The electricity sector has reported a significant decrease in emissions of oxides of nitrogen to air in the latest data from the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI).

Releasing the third-year data today, Federal Environment and Heritage Minister Dr David Kemp said 2,356 facilities were now reporting to the NPI, up from 1,937 facilities last year.

"An Internet database detailing the types and amounts of pollutants being emitted to the environment, the NPI gives Australians consistent and accessible information about emissions across the nation," Dr Kemp said.

"Seventy eight sectors were required to report in 2000-2001, compared with only 28 when reporting commenced in 1998-1999. Next year 81 sectors will be required to report.

"As the NPI continues to improve, it provides a much clearer insight into the environmental performance of specific industry sectors and individual facilities.

"One sector showing major improvements is the electricity supply sector, where facilities have reported a drop of more than 20,000 tonnes in emissions of oxides of nitrogen to air for facilities in the last two years.

"Another stand out example is Queensland's Mount Isa Mines operation in Mount Isa, which has cut emissions of many substances in the past two years by such improvements as installing an acid plant and improving pollutant collection equipment."

Dr Kemp said a national electronic reporting tool developed with the Victorian Government had significantly improved reporting procedures.

"Simplified reporting procedures are just one of the improvements to the Inventory," he said. "More companies are reporting - most markedly in Queensland, but also in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. We are working to improve the NPI further through implementing a number of recommendations of the recently released review by Professor Ian Rae of the University of Melbourne."

"The NPI is becoming a true partnership with States and Territories to encourage Australian industry to continue to clean up its act."

Australians can find out more about emissions of harmful substances to the environment at the NPI website: www.npi.gov.au. The site also carries a new mapping tool that allows users to search for reporting facilities in their area. Information is also available at 1800 657 945.