Whitehouse Applauds New Methane Standards for Oil and Gas Industry

Press Release

Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final standards for methane pollution from new and modified sources in the oil and gas industry. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with a long record of advocating for action to limit methane emissions related to oil and gas production and transmission, released the following statement on today's announcement:

"Over the short term, methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and oil and gas production account for the largest share of methane emissions in the United States. We need to put in place strong standards to limit methane pollution, to protect the public from the harm it can do in our atmosphere and eliminate waste along the supply chain. I'm glad to see the EPA taking action to address this threat to our climate, and continuing to show American leadership following the historic Paris Agreement."

Whitehouse has been fighting for federal action on methane. In January, Whitehouse, along with Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 19 other Senators, called on EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to regulate methane from existing oil and gas sources in addition to strengthening the rule for new and modified sources. Whitehouse and his colleagues cited "studies that have shown that almost 90 percent of projected emissions in 2018 will come from oil production and existing natural gas production" and noted that current policies will not allow the Administration to achieve its stated goals for reducing methane emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. Whitehouse has written to the Obama Administration seeking to "ensure that EPA exercises its authority expeditiously to control methane pollution and its harmful effects." Whitehouse also drafted recommendations to the Administration for limiting methane emissions from oil production on federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf.

The EPA also announced today that it has begun the process of collecting information for a forthcoming rule on existing sources of methane from the industry--an effort the Obama Administration signaled earlier this year. At present, millions of tons of methane pollution and toxic chemicals leak into our environment every year from oil and gas production facilities.

"We can't ignore the dangerous methane already contaminating our atmosphere," said Whitehouse. "I'm encouraged the EPA is beginning to address methane pollution from existing sources and hope it moves quickly to put strong standards in place."

In addition to its contribution to climate change, this methane and toxic chemical pollution can exacerbate smog in many areas of the country, trigger asthma attacks in children and at-risk groups, and cause cardiovascular disease across a range of populations.

Source