Carper Applauds Proposed Standards to Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Industry

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new proposals to reduce the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the oil and gas industry by setting new standards to lower the sector’s methane emissions by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels over the next 10 years.

“Today’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposals to reduce our nation’s methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are common sense steps toward combating one of the greatest and most dangerous root causes of climate change and harmful air quality.

“While our oil and gas industry has made great progress in reducing its environmental impact, it is predicted that methane emissions from oil and gas will rise more than 25 percent in the next decade, and this industry remains one of the largest contributors to methane pollution. We can’t afford inaction. These proposals take significant strides to reduce our level of greenhouse gas emissions and help ensure our energy industry is more efficient and beneficial to the public health and economy.

“I encourage the public to review these proposals and comment during the public comment period.”

The newly proposed rules are projected to reduce methane – a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 25 times greater than carbon dioxide – by 340,000 to 400,000 short tons and produce $120 to $150 million in climate benefits by 2025.

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