U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) and his committee colleagues U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL) this week voiced support for newly released federal data showing that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to decrease.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Nov. 9 released 2019 GHG data showing that between 2018 and 2019, total reported GHG emissions from large facilities fell nearly 5 percent. The data are consistent with the decade-long trend from 2011-2019 in which total reported GHG emissions from large facilities decreased by more than 14 percent and power plant GHG emissions dropped 25 percent, according to the EPA.
“The United States continues to lead the world in energy innovation and reduced emissions, in no small part due to the hard work of President Trump’s EPA and Department of Energy,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement released on Monday. “These recently released statistics on lowered GHG emissions are welcome news.”
This is the tenth year of data collection for most sectors under the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). As directed by Congress, EPA collects annual, facility-level emissions data from major industrial sources, including power plants, oil and gas production and refining, iron and steel mills, and landfills. GHGRP also collects activity data from upstream fossil fuel and industrial gas suppliers. More than 8,000 direct emitters and suppliers report GHG data to GHGRP, according to the EPA.
While the data collected is useful from an informational perspective, the EPA said it also serves to assist industry in evaluating opportunities for further GHG emission reductions.
“We will continue to work in Congress on realistic, bipartisan ways to address climate change risks by promoting innovation and accelerating competitive deployment of clean energy technologies, while safeguarding our energy security, growing American prosperity, and ensuring reliable, affordable electricity is available to all Americans,” the lawmakers said, noting that their committee will “remain steadfast in our commitment to these goals.”
Rep. Upton serves as Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader and Rep. Shimkus is the Republican Leader of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee.