Statement of Bob Perciasepe
President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

On EPA’s announcement of plans to address methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector:

Today’s announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency that it will use a mix of regulatory and voluntary strategies to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is a sensible approach to tackling a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Technologies and practices being deployed to meet “green completion” rules at new natural gas wells have proven very effective at reducing methane leakage, and strategies to control emissions continue to improve. With the U.S. now the world’s largest oil and gas producer, it is essential that these types of strategies be employed across both oil and gas production and their distribution systems.

EPA’s proposed methane reduction strategy is critical to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent by 2025, and will help promote similar efforts throughout the oil and gas industry globally.

The oil and gas industry is already pursuing voluntary strategies to reduce methane leakage. EPA’s proposal wisely seeks to build on these efforts by strengthening public-private partnerships. Companies have a real opportunity to continue and grow this leadership to meet this challenge. Cooperative initiatives, coupled with sensible regulation of new and modified emission sources, will help ensure that the United States can continue to reap the economic and security benefits of increased energy production while doing its part to address climate change.

We look forward to working with EPA and with industry to help refine this important addition to the United States’ climate change strategy.

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Learn more about reducing methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector.