From Angela C. Jones comes this CRS InFocus 2-pager (4 February 2021): EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program'
Download CRS_InFocus_EPA_GHG_Rpt_Pgm_4Feb2021
Click on the graphic to display or enlarge it.
Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires certain facilities to report their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In addition, the GHGRP requires suppliers of specific products, such as natural gas and petroleum, to report the GHG emissions that would ultimately result from the use of their products. Since 2011, the GHGRP has collected annual emissions data from nearly 8,000 large industrial facilities and other sources in the United States. According to EPA, 85%-90% of annual man-made U.S. GHG emissions have been reported under the programGHGRP Authorities and Purpose
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161) provided $3.5 million for EPA to develop and publish a rule that would “require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions above appropriate thresholds in all sectors of the economy of the United States.” In the accompanying joint explanatory statement, Congress directed EPA to “use its existing authority under the Clean Air Act” to promulgate this rule, and stated that EPA “shall have discretion to use existing reporting requirements for electric generating units under Section 821 of the Clean Air Act.” In its initial 2009 GHGRP rulemaking, EPA also cited Clean Air Act (CAA) Sections 114 and 208 as providing “broad authority to require the information mandated” by the reporting rule.The GHGRP requires reporting from facilities in nearly all categories of direct emissions sources and from suppliers of certain fuels and industrial GHGs in the United States, but does not impose emissions limits. The broad scope of emissions data collected from these sources allows the agency to assess trends in emissions over time and within industry sectors for use in agency policy and programs. For example, EPA uses the data in evaluating and implementing GHG mitigation policies, including CAA New Source Performance Standards and CAA voluntary GHG reduction programs, among others. EPA states that the GHGRP is one part of the overall U.S. effort to address climate change, alongside other federal and state GHG emissions-related programs. In addition, EPA uses the facility-level GHGRP data to help prepare the agency’s annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, which is submitted to the United Nations in accordance with the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Cutting to the chase...
Issues for Congress
Congress may consider several policy issues related to GHGRP statutory authority and regulatory oversight. Congress may consider how the application and scope of GHGRP regulations align with EPA’s stated goal of enhanced understanding of GHG emissions in the United States now and in the future. For example, policymakers could consider expanding the scope of sources required to report and/or adjust the emissions reporting threshold for particular sources.Congress may consider whether EPA resources are adequate and being used efficiently to carry out the GHGRP under the CAA. Some analysts expect that the number of facilities required to report will expand in the future, particularly for CO2 underground injection facilities. Policymakers may consider the implications of potentially increased data collection and verification responsibilities on EPA capacity and resources.
Congress may also consider how GHGRP data might inform future legislative efforts. EPA has now collected 10 years of data on direct GHG emissions, fuel and GHG suppliers, and industry-specific emissions trends. Policymakers may consider how this information, as well as future GHGRP data, could be used in potential future legislation relating to GHG mitigation or climate change policy.
Enjoy!
“When the search for truth is confused with political advocacy, the pursuit of knowledge is reduced to the quest for power.” - Alston Chase
Comments