Yesterday, the EPA took the bold step of releasing on line comprehensive greenhouse gas data reported directly from facilities in nine industry groups that directly emit large amounts of GHG. The data was also posted for suppliers of certain fossil fuels. The information can now be found online at the EPA's Reporting Program Data and Data Publication Tool.
In making the announcement, Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, stated: "Thanks to strong collaboration and feedback from industry, states and other organizations, today we have a transparent, powerful data resource available to the public. The GHG Reporting Program data provides a critical tool for businesses and other innovators to find cost - and fuel-saving efficiencies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster technologies to protect public health and the environment."
The online tool allows the public to view the data in a variety of ways, including by location, facility type and GHG type emitted.
It will be interesting to see if the transparency of this data will result in a reduction of emissions by these industries. Indeed, this may prove to give meaning to the phrase: "We are watching you"!
The full press release may be viewed here.
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