Groups move to influence proposed methane rule

The oil and natural gas industry’s top lobbying group and a collection of healthcare professionals are among those looking to influence a forthcoming Obama rule on methane emissions. 

Friday was the deadline for comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas wells. The proposed rule is part of an Obama administration strategy to cut methane emissions by up to 45 percent from 2012 levels over the next decade. 

{mosads}The proposed rule focuses on new and modified wells, and requires drillers to use new technologies to track and block leaks — both accidental and purposeful — during the production and transmission of oil and gas. Methane is the key component of natural gas, and a potent greenhouse gas.

The oil and gas industry says new federal standards for methane emissions aren’t necessary, noting that producers already have done a lot to cut emissions on their own.

The American Petroleum Institute noted Friday that natural gas producers have a financial incentive to cutting emissions, because it means they can capture and sell more product on the market.

“EPA’s proposal for additional methane regulations on oil and gas wells and transmission are duplicative and costly,” Howard Feldman, API’s senior director of regulatory and scientific affairs, said Friday. 

“They could also undermine the progress our industry has made lowering greenhouse gas emissions.The fact is that America is already leading the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Even as oil and natural gas production has risen dramatically, methane emissions have fallen, thanks to industry leadership and investment in new technologies.”

Green groups have said a strong methane rule is among the best things Obama can still do to make progress on climate change issues during the remainder of his term. Methane has about 25 times the global warming power of carbon dioxide. 

Public health groups, too, support a new methane rule. In a Friday letter to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, more than 600 public health professionals said a stronger emissions standard would help curb emissions of “toxic and carcinogenic air pollutants, benefiting public health in communities across the country.”

“To protect our children, our communities and the public, the United States must significantly reduce greenhouse gases,” they wrote. 

“Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. Reducing methane is an essential step to reduce the burden of climate change, but the benefits go far outside the impact on the climate. Lifesaving benefits to public health can begin immediately.”

The Obama administration hopes to finalize the methane rule sometime next year.