Methane Clips: March 15, 2023

 

Sweeping GOP Energy Bill Would Sweep Away Biden’s Climate Agenda. According to Roll Call, “House Republicans unveiled legislation Tuesday to repeal a new methane emissions fee and ‘green bank’ to spur low-carbon projects enacted under Democratic control last year, direct regulatory agencies to speed up the approval of energy projects, and more. While the bill in its entirety is unlikely to win a majority in the Democrat-controlled Senate, it lays out a clear picture of Republican views on energy: less worry about the long-term dangers of global climate change and more determination that the U.S. should continue to harvest the near-term wealth and jobs made possible by its domestic fossil energy resources. ‘This bill counters President Biden’s attack on our domestic energy and includes permitting reforms that will speed construction for major infrastructure projects across the country,’ said Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.” [Roll Call, 3/14/23 (-)]

 

Greens Sue Biden Over Willow Oil Project Approval. According to Politico, “A coalition of environmental groups on Tuesday filed a quick legal challenge against the the Biden administration’s decision to approve the controversial Willow oil project in Alaska. Biden’s decision to allow ConocoPhillips to build its massive project on federal land in the Alaska wilderness has caused an uproar among environmentalists. They argued in their lawsuit that the approval violated four environmental laws despite the fact that the Bureau of Land Management greenlit a smaller version of the project than ConocoPhillips had sought.” [Politico, 3/14/23 (=)]

 

DOE Invests $47 Million To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil And Gas Sector. According to the Department of Energy, “The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $47 million in funding for 22 research projects to advance the development of new and innovative measurement, monitoring, and mitigation technologies to help detect, quantify, and reduce methane emissions across oil and natural gas producing regions of the United States. Methane emissions are the second largest contributor to climate change—only carbon dioxide ranks ahead of methane as a greenhouse gas source. The selected projects will help to ensure an efficient, resilient, and leak-tight U.S. natural gas infrastructure and support President Biden’s U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan and the Biden-Harris Administration climate goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.” [Department of Energy, 3/13/23 (+)]

 

Assessment Of Methane Emissions From Onshore LNG Facilities. According to Phys.org, “Methane concentrations in the atmosphere have more than doubled over the last 150 years and mitigation of methane emissions will play a vital role in enabling climate change mitigation strategies. According to a Climate and Clean Air Coalition publication, 23% of all anthropogenic methane emissions are from the oil and gas sector which has 72% reduction potential, higher than any other sector. In order to characterize the climate impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, the emissions across the whole supply chain need to be well understood.” [Phys.org, 3/14/23 (=)]

 

EDF Launches “We’re Fired Up” Ad Supporting Biden Efforts To Finalize Strong Oil And Gas Methane Rules That Protect Pennsylvania’s Health And Climate. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, “Today, Environmental Defense Fund launched its ‘We’re Fired Up’ TV and digital ad campaign praising President Joe Biden for putting forward strong rules to curb oil and gas methane pollution. ‘President Biden has stood up to polluters and put forward a strong, commonsense proposal that would significantly cut methane pollution from oil and gas well sites across Pennsylvania and the U.S.,’ said Jon Goldstein, Senior Director of Regulatory & Legislative Affairs at EDF. ‘For the future of Pennsylvania’s climate and the health of those living closest to oil and gas wells, the EPA must adopt the strongest rules possible as quickly as possible.’” [Environmental Defense Fund, 3/15/23 (+)]