Statement: Biden admin. announces critical rule to limit methane, a potent climate pollutant

AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized on Saturday new safeguards for dangerous methane pollution that are expected to dramatically cut harmful air pollution and global warming emissions from oil and gas operations in Texas and across the United States. This new rule will lower methane emissions, protect our health and help tackle climate change.

In response, Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas Research & Policy Center, released the following statement:

“Companies across Texas are flaring methane (aka setting fire to gas) at oil wells at astonishing rates as well as leaking enormous quantities of methane. Without strong federal regulations, Texas, the country’s leading oil and gas producer and methane emitter, has shown no signs that it will take serious action to reduce methane emissions. 

“The Biden Administration and EPA Administrator Michael Regan are changing that by finalizing standards to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from the oil and gas industry. Among the provisions of EPA’s new methane standards are a phase-out of heavily polluting equipment, regular inspections at all wells — including low-producing wells which account for about half of well site emissions — and significant progress on the wasteful practice of routine flaring. 

“We applaud the EPA’s final methane rule as a way to limit the climate-changing pollution that sickens people in oil and gas regions throughout the state. Now, it’s time for Texas to step up to the plate, show leadership, and produce a strong state plan to further reduce emissions.”

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The Environment Texas Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmenttexascenter.org.