CATF applauds Congressional leaders for introducing resolution to reinstate methane regulations
CATF applauds Congressional leaders for introducing a resolution to reverse a 2020 rescission of methane and other air pollution regulations for the oil and natural gas sector. If passed, this resolution would reinstate methane regulations for the sector, as well as re-establish methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) standards for sources located in the transmission and storage segment.
The oil and natural gas sector is the United States’ highest emitter of methane, which accounts for a quarter of today’s global warming—and levels in the atmosphere are surging.[1] To tackle climate change, we must dramatically reduce methane emissions. In the short-term, methane is more than 80 times more potent than CO2. Quickly and significantly reducing methane pollution, particularly from the oil and natural gas sector, is one of the most important opportunities we have to help slow the rate of climate change now.
“This resolution sends a strong signal that Congress supports the Agency’s efforts to move forward quickly with issuing stronger methane pollution protections,” said Sarah Smith of Clean Air Task Force. “Now we need to see EPA make the most of this opportunity to rein in emissions by using the full power of the Clean Air Act to put in place standards to reduce methane emissions by 65 percent below 2012 levels by 2025.”
