EPA proposes to end greenhouse gas reporting program
- The EPA proposed to eliminate its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which has tracked emissions from large industrial facilities since 2009.
- Experts are concerned that this decision may lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and a lack of accountability for polluters.
- The proposal raises significant public health and environmental implications, sparking debate over the balance between deregulation and environmental protection.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed in September 2025 to eliminate a mandatory reporting program for greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial facilities. The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, established in 2009, has required over 8,000 facilities, including oil refineries and power plants, to report their emissions annually without facing penalties. The proposal is aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin citing potential savings of up to $2.4 billion for American businesses over the next decade. However, experts have raised significant concerns regarding the implications of this decision. They warn that ending the reporting obligations could lead to a rise in emissions, as companies may no longer be held accountable for their greenhouse gas output. The program has played an essential role in providing data to inform federal policy, as well as allowing companies to demonstrate progress towards emissions reduction to stakeholders, shareholders, and the public. Environmental advocates argue that terminating the program undermines efforts to combat climate change. Commentators, including former EPA official Joseph Goffman, expressed that scrapping the reporting requirement blinds the public to crucial information about climate pollution, thus hindering informed decision-making on policy and health matters. In addition, health experts warned that failing to monitor emissions can adversely affect public health by contributing to climate-driven extremes that result in health emergencies and deteriorating air quality. The proposed measure has been framed by the Trump administration as a pathway to deregulation, aiming to streamline operations by cutting perceived bureaucratic red tape. Critics point out that the loss of transparency might not only restrict public awareness but also reduce the competitive pressure on companies to lower their emissions proactively. As the EPA moves forward with this proposal, a comment period has been announced for stakeholders to voice their opinions before any final decision is made.