DeGette, Colleagues Applaud New EPA Rule Curbing Methane Emissions

Washington, DC – Five members of Congress who have been pushing for new regulations on methane emissions across the United States applauded the release today of the Environmental Protection Agency’s finalized rule for methane limits in the oil and gas sector.

“This long-awaited move by the EPA will help keep Americans healthy and safe,” said Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD). “We now have enforceable national standards to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas sector. This will help prevent and mitigate dangerous industrial leaks, reduce waste, and protect public health. Having proven, low-cost safeguards in place is an important step toward cleaner skies and curbing climate change.”

The finalized rule came after 75 House members sent a letter in March calling on the EPA to finalize proposed rules for new and modified sources of methane emissions and to develop proposals to regulate existing sources of methane in the oil and gas industry. EPA also announced today next steps in developing a rule for methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources.

Under the EPA’s new rule, companies will be required to find and repair current leaks, improve their methods of capturing natural gas from fracking operations , control new and modified pneumatic pump emissions, and limit emissions at natural gas transmission compressor stations.

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