EPA Tightens Rules For Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Landfills

Tuesday’s proposals from the Environmental Protection Agency would apply to new natural gas wells, and also require producers to fix leaks in equipment such as pipelines and pumps and other equipment used to transport methane. The problem with non-methane organic compounds, however, is they can contain substances that can combine to create ground-level ozone, or smog, in certain climates, so the federal government is looking to reduce such emissions by installing emissions control technology at landfills.

Environmental groups have complained that those voluntary measures fail to address the projected growth in methane emissions of more than 25 per cent by 2025. The proposed Methane Pollution Standard offers sensible, cost-effective solutions to limit methane and toxic air pollution from rapidly escalating oil and gas development that is driving climate change and jeopardizing people’s health. “The oil and natural gas revolution has driven unprecedented job growth, providing Americans with affordable energy, and significantly reducing emissions”, he said. Reducing methane emissions is smart for business and can create savings for consumers. According to a new study led by Colorado State University researchers, the methane leakage at natural gas gathering facilities could be enough to heat 3.2 million homes if it was captured.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama unveiled the final version of his plan to tackle greenhouse gases from coal-fired power plants, requiring carbon emissions from the sector be cut 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. More regulations, they say, are unnecessary and could hamper the ongoing boom in U.S. oil and gas production. It is the second largest source of emissions in the United States after the Carbon dioxide generated by human activities, 30% from oil and gas industries.

According to Mark Brownstein at the Environmental Defense Fund, a lot of methane gets emitted-and wasted-across the oil and natural gas supply chain. EPA estimates the rule will yield net climate benefits of $120 to $150 million in 2025.

The American Petroleum Institute said Tuesday’s proposed rules are “duplicative, costly, and undermine America’s competitiveness”, noting that the industry is already taking action on methane.

But the EPA warns methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and the U.S. needs to clamp down on its release as natural gas becomes a more prominent part of our fuel supply.

The EPA will take comments on the proposals before holding public hearings to determine how to proceed with the regulations.