Environmental

Industrial emissions in the US are not being accurately recorded due to outdated monitoring equipment. Although recommendations have been made to the EPA to adopt more advanced monitoring equipment, such as the types used in Europe, the EPA has no plans to implement them. A 2006 report by the EPA inspector general found that emissions estimates were incorrect due to outdated formulas. To install such equipment would be costly to oil and chemical plants and would result in higher fines, as currently used technology is underestimating emissions. Industry and EPA officials contend that the more advanced equipment, which utilizes lasers and remote sensors, among other technologies, cannot adequately estimate annual emissions. Currently, US plants make estimates based on leak detection.

Source: Associated Press

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