UMass Amherst Identifies Major Corporate Polluters in Latest Report

Recent findings from UMass Amherst's Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) have highlighted some of the most prolific corporate polluters in the United States, with Marathon Petroleum, Vistra Energy, Standard Industries, and Dow Chemical taking the lead. These companies were identified through the Greenhouse 100 and Toxic 100 indexes, which track emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants respectively. The data for these indexes is based on reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the year 2022 [d0d670a2].

The report reveals that the top four greenhouse gas emitters are Marathon Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Valero Energy, and Phillips 66, each responsible for over 240 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. Additionally, Vistra, Southern Company, and Duke Energy are noted as the top three greenhouse gas polluters, each releasing more than 75 million metric tons of emissions [d0d670a2].

In terms of air pollution, Standard Industries has been identified as the leading contributor, while Dow Chemical tops the water pollution index. The indexes also incorporate Environmental Justice (EJ) indicators, which highlight the significant impacts of pollution on minority communities, underscoring the need for equitable environmental policies [d0d670a2].

The goal of these indexes is to promote public awareness and encourage community participation in environmental decision-making processes. By shedding light on the major contributors to pollution, UMass Amherst aims to foster accountability among corporations and drive efforts toward more sustainable practices [d0d670a2].

In a broader context, cutting down methane emissions has emerged as a critical focus for energy cooperation, particularly between the Philippines and the United States. US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez, emphasized that the Philippines could reduce 75% of its methane emissions using existing technology, aligning with the Global Methane Pledge that aims for a 30% reduction in methane emissions globally by 2030. This collaboration presents a significant opportunity for the Philippines to make strides in addressing methane pollution and its associated environmental and health impacts [5fcefef0].

Furthermore, satellite images from Kayrros have identified the world's largest methane-polluting sites, including those in the United States, which has implemented stringent regulations to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The regulations aim for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030 compared to 2020 levels, highlighting the urgent need for action in both corporate and governmental spheres [5ef167e0].