On Friday, the U.S. government decided to shut down a federal program that tracks greenhouse gas emissions. This move comes as part of former President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts against climate initiatives.
The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) started in 2010 and monitored over 8,000 facilities, including power plants and factories, responsible for 85% to 90% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Critics argue that dismantling this program will hinder efforts to combat climate change.
Trump, who has benefitted from significant support from the fossil fuel industry, has pushed for more oil, gas, and coal extraction while limiting competition from renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), described the GHGRP as “bureaucratic red tape” that doesn’t improve air quality. He noted that the EPA is not legally bound to continue the program, except for collecting methane data.
A climate law passed in 2022 imposed a methane fee on oil and gas but delayed emissions reporting until 2034 due to recent Republican legislation. Zeldin confirmed the suspension of data collection until that time.
Experts are concerned about the implications of this decision. Julie McNamara from the Union of Concerned Scientists warned that without verifiable emissions data, accountability would falter at local and national levels. “If we can’t track what facilities are emitting, we can’t hold them responsible,” she said.
Democrats anticipated this shift after seeing documents in spring indicating the upcoming changes. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse highlighted that the GHGRP has provided crucial data for policymakers and scientists for 15 years. He pointed out that this information supports international emissions reporting and allows U.S. industries to demonstrate lower emissions compared to foreign competitors, such as those in China.
Interestingly, public sentiment reflects concern over climate transparency. A recent survey showed that nearly 70% of Americans support strong emissions regulations. As communities become more aware of climate issues, they seek clarity and accountability from industries and the government.
As this story unfolds, it’s clear that the future of climate accountability in the U.S. is at a pivotal moment. For more insights, you can check out the [Union of Concerned Scientists](https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-reporting-program) for detailed information on greenhouse gas emissions.
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U.S., Donald Trump, emissions, climate change, pollution
