{"id":12636,"date":"2015-08-27T12:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-08-27T17:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=12636"},"modified":"2016-03-23T18:35:01","modified_gmt":"2016-03-23T23:35:01","slug":"what-the-newly-proposed-epa-methane-rules-mean-for-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2015\/08\/27\/what-the-newly-proposed-epa-methane-rules-mean-for-california\/","title":{"rendered":"What the newly proposed EPA methane rules mean for California"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"OIl<\/a>Last week, the U.S. EPA released a historic proposal<\/a> for new rules to reduce methane emissions<\/a> from the oil and gas industry, a step toward meeting the ambitious national goal of reducing these emissions 40 to 45 percent in the next decade. California is a step ahead, with new regulations already in development to cut methane from oil and gas operations within its borders.<\/p>\n

Even as the rest of the nation begins to catch up, it\u2019s critical that California continues to move forward with developing state standards that complement the federal rules, and go even further when necessary.<\/p>\n

Methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are a massive problem \u2013 the industry emits more than 7 million tons of the potent greenhouse gas each year, equivalent to the 20-year climate impact of 160 coal-fired power plants. And the latest scientific research indicates the problem is even bigger than we think. For example, a study<\/a> published just last week says previously unrecorded emissions from thousands of gathering facilities are eight times higher than estimates, and would increase the current inventory of methane emissions by almost 25 percent.<\/p>\n

Methane is a challenge, but it also presents a big opportunity. Solutions for reducing methane emissions are feasible and highly cost effective, using simple, straightforward measures. That makes cutting methane \u2013 which is more than 80 times as powerful as carbon dioxide in the short term \u2013 the biggest bargain for greenhouse gas reductions in the energy business. For no extra cost, the same measures that reduce methane pollution will reduce other toxic and smog-forming pollutants and improve public health in local communities.<\/p>\n

California, an oil and gas producer, and major user, has serious air quality problems that threaten the state\u2019s environment and public health \u2013 we have some of the highest asthma rates in the nation, highest levels of smog, highest rate of greenhouse gas pollution, and most cities with documented air quality violations of federal health standards. State leaders recognized the role oil and gas methane pollution plays in these issues and last year, the state began developing a series of efforts to cut methane pollution, including:<\/p>\n