Obama Aims to Cut Methane Emissions

iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Obama administration on Wednesday set a new goal to cut methane emissions by up to 45 percent of 2012 levels within the next 10 years.

The administration says it is “committed to taking responsible steps to address climate change and help ensure a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations.” As such, the White House notes that American oil production is at the highest level in 30 years, and that methane — the primary component of natural gas — is a greenhouse gas that can trap carbon dioxide inside the Earth’s environment.

Methane, the White House says, accounted for nearly 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2012.

The White House listed an array of actions they hope to take to play a role in diminishing methane emissions. First, the administration says it will seek “common sense standards” for methane and ozone-forming emissions, set guidelines to reduce the production of such pollutants, and consider enhancing leak detection and emissions reporting. The administration also hopes to lead by example, updating the decades-old standards for venting, flaring and leaks on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

Obama also hopes to improve pipeline safety and to release the first installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review — which will focus on policy actions “needed to help modernize energy transmission, storage and distribution infrastructure.”

This spring, the EPA will issue a proposed rule to set standards for methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas production. A final rule will follow in 2016.

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