EPA halts data collection from 8,000 facilities, limiting disclosure to methane emissions

The Trump administration has initiated steps to dismantle the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme (GHGRP), a federal system launched in 2010 to track emissions from more than 8,000 facilities across the United States. These sites, which include power plants, fuel suppliers and factories, account for between 85 and 90 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas output.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Administrator Lee Zeldin, described the programme as “bureaucratic red tape” with little effect on air quality. The agency announced that data collection would be suspended, except for methane emissions that remain subject to a fee under President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate legislation.

The decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader strategy of promoting oil, gas and coal extraction while curbing the growth of solar and wind energy. The EPA argued it is not legally bound to continue the reporting initiative despite its establishment by Congress, citing newer frameworks that defer mandatory disclosure until 2034.

Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and climate scientists, contend that the move will obscure vital emissions information, undermining accountability at domestic and international levels. They noted that GHGRP data have underpinned policy design, scientific research and investment decisions, while also supporting the competitiveness of US industry in meeting global environmental standards.

Observers warn that the rollback could benefit foreign competitors, particularly China, by weakening emissions transparency in the United States at a time when climate governance and data-driven accountability are gaining significance worldwide.