On September 12, 2025, the United States government proposed eliminating the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), a federal initiative that has collected emissions data from more than 8,000 facilities since its launch in 2010. These facilities include power plants, fuel suppliers, factories, and other industrial operations responsible for 85-90% of the country’s greenhouse gas pollution.
The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, describes the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) as “burdensome” and claims it does not meaningfully improve air quality or public health.
The administration argues that many of the reporting obligations are not required by law, except for certain data (notably methane) under legislation passed in 2022.
According to reports, ending the program may save U.S. businesses up to US$2.4 billion over the next decade.
While most reporting would be suspended, methane emissions from oil and gas companies would still need reporting (because of the 2022 climate law), though the requirement has been delayed until 2034 for many.
The rule is still at the proposal stage, meaning it will undergo a public comment period before any final decision is made.
Environmental groups warn that without facility-level emissions data, the public, researchers, investors, and policymakers will lose crucial tools to monitor pollution and hold major emitters accountable.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has said that for 15 years, GHGRP data has been central to national greenhouse gas inventory, international reporting, and corporate climate disclosure in absence of universal standards. Removing the program could put U.S. industry at a disadvantage relative to foreign competitors in terms of credibility.
Critics argue that reducing emission reporting will impair efforts to track progress toward climate goals, and may lead to increased emissions due to lack of oversight.
Public health concerns are raised given that emission data helps in addressing air quality issues, identifying hotspots of pollution, and shaping environmental regulations.
This move is part of a wider deregulatory agenda under President Trump’s administration, which includes efforts to reverse or weaken other environmental protections (such as the “endangerment finding”) that establish legal grounds for regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. international climate reporting obligations and its standing among global efforts to reduce emissions may be affected if monitoring programs are weakened.
With legal obligations like the 2022 climate law and “Big Beautiful Bill” (as reported) delaying some methane reporting until 2034, there may be gaps in data enforcement.
The proposed ending of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program marks a significant shift in U.S. climate policy, one that could reduce regulatory burdens for industry but at a potential cost to environmental transparency, public health, and international credibility.
While the administration argues for cost savings and reduced “red tape,” critics warn that data is essential if meaningful climate action is to continue. The proposal still needs to pass through legal and public input phases, which could modify or delay final implementation. In the meantime, stakeholders on all sides are likely to engage in a heated debate over how to balance economic concerns with climate responsibility.