Q423. What is the difference between direct emitters and suppliers?
A423. The GHGRP collects data from two types of entities: Direct emitters and Suppliers.
- "Direct emitters" are facilities that combust fuels or otherwise put GHGs into the atmosphere directly from their facility. An example of this is a power plant that burns coal or natural gas and emits carbon dioxide directly into the atmosphere. EPA estimates that the GHGRP data reported by direct emitters covers about half of total U.S. emissions.
- "Suppliers" are those entities that supply products into the economy which if combusted, released or oxidized emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These fuels and industrial gases are not emitted from the supplier facility but instead distributed throughout the country and used. An example of this is gasoline, which is sold in the U.S. and primarily burned in cars throughout the country. The majority of GHG emissions associated with the transportation, residential and commercial sectors are accounted for by these suppliers.
Updated on
Source: EPA Data Publication FAQs http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgdata/faq.html#q1, updated by B. Cook, 1/22/2013
Approval / Publishing History: Version 2, Approved by L. Grogan-McCulloch, 1/22/2013
Expiration: none
Relevant Subpart/Component: GHG Data and Publication