Restricting methane pollution important band-aid, but not a cure for climate crisis

Environment America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Obama administration proposed first-ever limits on oil and gas emissions of methane – the greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide. Drilling and fracking operations are the single largest source of the pollutant, which accounts for about 9 percent of U.S. global warming pollution.
 
The proposed rule, part of the Obama administration’s Climate Action Plan, limits methane leaks from new oil and gas facilities only. 

Anna Aurilio, director of Environment America’s Global Warming Solutions program, issued the following statement:
 
“To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must make deep cuts in all global warming pollutants, including methane. That’s why today’s rule is a positive step forward, and a clear example of the president’s commitment to climate action.
 
“But the best way to limit methane pollution is to limit drilling and fracking, and this administration has pursued the opposite. Curbing emissions from oil and gas operators doesn’t give the Obama administration license to allow fracking on our public lands, or drilling off our prized coasts.
 
“Restricting methane pollution is an important band-aid, but not a cure. Solving global warming will require transitioning to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”