Texas’ primary oil and gas regulator, the Texas Railroad Commission, took the unfortunate — though not surprising — step last month of requesting legal action against EPA’s recently finalized commonsense methane rules. This is unfortunate because, once implemented, these rules will protect public health, limit climate change and energy waste. It is not surprising because the RRC (Texas’ oddly named oil and gas regulatory agency) has shown little interest in trying to rein in Texas’ massive problem with oil and gas methane pollution. Texas emits more oil and gas methane pollution than any other state. Despite repeated calls for more oversight from the state agency, the RRC continues to regularly approve permits to flare natural gas, a leading cause of methane pollution.
Energy Exchange
Why Texas’ attempt to delay commonsense methane protections will only shoot itself – and the US oil and gas industry – in the foot.
EDF’s new report looks at Non-Pipeline Alternatives to meet energy needs
By Magdalen Sullivan, Co-Authored by Erin Murphy
Many states are adopting declining emission limits as a way to address the severe and growing dangers of the climate crisis, and that means state utility regulators are grappling with how to decarbonize energy systems, manage costs and meet demand.
Time for Australian policymakers to catch up on methane reporting
Cutting methane emissions from the energy sector is the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to curb global warming even as we decarbonize our energy systems. And the first step is making sure we know how much methane is being emitted, where it’s being released and by whom. As the well-worn adage goes, you can’t fix what you don’t measure.
Wasted Gas, Wasted Royalties – How Common-Sense Climate Policy Can Put Money Back in People’s Pockets
By Aaron Wolfe, and Scott Seymour
EDF economic analysis found that in 2022 oil and gas operators across Alberta wasted $671 million in natural gas, costing the provincial government over $120 million in lost royalties and uncollected corporate taxes. Newly proposed regulations can help prevent wasted gas while also reducing climate pollution.
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New Mexico can protect its citizens by closing an orphan well loophole
By Adam Peltz and Meg Coleman
New Mexico’s legislators have a remarkable opportunity in the coming days to protect New Mexico families, businesses and the environment by revising the antiquated Oil and Gas Act with House Bill 133.
Keep clean hydrogen clean
By Fred Krupp, Manish Bapna and Armond Cohen
Originally published in themessenger.com, December 2023 (no longer in circulation).
It’s a make-or-break moment for hydrogen’s role in our clean energy future. Hailed for its potential to flexibly deliver energy without polluting the climate, hydrogen could be a valuable climate solution if we get it right. That’s why the Biden administration is deploying vast new incentives to jumpstart a new clean hydrogen economy. But hydrogen isn’t without risk, which is why the details of these programs matter.