EPA To Release Data on Major Greenhouse Gas Sources

As the international climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, winds down, the topic of greenhouse gas emissions and their sources will be a story of interest to many in your audience.

In the US, EPA has been receiving Congressionally-mandated reports on quantities of greenhouse gases emitted by about 7,000 large stationary sources in 28 industry sectors, including power plants, refineries, manufacturers, and landfills. The agency said on Aug. 22, 2011, that it will publish by the end of 2011 the first round of annual data reported, for 2010. This data should provide a useful tool for media coverage on sources, impacts, and mitigation efforts, if any.

• Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program; Aug. 22, 2011, press release; media contact: Cathy Milbourn, 202-564-7849.

New regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants (the largest source category in the US) and refineries (the second largest direct stationary source) have each been pulled off the table by EPA (the former in September 2011, and the latter in November 2011, with the support of litigants who had previously signed consent decrees in 2010 with the agency). The regulations may be proposed some time in 2012. To keep tabs on this, see:

• EPA, "Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions."

For numerous starting points on background information related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, check out:

• EPA, Climate Change.
• SEJ, Climate Change Guide.