Insight EPA Offers Clues on Greenhouse Gas Regulation
SAM BATKINS | JANUARY 11, 2012
Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled major greenhouse gas data: “Release and Demonstration of the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program’s Data Publication Tool.” In furtherance of regulating stationary greenhouse gas sources, EPA is using the tool to illustrate emission sites to the general public.
In 2008, EPA started collecting and data relating to the major greenhouse gas pollutants. In April of 2009, the protocol for this project was completed, and data collection for this emissions analysis tool began.
Today, EPA launched data of 2010 national emissions, showing emissions statistics for Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Methane (CH4), PFC-14 (CF4), PFC-116 (C2F6), and HFC-23 (HCF3).
By using Google earth, the technology places the major industrial sites on a map, and allows for the general public to view the emission rates of each specific factory measured. Specific data is recorded in metric tons for 2010.
The goal of the tool will enable the general public to view comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) data from some of the largest facilities and suppliers throughout the nation. Users may search any of the nine industry groups classified: power plants, refineries, chemicals, other industrial, landfills, metals, minerals, pulp and paper, and government and commercial. It allows point source specific location emission statistics for each industry.
EPA did exclude agricultural and land emissions, causing a massive data shift. For example, the U.S. food system contributes nearly 20 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions and agricultural land use contributes 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Although EPA is not able to monitor the totals of other major emission sources, as they are outside its jurisdiction, it becomes questionable why EPA did not collaborate with USDA or other agencies to complete a total emission spectrum model. EPA also strangely excluded some prominent halogenated gases. As previously stated by the EPA:
“Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (i.e., CFCs, HCFCs, and halons).”
EPA did not explain why only Fluoroform, Tetrafluoromethane, and Hexafluoroethane were included in the model, specifically when EPA mandates sulfur hexafluoride by name in classification of “High Global Warming Potential” gases.
AMERICANACTIONFORUM.ORG Overall, the tool provides clues to where and how EPA intends to regulate GHG emissions. However, the following limitations must be considered when examining the data: 1) largest emitters may be absent, 2) data does not contain total emission information for the United States, and 3) data presented does not contain all potential large emission molecules. These considerations offer a skewed bias. EPA’s Gina McCarthy noted that 12 new industry groups will be reporting in 2012, which could address the bias, but until then, this data will remain questionable.
Thomas Hale-Kupiec and Giovanna Longobardo contributed to this report.
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