The Biden administration on Friday unveiled new proposed regulations that would introduce new taxes on the fossil fuel industry and penalize producers whose methane emissions exceed certain levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which led the proposal, said the proposal would help “tack on wasteful methane emissions” from the oil and gas sector, ensuring that facilities with the highest emission levels meet higher performance levels or He said he would encourage them to go beyond that. The proposed rule would create a so-called waste discharge fee that would start at $900 per ton of waste discharged in 2024, increase to $1,200 in 2025, and $1,500 after 2026.
“Under President Biden's leadership, EPA is implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce wasteful methane emissions that endanger communities and fuel the climate crisis,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. ” he said. “Today’s proposal would ultimately support a complementary set of technical standards and historical resources from the Inflation Control Act to foster industry innovation and encourage rapid action.” .”
“We are focused on working with businesses, states, and communities to ensure America leads in the deployment of technology and innovation that supports the development of a clean energy economy,” he continued.
Earlier this year, President Biden met with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan during an environmental justice event at the White House. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The announcement was immediately praised by environmental groups and Democratic Congressional leaders, including Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Delaware), who said the proposal would “slow climate change and slow climate change. “It will be the only thing that protects the Earth,” he said.
Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp added that implementing a methane fee is a “common sense” step to reduce emissions across the economy.
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Environmentalists and Democrats have long pushed for tighter regulations targeting methane, which activists call a “super pollutant.” much more powerful than carbon dioxide. The EPA added in Friday's announcement that reducing methane emissions is one of the most important actions the United States can take to “slow the rapid rate of rise in global temperatures.”
However, the EPA's proposal faced opposition from the fossil fuel industry, which called it a “punitive tax increase.”
A natural gas flare burns near an oil pumpjack in the New Harmony oil field on June 19, 2022 in Grayville, Illinois. (Luke Charette/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The world is looking to U.S. energy producers to bring stability to an increasingly volatile world,” Dustin Meyer, senior vice president for policy, economics and regulation at the American Petroleum Institute, said Friday. “Punitive tax increases are a grave mistake that undermines America's energy advantage.” .
“While we support sensible federal methane regulations, this proposal would create a disjointed and confusing regulatory regime that would only stifle innovation and undermine our ability to meet growing energy demand,” Meyer said. '' he added. He said, “I look forward to working with Congress to repeal the IRA's misguided new tax on American energy.”
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EPA's action comes a month after announcing a separate case. environmental regulations Methane emissions were targeted at the recent United Nations Climate Change Summit in Dubai.
President Biden's administration has repeatedly targeted the oil and gas sector during his tenure as part of a broader green energy plan to decarbonize the economy. (Getty Images)
These regulations include strict new standards that force the energy industry to reduce methane emissions, primarily by incorporating advanced technologies such as pollution control equipment, aerial screening, sensor networks and satellites.Phase out requirements Regular flaring of natural gasthe release of gas produced during oil drilling operations without recovery techniques.
The EPA said the methane fee announced Friday is designed to work in parallel with regulations finalized last month.
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“Waste emissions fees will help incentivize the oil and gas industry to meet its emissions reduction goals,” the EPA said in a statement. “Oil and natural gas operations with methane emissions that exceed emission intensity levels established by the Inflation Control Act can reduce or eliminate charges by implementing readily available technologies to reduce harmful and wasteful emissions.” can.”
“This program levels the playing field for industry leaders who have already adopted best practices and provides short-term opportunities for broader methane reductions as EPA and states work towards full implementation of Clean Air Act standards. It will help drive opportunities.”
