EPA Reports 4 Percent Drop in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2023

The EPA's latest data shows a continued decline in greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources, particularly power plants.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Oct 15, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its latest greenhouse gas data, revealing a 4 percent drop in direct emissions from large stationary sources in 2023 compared to the previous year. 

According to a recent release, the data—collected under the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)—covers more than 8,100 industrial facilities, a total that represents about half of the nation's total emissions.

Power plants were the largest source of emissions, contributing roughly 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. Emissions from power plants have decreased by 7.2 percent from 2022 and have seen a 33.8 percent drop since 2011, largely driven by the shift from coal to natural gas.

Petroleum and natural gas systems reported the second-largest emissions, totaling 322 million metric tons in 2023. However, emissions from this sector rose by 1.4 percent compared to 2022 and are up 16.4 percent since 2016, when new segments of the industry began reporting.

Other large industrial and waste sector facilities reported a combined total of 785 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023, down 1.1 percent from the previous year. These sectors have experienced a 10.3 percent reduction in emissions since 2011.

Overall, large facility emissions have decreased by about 22 percent since 2011, mainly due to declines in power plant emissions. This trend has occurred despite the EPA expanding its tracking program in 2016 to include additional sources.

While the data provides insight into U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, it does not yet reflect the impact of new EPA regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions, particularly from the oil and gas sector. The EPA plans to introduce updated methane reporting requirements and standards for these industries.