Elimination of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could hamper carbon capture initiatives: assertion by industry association
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed ending its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a move that has raised concerns among the Carbon Capture Coalition. The coalition, which supports policies that enable the commercial deployment of carbon management technology, believes that the long-term success of the carbon management industry depends on the robust reporting mechanisms in place through the EPA.
The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, initially mandated by Congress in 2008, requires organizations in 46 source categories to report their carbon dioxide emissions every year. This program is tied to the federal Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and storage, a credit that is crucial for the petroleum and natural gas industry.
The EPA's proposal would end reporting requirements for natural gas distribution utilities and suspend them for the rest of the petroleum and natural gas category until 2034. According to an agency fact sheet, this change is expected to save the petroleum and natural gas industry $256 million annually. The EPA also estimates that affected companies will save about $303 million a year.
However, the Carbon Capture Coalition estimates that carbon management project developers have invested about $77.5 billion on existing and near-term projects. The coalition, which includes unions, environmental groups, and companies such as Calpine, DTE Energy, GE Vernova, and NRG Energy, has expressed concern that the proposed rule change could impact hundreds of carbon management projects nationwide.
Jessie Stolark, the executive director of the Carbon Capture Coalition, issued a press release expressing concern about the potential impact of the proposed rule change. The coalition believes that the robust reporting mechanisms in place through the EPA are essential for the carbon management industry's success.
The EPA's proposal follows its proposal to deny that carbon dioxide emissions endanger human health and welfare. The Natural Resources Defense Council has criticized the EPA's actions, stating that they reflect a broader pattern of actions across the government to bury climate science data, fire scientific staff, shut down websites with climate information, and halt atmospheric research.
The Biden administration has supported Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as part of a flexible, market-driven approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is no direct mention of the continuation or specific details of the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program in the administration's policies. The EPA will accept comments on the proposal for 47 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
In the face of these proposed changes, the Carbon Capture Coalition continues to advocate for policies that enable the commercial deployment of carbon management technology. The coalition's efforts are crucial in ensuring the success of the carbon management industry and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
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