Sierra Club Statement: EPA Proposes Major New Curbs on Oil and Gas Methane Emissions, But Must Strengthen Them

Washington, DC -- Today, the Environmental Protection Agency released critical new draft rules to curb methane emissions and other pollution from the oil and gas industry. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane emissions are also emitted alongside other harmful pollution that puts communities at risk of serious negative health effects. 

Although the Trump administration sought to eliminate Obama-era limits on methane pollution from new oil and gas equipment, President Biden signed legislation this past June reinstating those safeguards. If finalized, EPA’s new proposed rule would expand on those protections by strengthening the limits on pollution from new sources and including the first-ever controls on pre-existing infrastructure.

These rules are anticipated to reduce methane pollution by 41 million tons, smog- and soot-forming compounds by 12 million tons, and hazardous air toxins by 480,000 tons by 2035. However, even stronger limits are achievable. A 65 percent reduction in methane pollution from all new and existing oil and gas operations by 2025 is an achievable target that can be met at low cost using existing technologies. To ensure emission reductions at that scale, EPA must go further in its final rule by establishing regular leak monitoring requirements for all oil and gas wells, without exception, imposing strict limits on routine flaring of gas at oil wells, and making other key improvements. Fortunately, the agency has the opportunity to implement these changes in a supplemental rulemaking proposal, which it plans to issue early next year.

In response, Sierra Club Senior Director of Energy Campaigns Kelly Sheehan released the following statement: 

“For too long, the oil and gas industry has been given free rein to spew methane and associated pollution, driving the climate crisis and leaving vulnerable communities subjected to the intersecting threats of polluted air and climate-driven extreme weather. The Biden administration’s move to strengthen the guardrails limiting this pollution is a critical step, yet our Environmental Protection Agency must go further.

“Today’s rule would achieve real benefits by slashing oil and gas methane emissions significantly, but we know that a more ambitious target is achievable. The proposal would allow a large number of wells to forgo regular inspections to detect and repair leaking equipment, and would not stop oil wells from flaring gas on a routine basis. The dual crises of climate change and air pollution demand aggressive pollution reductions. EPA’s proposal is a move in the right direction, but the agency must not hesitate to strengthen these safeguards. Our families and communities deserve nothing less.”