EPA Finalizes Rule to Curb Methane Emissions in 2023

Posted : December 6, 2023

On December 2, 2023, a significant update from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brought environmental concerns back into the spotlight. The agency unveiled a finalized rule focused on curbing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry - a move that marks the government’s reinvigorated efforts to combat climate change. This rule is expected to play a critical role in shaping the environmental policies in the upcoming years while also drastically impacting the operations in the oil and gas sectors.
1. On December 2, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a new rule targeting methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
2. This rule marks a new governmental effort to combat climate change and is expected to significantly shape environmental policies in the following years.
3. It will also have a significant impact on operations within the oil and gas sectors as it aims to drastically reduce their methane emissions.
4. This initiative symbolizes the agency's commitment to addressing environmental concerns related to the extraction and use of fossil fuels.
5. The rule takes into consideration the detrimental effects of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming 25 times more than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Therefore, controlling methane emissions has been identified as a crucial part of the nation's broader climate change mitigation strategy.
The new rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is anticipated to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 41% by 2025.
The finalized rule, announced by the EPA on December 2, 2023, primarily aims at drastically reducing methane emissions originating from the oil and gas industry. This significant move embodies the agency's commitment to address environmental concerns related to fossil fuel extraction and use. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has an impact on global warming more than 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Therefore, controlling methane emissions is an essential part of the nation's broader strategy to mitigate climate change.