More than 30% of methane released in the U.S. in 2017 was from oil and natural gas operations, according to EPA.
Major oil and natural gas companies like Shell, BP and Exxon have said they support federal limits on methane emissions and are already taking steps to reduce emissions and prevent leaks.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images, FILE
Two new Williams Transco pipelines used for transporting natural gas liquids lie exposed at the edge of a cornfield October 6, 2017, in Lebanon, Penn.
“I urged the Administration earlier this year to write a rule for existing sources because I believe EPA’s commitment to cost-effective regulations makes it uniquely qualified to write a workable rule,” Shell U.S. President Gretchen Watkins said in a statement.
“Shell remains committed to achieving our target of maintaining methane emissions intensity below 0.2% by 2025 for all operated assets globally. Despite the Administration’s proposal to no longer regulate methane, Shell’s U.S. assets will continue to contribute to that global target. Additionally, Shell remains committed to cutting the Net Carbon Footprint of our energy products by around half by 2050. While the law may change in this instance, our environmental commitments will stand.”
Isdal said the agency also considered smaller producers and that the rule doesn’t preclude companies from taking additional steps to reduce methane emissions. An EPA fact sheet shows the changes would result in an estimated 370,000 short tons of methane emissions that would have been prevented under the old rule and the EPA says the proposal would save the oil and natural gas industry $17 to $19 million a year.
Methane accounts for roughly 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity in the U.S, according to EPA data, mostly from natural gas production and livestock operations.
(MORE: Rising methane levels may be thwarting climate change efforts)
Like many of the administration’s proposals the rule is expected to face legal challenges from environmental groups that slammed the proposed rule, saying it gives the oil and gas industry a free pass and negates the argument that natural gas is a cleaner source of energy than other fossil fuels.
EPA’s proposed rule will be posted for 60 days of public comment.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
