EPA plans to end greenhouse gas reporting program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to discontinue its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which has tracked emissions from major industrial facilities since 2010. This move aims to reduce regulatory burdens but raises concerns about losing critical data for climate policy. Environmental advocates warn it could hinder efforts to combat climate change.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to terminate the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), a key initiative that has required thousands of facilities to disclose their emissions annually. Launched in 2010 under the Obama administration, the program mandates reporting from sites emitting more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, covering sectors like power plants, oil and gas operations, and manufacturing.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan stated in a recent press release that the decision reflects a commitment to 'streamlining regulations and minimizing unnecessary reporting burdens on businesses.' The agency cited the program's overlap with other federal and state requirements as a reason for its end, with the change potentially taking effect as early as 2025 pending final rulemaking.
The GHGRP currently collects data from approximately 8,000 facilities, providing a comprehensive view of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that informs national inventories, state-level climate strategies, and international commitments under the Paris Agreement. Without it, experts fear a significant data gap. 'This program is the backbone of our understanding of industrial emissions,' said Lena Moffitt, vice president of government affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. 'Ending it without a clear replacement plan is shortsighted and dangerous.'
Critics, including environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argue the move undermines transparency at a time when robust emissions tracking is essential for meeting Biden administration goals to cut U.S. emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. They point out that while some states, such as California with its Cap-and-Trade Program, maintain independent reporting systems, a federal-level void could complicate coordinated national action.
Potential fillers of the gap include voluntary initiatives from industry groups and nonprofits, as well as expanded state efforts. For instance, the Climate Leadership Council has proposed private-sector data platforms, but questions remain about their scope and reliability compared to mandatory federal collection. The EPA has not detailed any transition plans, leaving uncertainty about how subnational and international reporting will adapt.