Tim McDonnell on Obamas crackdown on methane emissions: -Erika This morning the White House announced a new plan to crack down on the oil and gas industrys emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The move is the last major piece of President Obamas domestic climate agenda, following in the footsteps of tougher standards for vehicle emissions and a sweeping plan to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Like the power plant plan, the methane standards will rely on the Environmental Protection Agencys authority to regulate pollution under the Clean Air Act. The new rules will regulate the amount of methane that oil and gas producers are allow vent or leak from their wells, pipelines, and other equipment. Ultimately, according to the White House, the rules will slash methane emissions 40 to 45 percent by 2025. The proposal announced today is intended to be finalized before Obama leaves office, but its certain to take a battering along the way from congressional Republicans and fossil fuel interest groups.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:19:01 +0000
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