Press Release

March 10, 2016
Cardin Lauds EPA Decision to Limit Methane Emission from Existing Oil and Gas Facilities

BALTIMORE — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, praised an announcement from the Obama administration that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue new rules to help cut methane emissions from existing oil and gas facilities from 40-45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025. In January, citing that methane’s effect on climate change is up to 34 times greater than that of CO2, Senator Cardin called on the EPA to expand its regulation of methane emissions.

 

“Study after study has told us that the sustained emission of methane contributes greatly to climate change. I welcome today’s announcement to limit methane emissions to 2012 levels in the next decade. This decision will help the United States honor our promises under the Paris Agreement while at the same time opening new markets for innovation and expansion. This is a move that had to come from the federal government. Even if there was theoretical 100% compliance in methane reduction by companies involved in the ONE Future Coalition, America would still fall well short of the 2015 reduction goal.  After urging the EPA to take serious steps towards curbing methane emissions in January, I applaud them for taking decisive action on this important issue. I look forward to the implementation of these much needed new rules and the eventual achievement of the 2025 reduction goal.”

 

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