DeGette statement on newly released methane rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new rule regulating methane emissions. As the top Democrat on the House Energy & Climate subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) released this statement:
“Today is a big day in our fight to combat the climate crisis. This rule will allow us to curb some of the most harmful emissions and ensure the U.S. continues to be a global leader in the climate fight.”
“I appreciate the Biden Administration’s leadership on reducing methane emissions, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make even more progress.”
Rep. DeGette has been a leader in the fight to reduce methane emissions. One of the first bills President Biden signed into law was a DeGette-led resolution to restore the stricter methane-emission standards that were in place under the Obama Administration but had been repealed by the Trump Administration. In July, DeGette spoke at the first-ever White House Methane Summit.
Methane emissions are incredibly harmful to public health, and scientists say they are accelerating climate change. As a greenhouse gas, methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Today’s rule from EPA will:
Phase in a requirement to eliminate routine flaring of natural gas that is produced by new oil wells;
Require comprehensive monitoring for leaks of methane from well sites and compressor stations, while giving oil and gas companies flexibility to use low-cost and innovative methane monitoring technologies;
Establish standards that require reductions in emissions from high-emitting equipment like controllers, pumps, and storage tanks;
And more.
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