Biden rule aims to reduce methane emissions, targeting US oil and gas industry for global warming

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The Biden administration has taken a significant step towards addressing climate change by issuing a final rule aimed at reducing methane emissions, with a specific focus on the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. This move aligns with President Joe Biden’s commitment to advancing his climate legacy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined that this new rule will result in a substantial reduction in methane emissions and other harmful air pollutants generated by the oil and gas sector. The key objectives of the rule include promoting the adoption of cutting-edge methane detection technologies and delivering substantial public health benefits. These benefits include a reduction in hospital visits, fewer lost school days, and even a decrease in mortality rates, as air pollution from oil and gas operations has been linked to cancer, harm to the nervous and respiratory systems, and birth defects.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House Climate adviser Ali Zaidi announced this final rule at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai, highlighting the global significance of this initiative. Notably, oil and gas operations are identified as the largest industrial source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. In the short term, methane is far more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its warming potential and is responsible for approximately one-third of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, reducing methane emissions is considered a global priority to mitigate the pace of climate change, making it a central topic at the climate conference, known as COP28.

Leaders from nations around the world, including presidents, prime ministers, and royalty, have pledged to reduce their countries’ greenhouse gas emissions. They have urged their counterparts to do the same, emphasizing the collective effort required to combat climate change.

The methane rule represents a concrete manifestation of President Biden’s commitment to addressing climate change. It originates from a proposal he introduced at a UN climate conference in Scotland in 2021, which was subsequently expanded upon at a climate conference in Egypt a year later. This rule reinforces Biden’s initial commitments with decisive action, aiming to significantly reduce methane emissions and other air pollutants that pose risks to communities.

A notable aspect of this rule is its broad scope, targeting emissions from existing oil and gas wells across the United States, in contrast to previous EPA regulations that primarily focused on new wells. Additionally, the rule addresses smaller wells, mandating that they actively seek and rectify methane leaks. Currently, these smaller wells undergo initial inspections but are rarely checked again for leaks. Despite their relatively modest contribution to the nation’s oil and gas production, studies have revealed that smaller wells can account for up to half of methane emissions from well sites.

Furthermore, the rule will introduce a requirement for energy companies to phase out routine flaring of natural gas produced by new oil wells, contributing to methane reduction efforts.

This methane rule is pivotal in ensuring that the United States meets its commitment, along with more than 100 other nations, to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. It complements a methane fee established in the 2022 climate law, which will come into effect in the near future. This fee will impose charges on energy producers exceeding a specific threshold of methane emissions, marking the first direct imposition of a fee or tax on greenhouse gas emissions by the U.S. government. The law does allow exemptions for companies that adhere to EPA standards or fall below certain emissions thresholds. Additionally, it allocates funds for grants and other initiatives to assist companies and local communities in improving monitoring, data collection, and the identification and repair of natural gas leaks.

Various environmental and health organizations have applauded this new rule, highlighting its significance for public health and environmental justice. Methane emissions, which can occur at every stage of oil and gas production, have raised concerns for people living in proximity to these operations. The rule’s implementation is seen as a crucial step in advancing environmental justice commitments.

In conclusion, the Biden administration’s methane rule is a substantial move towards addressing climate change by targeting methane emissions from the U.S. oil and gas industry. Its broad scope, combined with the methane fee established in the 2022 climate law, reflects the commitment of the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health. This action sets a precedent for operators worldwide, emphasizing the urgency of addressing methane as a key climate risk.

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• Biden’s Methane Rule: Targeting Oil and Gas Emissions – EPA’s official fact sheet on the proposed methane rule.
• Methane Emissions and Climate Change – Information on the role of methane in climate change from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• United Nations Climate Change Conferences – Information on UN climate conferences where global climate goals are discussed.
• 2022 Climate Law and Methane Fee – The text of the 2022 climate law that includes provisions related to methane emissions and fees.
• American Lung Association – The official website of the American Lung Association, which has expressed support for the methane rule and its public health benefits.
• Environmental Defense Fund – The official website of the Environmental Defense Fund, which has commented on the significance of the methane rule for climate protection.
• Natural Resources Defense Council – The official website of the Natural Resources Defense Council, where a climate expert’s perspective on the methane rule is mentioned.