Biden Administration Issues Final Rule on Methane Emissions for Oil and Gas Sector

The Biden Administration announced on Saturday the issuance of a final ruling aiming to substantially slash methane emissions, targeting the oil and natural gas industry in the United States for its considerable role in global warming. This action comes at a time when President Biden is seeking to strengthen his climate legacy.

Regulation Aims to Cut Methane Emissions

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the directive will significantly reduce methane and other harmful atmospheric pollutants produced by the oil and gas sector. The rule encourages the adoption of state-of-the-art technology for methane detection and promises substantial public health benefits. These include a reduction in hospital visits, fewer missed days of school, and a decrease in mortality rates. The atmospheric pollution from oil and gas operations is linked to cancer, damage to the respiratory and nervous systems, and birth defects.

Global Commitments to Mitigate Climate Change

During the United Nations climate conference held in the United Arab Emirates, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi announced the final regulation. Concurrently, the climate summit president revealed that 50 oil companies, accounting for nearly half of the world's production, pledged to reach near-zero methane emissions and eliminate routine flaring in their operations by 2030.

At the summit, Vice President Kamala Harris, serving as the highest-ranking US official in attendance, emphasized that the United States and other nations must boldly confront the impacts of climate change. "The urgency of this moment is clear," she stated. "The clock is not just ticking. It’s ringing. And we must catch up for lost time."

The United States' methane emissions order is part of President Biden's broader effort, which includes financial incentives for electric vehicle purchases and infrastructure improvements. Vice President Harris mentioned that these efforts are expected to cost about a trillion dollars over the next decade.

Oil and gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane, which is the main component of natural gas and far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. Methane accounts for roughly a third of the warming greenhouse gas emissions and is a critical focus of the COP28 conference.

emissions, methane, regulation