Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new source and existing source performance standards for methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

The following is a statement from Jessica Ennis, Legislative Director for Climate and Energy:

“The EPA’s proposal is a positive step by the Biden administration that will help reign in emissions of this potent climate pollutant. We are encouraged that the Biden administration is taking the threat of methane pollution seriously — and we will continue to advocate for the strongest possible standards. Methane and other pollutants emitted along with it seriously threaten the communities impacted by oil and gas facilities. Strong methane standards are necessary to combat the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.”

Background:

In 2016, the Obama administration’s EPA finalized the first-ever nationwide requirements to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Methane is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and is a major contributor to the climate crisis. The Trump administration rolled back this commonsense standard in 2020.

In his day one Executive Order, President Biden directed agencies to consider revising these critical standards. Earlier this year, both chambers of Congress passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind former President Trump’s rollback of the methane pollution EPA standard.