{"id":20359,"date":"2020-07-27T13:07:37","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T17:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=20359"},"modified":"2020-08-24T19:15:54","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T23:15:54","slug":"data-underscores-need-to-strengthen-pennsylvanias-methane-rule-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2020\/07\/27\/data-underscores-need-to-strengthen-pennsylvanias-methane-rule-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Data underscores need to strengthen Pennsylvania\u2019s methane rule proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>In July, Pennsylvania\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection concluded its public comment period on proposed rules to curb methane emissions from existing oil and gas facilities.<\/p>\n

As the state weighs feedback, EDF analysis<\/a> shows Pennsylvania operators emit over 1 million tons of methane annually \u2014 16 times what they report to regulators \u2014 and underscores the need for rules that close existing loopholes to properly address this climate and public health risk.<\/p>\n

Gov. Tom Wolf\u2019s administration has already demonstrated leadership on methane with permits to cut pollution from new oil and gas infrastructure. Now Pennsylvania has an opportunity to tackle the vast majority of its methane emissions, which come from existing oil and gas facilities.<\/p>\n

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Pennsylvania\u2019s million-ton methane problem<\/strong><\/p>\n

EDF\u2019s analysis, informed by updated production data and the latest peer-reviewed modeling, uncovers a million-ton methane problem in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\nData underscores need to strengthen Pennsylvania\u2019s methane rule proposal <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

Methane<\/a> \u2014 the main component of natural gas \u2014 drives a quarter of current global warming, and curbing this potent greenhouse gas is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to address climate change and the threat it poses to Pennsylvania\u2019s communities and their well-being.<\/p>\n

Recent peer-reviewed science<\/a> underscores the urgent need to address methane from the oil and gas sector, which accounted for 80% of North America\u2019s continuing surge in methane emissions.<\/p>\n

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The more than 1 million tons of methane emitted annually by Pennsylvania oil and gas operators has double the climate impact of all the cars in the state combined, and without stronger rules in place EDF estimates companies will emit nearly 15 million tons of methane pollution by 2030<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last year, Gov. Wolf set the goal<\/a> of curbing Pennsylvania\u2019s climate pollution 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050 and reaffirmed his commitment to, \u201ccontinue reductions of potent greenhouse
\ngasses such as methane.\u201d Attaining those goals is critical for staving off the worst impacts<\/a> of climate change in Pennsylvania, including longer and hotter summers that worsen air pollution, severe weather such as flooding, and higher incidence of vector-borne diseases. Local communities\u2019 health and well-being depends on having strong methane protections in place.<\/p>\n

Data-driven and cost-effective solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fortunately, by strengthening DEP\u2019s proposed existing source rule Pennsylvania can reduce methane emissions by about 60%. As proposed, the current rule would leave nearly half of these reductions on the table, with a broad swath of emissions left unchecked.<\/p>\n

Because methane is the primary constituent of natural gas, capturing emissions and preventing leaks means that oil and gas companies can bring more saleable product to market. In fact, the state\u2019s million-plus tons of methane emissions translate to about 57 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Thankfully, solutions to cutting methane emissions are cost-effective, and the International Energy Agency reports<\/a> that even in today\u2019s low-cost environment one-third of emissions can be reduced at no net-cost.<\/p>\n

Gov. Wolf and the DEP should strengthen its draft rule in two important ways:<\/p>\n