Bernard L. Weinstein writes about the EPA’s methane rules in The Hill.
- The EPA is proposing new rules that will crack down on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
- While reducing methane emissions, which are roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide emissions, is important, the EPA’s rule could restrict future innovation.
- The rule would require companies to only use optical gas imaging (OGI) to detect methane leaks. While OGI is effective, this one-size-fits-all approach could prevent companies from using more effective technologies in the future.
- America’s energy producers have meaningfully reduced CO2 and methane emissions through innovation, not onerous regulations.
“Companies would not be prohibited from using technologies other than OGI, but under the rule, they would be required to follow up with a blanket OGI survey anyway. Because of cost duplication, this requirement would discourage oil and gas producers from adopting potentially more accurate leak detection technologies.”
Read the full article here.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
