Pallone Applauds Biden Administration’s Final Methane Rule

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after the Biden Administration announced it has finalized an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to curb methane emissions from oil and gas sources:

“The climate crisis is the greatest global challenge of our lifetime, but with today’s announcement, the United States is making good on its promise to stand with our allies and tackle it head-on. I commend the Biden Administration for continuing to demonstrate meaningful climate leadership by finalizing such strong, comprehensive methane standards for the oil and gas sector. 

“Methane is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gas pollutants – roughly 80 times as potent as carbon pollution and responsible for a full third of the warming we experience today. Curbing this pollution is one of the fastest ways we can slow the warming of our planet. By capturing more sources of methane and eliminating routine flaring for new sources, the Biden EPA is simultaneously protecting Americans’ right to clean air and reasserting our role as a global climate leader. I’m also pleased that it expands the use of innovative new monitoring technologies and responds to longstanding challenges such as super-emitters. This is what following the science looks like.”

Today’s announcement comes as global leaders gather in Dubai for COP28 to discuss the global response to climate change. According to the EPA, the new rule would reduce methane emissions by at least 58 million tons by 2038 – a staggering 80 percent reduction that will come with more than $97 billion in net benefits.

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