The Biden administration is moving to impose new fees on oil and gas companies for methane emissions, but opponents of the rule say such efforts may not last under incoming Republican leadership. Suggests.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday that it will “incentivize” the oil and gas industry to reduce methane emissions by imposing a waste emissions tax authorized by the Inflation Control Act.
The Biden administration's new rules would tax certain oil and gas facilities $900 per ton of “wasteful” emissions in 2024, $1,200 in 2025 and $1,500 in 2026. Become.
The fee applies to high-emission facilities and facilities that emit “more than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, equivalent to greenhouse gas reporting programs,” according to the EPA.
Trump nominates former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency
A flag emblazoned with the Environmental Protection Agency logo flies at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Robert Alexander)
Opponents of the new rules are already making plans to circumvent the proposed methane fee.
The American Petroleum Institute announced the incoming Trump administration's policy roadmap in a press release Tuesday, hitting back at the EPA's final rule.
President Trump to install 'energy czar' to repeal Biden climate change rules: Report
The proposed plan included the Trump administration “misleading the intent of Congress and eliminating EPA's methane fee, which does little except increase the cost of producing U.S. oil and natural gas.”
On November 3, 2021, a pump jack is activated at the Bell Ridge oil field near McKittrick, California. (Tamamario)
Western officials also condemned the accusations, but stressed that the next administration would make changes to the current EPA agenda.
“The lame duck Biden administration will do everything it can to disrupt traditional energy sources in its final days,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). “EPA's waste discharge fee rule will further increase energy costs by imposing an effective tax on the U.S. oil and gas industry that will be passed directly to consumers. Fortunately, this administration's We look forward to helping a unified Republican government reduce energy costs in rural America and across Western America. ”
President-elect Trump recently nominated former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a move that is likely to derail many of the Biden administration's energy policies.
President-elect Trump has selected former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to head his administration's Environmental Protection Agency. (Al Drago)
Meanwhile, the EPA has proposed that waste discharge fees would improve critical industries.
EPA Administrator Michael said, “The final waste discharge fee will improve the efficiency of the oil and gas sector, support American jobs, protect clean air, and strengthen America's leadership on the world stage.'' “This is the latest in a series of actions under President Biden's methane strategy.” S. Regan said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Maggie Coulter, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, also praised the rule, saying, “While we expect the next administration to give the green light to reckless fossil fuel extraction, it will make polluters pay for superclimate leaks.'' It's heartening to see this effort to improve the situation.” Pollutant methane. ”
