Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) have urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its proposal to reconsider and potentially cancel the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). In a bipartisan letter addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the senators expressed concern that ending the program would harm American industry’s competitiveness, increase costs, and negatively impact domestic sectors such as carbon capture and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The GHGRP, established in 2009, requires over 8,000 facilities and suppliers across the United States to report their greenhouse gas emissions. According to data collected over 15 years, U.S. industries have become cleaner and more efficient compared to global competitors.
While the EPA has estimated that rolling back the GHGRP could save between $2 billion and $2.4 billion over ten years, Whitehouse and Cramer argue that these savings are small compared to what is at risk. They point out that $77.5 billion in current and near-term investments in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), $30 billion in tax revenue under Section 45Q of the U.S. Tax Code prior to recent legislative changes, additional billions expected under updated frameworks, and significant LNG exports could be jeopardized if reporting requirements are suspended.
The senators highlighted concerns for both CCUS projects—which rely on GHGRP data for tax credit eligibility—and for American-produced LNG exports. They stated: “For the fast-growing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) industry, the GHGRP is essential for claiming the tax credit under Section 45Q of the U.S. Tax Code,” adding that removing or changing reporting rules without a clear alternative would disrupt investments and hinder future leadership in this sector.
They also noted that international markets increasingly require verifiable emissions data for imported fuels such as LNG. The European Union’s standards were cited as an example of rising demand for transparent reporting globally.
In their letter, Whitehouse and Cramer wrote: “The GHGRP supports American industry, bolsters the competitiveness of domestic goods on the international market, and saves time and money.” They concluded by supporting efforts to reduce redundant reporting but cautioned against dismantling existing systems without suitable replacements.
The full text of their letter was filed as a comment in the public docket for consideration by federal agencies.
