Energy Exchange

Widespread public support, new analysis signal urgent need for strong EPA methane protections

By EDF Blogs / Bio / Published: February 27, 2023

Earlier this month, the EPA closed its comment period on proposed oil and gas methane regulations. Over 400,000 individuals and a broad array of public health, environmental justice, conservation, labor, tribal, faith, youth and other interests — including oil and gas producers themselves — voiced support for EPA to use its authority under the Clean Air Act to enact protective pollution safeguards.

EDF, alongside our partner organizations, submitted comments that underscore how cost-effective protective standards are and the need for EPA to swiftly finalize rules that take more protective action to cut pollution from routine flaring.

Here are some of the highlights from EDF’s public comments, which are available here.

Also posted in Air Quality / Language: English / Comments are closed

New study shows huge variation in how different oil companies manage climate pollution – underscores need for more oversight

By EDF Blogs / Bio / Published: February 1, 2023

By Jon Goldstein and Ben Hmiel

For the last several years, researchers have been studying methane emissions in the Permian Basin (the nation’s largest oil field) to try and understand just how much climate pollution specific oil companies may be responsible for. A new study published this week from EDF and Carbon Mapper offers insights into how we answer that question.

Also posted in Air Quality, PermianMAP / Language: English / Comments are closed

The Inflation Reduction Act is a game-changer on methane. Here’s why.

By EDF Blogs / Bio / Published: January 25, 2023

By Edwin LaMair and Grace Smith

The US Congress recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which takes bold action to address the climate crisis. Multiple independent analyses show the bill could reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, providing important support for President Biden’s goal of halving emissions by 2030.

Last week, the EPA requested public input on a key provision of the IRA — the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, MERP, — which works hand-in-hand with forthcoming EPA rules to cut methane from oil and gas operations through a fee on wasteful emissions.

Also posted in Air Quality, Methane regulatons / Language: English / Comments are closed

S&P Global Analysis Says Industry’s Wasted Gas Could Bring Quick Relief to Energy Market

By Matt Watson / Bio / Published: December 7, 2022

Russia’s war on Ukraine has sent painful shockwaves through global gas markets — not only in Europe but across Asia and in developing economies that can least afford it. The crisis is accelerating efforts to transition to cleaner, safer, more reliable energy, while setting off a scramble for new gas supplies to backfill what once came from Russia. How to meet that near-term need without a massive new infrastructure buildout that would undermine climate goals and risk stranding billions in capital? One key solution – identified by EDF, the International Energy Agency and others — lies in the vast amounts of gas currently wasted by the oil and gas industry through flaring, leaks and other emissions.

Also posted in Flaring, General, Methane regulatons / Language: English / Comments are closed

Pennsylvania acts to avert a manufactured crisis to protect its economy, environment and $750 million in federal funds

By EDF Blogs / Bio / Published: November 30, 2022

Image courtesy of Earthworks

By John Rutecki and John Walliser

On Nov. 21^st, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced his administration would pursue a now-approved emergency rulemaking to finalize long-overdue volatile organic compound and methane rules for the conventional oil and gas industry.

Also posted in Air Quality, General / Tagged Pennsylvania | Language: English / Comments are closed

Details, Details: Quiet Action at COP 27 Tees Up a Big Year for Methane

By Mark Brownstein / Bio / Twitter profile / Published: November 21, 2022

It’s no surprise that COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt closed with few groundbreaking headlines. Going in, we knew it would be a “working COP” focused on steps to advance the commitments made at previous gatherings. And while some important steps were made on technical issues and a historic agreement on funding arrangements for loss and damage was sparked, there was real progress in the fight to reduce methane, the pollutant driving nearly a third of current warming.

Posted in Methane / Language: English / Comments are closed