Casten Statement on EPA Proposed Rule to Cut Methane Emissions
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the EPA's new proposed safeguards to cut methane from new and existing oil and gas operations:
"Today, the Environmental Protection Agency took a critical step forward in our fight against the climate crisis by reining in methane from new and existing sources in the oil and gas industry," said Rep. Sean Casten. "Since I came to Congress, I have worked to curb methane emissions, which are responsible for approximately one-third of the global warming since pre-industrial times. At a time when the rest of the world is looking for U.S. leadership at COP26, this important action shows the United States is taking a robust response to methane pollution."
This rule requires that all pneumatic controllers be non-emitting. It represents an important step forward and is a powerful signal that the Biden administration understands the harms of methane pollution from oil and gas operations. The EPA regulations will require states to develop plans to cut emissions from existing sources, including about 300,000 oil and gas well sites. Additionally, once finalized, the rule would cut 41 million tons of methane emissions by 2035, more than the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from all U.S. passenger cars and commercial aircraft in 2019.
"I am also encouraged that more than 100 countries signed the U.S. and E.U.-sponsored Global Methane Pledge today - committing to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030," continued Rep. Casten. "I agree with President Biden's remarks that this is the most effective strategy we have to slow global warming in the near term, as natural gas has more than 80 times the atmosphere-warming power of CO2 the first two decades after its released."
Last week, during an Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Rep. Casten questioned CEO's from Exxon Mobil and the American Petroleum Institute, focusing on their disinformation campaigns through Facebook ads designed to deceive, distract, and block desperately needed climate action. Rep. Casten's questioning highlighted the urgent need for executive action to curtail the fossil fuel industry. You can watch his questioning here.
Prior to that, in June, Rep. Casten voted to restore Obama-era protections against dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, which the Trump Administration gutted. This helped lay the groundwork for the actions the EPA took today.
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