Why the EPA’s Decision to Stop Collecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Matters for Our Future

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to remove a rule that makes businesses report greenhouse gas emissions. If this happens, many companies, like oil refineries and power plants in places like San Diego, won’t have to disclose their pollution levels anymore.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin argues that the current program just adds unnecessary red tape without improving air quality. This proposal is part of broader changes that have rolled back environmental policies established under previous administrations.

Since President Trump took office, the EPA has made several cuts related to climate initiatives. They funded fewer environmental justice programs and removed “climate change” from their website. This shift in focus might hinder the fight against climate change, especially as we see its effects through extreme weather like floods and fires.

The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has been in place since 2010, requiring large emitters (those producing over 25,000 metric tons of CO2 yearly) to report their numbers. According to the EPA, these businesses account for about half of the nation’s emissions. Zeldin claims scrapping this rule could save businesses around $2.4 billion in costs.

There’s concern, particularly in San Diego, where environmental organizations are feeling the pinch. Funding for clean air projects has already been cut. For instance, the Environment Health Coalition recently lost a $20 million grant, impacting vital projects aimed at improving air quality.

Local activists like Masada Disenhouse from SanDiego350 highlight the irony of scrapping these emissions reports. “Ending these requirements won’t eliminate pollution; it only makes it harder to hold polluters accountable,” she says. With extreme weather worsening, the stakes in this fight could not be higher.

Recent studies show that in 2022, over 70% of Americans expressed concern about climate change, with younger generations particularly vocal on social media about environmental issues. As these attitudes shift, the debate over the EPA’s reporting changes will likely continue to develop into a larger conversation about accountability, health, and climate action.

Here’s a list of major emitters in San Diego and Imperial counties that could be affected by this change.

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Environment,Imperial County,San Diego