EPA Unveils Grants To Help States, Industry Curb Methane. According to Politico, “The Biden administration Monday announced $700 million in new grant funding to help states and the petroleum industry find and plug methane leaks from low-producing wells. The funding was provided under last year’s so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which furnished $1.55 billion to help the petroleum industry monitor and remediate methane emissions. It also created a new fee for operations that exceed a set emissions intensity threshold.” [Politico, 7/24/23 (=)]
US To Spend $1.55 Billon For Oil And Gas Sector To Cut Methane Emissions. According to Reuters, “The U.S. government will provide up to $1.55 billion in funding to monitor and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, two agencies said on Monday. The funding will be accompanied by technical assistance for companies to rein in emissions of the planet-warming greenhouse gas from leaks and daily operations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. ‘The amount of methane emitted from oil and gas operations is enough to fuel millions of homes a year, and is a major driver of the climate crisis,’ said Joe Goffman at EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.” [Reuters, 7/24/23 (=)]
Biden Administration To Give States $350M To Cut Methane Emissions. According to the Washington Post, “The White House summit comes after the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday that they will dole out $350 million this summer for states to monitor and reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The money comes from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program, which set aside $1.55 billion for states to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The two agencies will also provide technical assistance to help companies detect and curb methane emissions from leaks and daily operations.” [Washington Post, 7/25/23 (=)]
Colo. Becomes Latest State To Crack Down On Methane. According to Politico, “Colorado will soon require oil and gas operators to get independent verification of their methane emissions data, becoming the latest state to set stricter standards for tracking the planet-warming gas. The new rule — from Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission — received support from both environmental groups and the fossil fuel industry. It comes as Louisiana considers regulations to prohibit routine venting or flaring of natural gas and as New Mexico levies hefty fines against companies that violate air pollution rules.” [Politico, 7/25/23 (=)]