EPA targets major reductions of oil and gas methane pollution by 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday stated new goals to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by as much as 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025.

The Obama Administration plans to target methane pollution from new oil and gas facilities in an effort to address climate change amid the U.S. oil and natural-gas boom. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere more effectively than carbon dioxide. Nearly 30 percent of methane emissions in the U.S. in 2012 came from oil and natural-gas development, according to the EPA.

Methane emissions have declined 16 percent since 1990, but are projected to rise by 25 percent over the next decade if nothing is done, according to EPA.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Empowering communities

Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP), part of the UnitedHealthcare family, has pledged its commitment to uplift these communities through substantial investments in organizations addressing the distinct needs of our communities.

Colorado methane regulations took effect last year amid a boom driven by higher production in Weld County, the No. 1 oil- and No. 3 natural-gas producing county in the state.

The state’s first-in-the-nation regulations, which address methane reduction not only at new facilities but existing ones, will complement the EPA’s goals, said Will Allison, director of the state Air Pollution Control Division. The state will know whether it will have to adjust its goals when the EPA releases details of its proposal later this year.

“We’re encouraged by the announcement,” Allison said. “It appears to be very consistent with the work that we already have been doing in Colorado.”

Pete Maysmith, executive director for Conservation Colorado, applauded EPA’s proposal, but said that the agency could go further.

“While the goals are laudable, it’s important that existing pollution sources, in addition to new sources, comply with stringent methane and air pollution standards,” he said. “Through its own strong protections, Colorado has proven that it’s cost effective and achievable to reduce methane pollution from all sources of oil and gas activity.”

The oil and gas industry criticized the goals, with Denver-based Western Energy Alliance calling them “redundant” considering the agency already has implemented similar emissions reduction rules. Both the Western Energy Alliance and American Petroleum Institute cited studies that show a decline in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, said those methane reductions have come from investment in new technologies. He criticized the EPA for singling out the oil and gas industry while noting that methane emissions account for 2 percent of greenhouse gas pollution.

“Onerous new regulations could threaten the shale energy revolution, America’s role as a global energy superpower, and the dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions made possible by an abundant and affordable domestic supply of clean-burning natural gas,” he said.

The EPA estimates that its proposal would save as much as 180 billion cubic feet of natural gas from being wasted, enough to heat more than 2 million homes for a year.

The agency will work with industry, states and others to find ways to reduce emissions, including during oil well completions and from preventing leaks from oil and gas wells.