Schatz Welcomes New EPA Rules To Cut Methane From Oil And Gas Facilities
New Rules Follow Schatz Letter to EPA Calling for Further Action to Cut Methane Emissions
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today welcomed new actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Three new rules, finalized by the EPA today, will cut emissions of methane and toxic air pollutants from new, reconstructed, and modified oil and gas sources.
“These new steps taken by the EPA move us closer to our goal of cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels, and are key to our fight against climate change,” said Senator Schatz. “Methane has an outsized effect on climate change and so while these new rules will help us reduce its harmful impact to our atmosphere, we still need to do more. That means cutting methane from not just new oil and gas facilities, but from existing sources as well. By doing so, we can achieve our international commitment to cut emissions and encourage other countries to do the same.”
In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy sent in January, Senator Schatz and a group of 20 senators urged the agency to expand its regulation of methane emissions to existing oil and gas sources.
Methane’s effect on climate change is up to 36 times greater than that of CO2. To address these emissions and reduce the climate footprint of these industries, the president committed to cut methane emissions by 40-45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025 through both voluntary measures and agency rulemakings. To meet this target, more action is needed.
