On Saturday 12/2 VP Harris announced EPA’s new methane reduction rule, and it’s very strong. This is the actual final rule that is now legally in effect.
According to EPA, this new rule will:
* Phase out routine flaring from NEW oil wells
* Require routine monitoring of all wells and compressor station
* It will use data from certified third parties to identify “super-emitters”
* It will eliminate or minimize emissions from pumps, storage tanks, etc.
* It requires documentation that wells are properly closed and plugged before
monitoring is allowed to end.
* It requires storage tanks, including “tank batteries” of multiple tanks, to reduce emissions by 95 percent.
Remember that methane is 80 times more potent as a greenhouse gas in its first 20 years in the air than carbon dioxide. So this will really help fight climate change. Because many other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) leak when methane leaks, and methane and the other VOCs contribute to ozone, this will help reduce hazardous air pollutants and ozone.
This rule is really good for health. Numerous medical organizations have stated that climate change is the number one health threat that people who are alive now face – especially children. Because this rule also reduces health-damaging VOCs and ozone, it really benefits health. It is especially good for frontline communities who are most exposed to the air toxics coming from oil and gas wells.
Read about the new Methane Rule here.
Read EPA’s Fact Sheet about the Methane Rule here.
