth in claim 37, and further comprising the steps of: accepting payment from said second customer;using said payment to purchase at least one MERC for said second customer;crediting said MERC as assets against said liability value assigned to said second customer for said emissions amount;whereby the emissions amount and liability value in said second customer account is reduced accordingly.

39. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

40. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

41. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

42. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

43. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

44. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said target emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight and said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

45. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the steps of: taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

46. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

47. The method set forth in claim 25, and further comprising the steps of: providing a computer system;inputting said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; andmarketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

48. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said step of determining a target emissions amount comprises the steps of: providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount.

49. The method set forth in claim 25, wherein said target emissions amount is a function of a regulation or standard.

50. A method for providing a mobile emissions reduction credit or other tradable commodity, comprising the steps of: identifying an emissions reduction technology for a pollutant;providing a mobile source;providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;applying said emissions reduction technology to said mobile source to provide a modified mobile source;connecting said PEMS to said modified mobile source;taking measurements of said modified mobile source;analyzing said measurements to develop a modified emissions amount;determining a target emissions amount;determining the difference between said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount;registering for a seller said emissions reduction technology or said pollutant;assigning to said seller a mobile emissions reduction credit (MERC) that is a function of said difference in said emissions;making said MERC available for purchase;receiving a purchase request from a purchaser for said MERC;matching said seller and purchaser; andcrediting said MERC to an account of said purchaser as an asset.

51. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said step of making said MERC available for purchase comprises pooling said MERC in a pool with other MERC values from a plurality of sellers having MERC values associated with said technology or said pollutant.

52. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of receiving a fee from said purchaser.

53. The method set forth in claim 52, wherein said fee is obtained prior to crediting said MERC to the account of said purchaser.

54. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of purchasing an amount of MERC from a seller sufficient to offset a liability value for said pollutant assigned to said purchaser.

55. The method set forth in claim 54, and further comprising the step of certifying said purchaser as being neutral as a result of said offset.

56. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said pollutant is selected from a group consisting of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxides (CO), carbon dioxides (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

57. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said emissions reduction technology is selected from a group consisting of alternative fuels, vehicle repairs, vehicle replacements, vehicle retrofits and hybrid engines.

58. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source is selected from a group consisting of passenger cars, light trucks, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road recreational vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, aircraft, locomotives and water vessels.

59. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source comprises an exhaust system and said PEMS is connected to said mobile source by a temporarily connection to said exhaust system.

60. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said mobile source comprises a combustion engine and said PEMS is connected to said engine and is adapted to sense operating parameters of said engine.

61. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said baseline emissions amount is measured in units translatable into a commoditized weight.

62. The method set forth in claim 61, wherein said units are selected from a group consisting of grams per mile, grams per gallon and grams per brake-horsepower-hour.

63. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the steps of: taking third measurements of said modified mobile source after taking said second measurements;analyzing said third measurements to verify said modified emissions amount.

64. The method set forth in claim 50, and further comprising the step of periodically monitoring said modified mobile source with said PEMS to determine if said emissions reduction technology is continuing to provide said modified emissions amount.

65. The method set forth in claim 60, and further comprising the steps of: providing a computer system;inputting said target emissions amount and said modified emissions amount into said computer system;processing said amounts to determine a number of mobile emissions reduction credits for said pollutant; andmarketing said mobile emissions reduction credits.

66. The method set forth in claim 50, wherein said step of determining a target emissions amount comprises the steps of: providing a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) adapted to measure emissions of said pollutant;connecting said PEMS to said mobile source;taking first measurements of said pollutant from said mobile source;analyzing said measurements to develop a baseline emissions amount.