Trump Administration Proposes Ending Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
The EPA, under the Trump administration, proposes to end mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reporting for over 8,000 US facilities and suppliers, potentially saving businesses billions in regulatory costs.
Overview
- The EPA and Trump administration are proposing to terminate programs that require large polluters to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the federal government.
- This proposal aims to halt the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, active since 2010, which mandates over 8,000 US facilities and suppliers to report climate pollution.
- The Trump administration is considering suspending this reporting requirement until 2034, citing that it is not legally mandated and no longer serves its original purpose.
- Eliminating these reporting requirements could save American businesses an estimated $2.4 billion in regulatory costs over the next decade.
- The EPA's decision means fossil fuel producers and major industrial businesses will no longer be compelled to report their emissions under the Clean Air Act.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the negative consequences of the EPA's proposal to end greenhouse gas reporting. They highlight the program's past success in reducing emissions and the risk of increased pollution and reduced public accountability. The narrative suggests the move will "blind Americans" to climate facts and is a "cynical effort" to hide data.
"Removing the rule would save American businesses up to $2.4 billion in regulatory costs over 10 years while maintaining the agency’s statutory obligations under the Clean Air Act, Zeldin said."
Associated PressArticles (4)
FAQ
The GHGRP is designed to require large polluters, including over 8,000 US facilities and suppliers, to report their greenhouse gas emissions annually to the federal government. This program provides facility-level emissions data crucial for policymakers to make informed environmental decisions and prioritize emissions reduction efforts.
The Trump administration argues that the GHGRP is not legally mandated, does not directly impact human health or the environment, and is a costly bureaucratic burden on American businesses, potentially saving them $2.4 billion over the next decade if terminated.
Ending the reporting could lead to a significant reduction in available data on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, hampering the ability to monitor climate pollution and manage climate risks effectively. Experts warn this could undermine efforts to address the climate crisis by removing vital monitoring mechanisms.
Many experts express shock and dismay, likening the proposal to stopping critical health monitoring of a patient. They argue that discontinuing emissions data collection hinders the capacity to manage and mitigate climate threats effectively.
The proposal would end reporting requirements for most large facilities, all fuel and industrial gas suppliers, and CO2 injection sites—reducing mandatory reporting from over 8,000 facilities to about 2,300 facilities primarily in certain sectors of the oil and gas industry.
History
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