House moves to block fee on methane emissions

The House voted 220-206 to overturn a Biden-era rule that enforces a fee on excess methane emissions from oil and gas companies, a move that may advance in the Senate but will require additional legislation to fully dismantle the program.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

In short:

• The vote largely followed party lines, with six Democrats joining Republicans and one Republican siding with Democrats.
• The methane fee was established in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, requiring companies emitting methane above a set threshold to pay a penalty.
• The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the program would prevent 1.2 million metric tons of methane emissions, equivalent to removing nearly 8 million gas-powered cars from the road for a year.

Key quote:

“The methane polluter fee is a critical tool to reduce the waste of natural gas, limit pollution in local communities, and drive America forward as a global leader on methane.”

— Coalition of more than 70 environmental groups

Why this matters:

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, trapping heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide. Oil and gas operations release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere through leaks and flaring, contributing to climate change and air pollution. The fee aims to curb emissions by incentivizing companies to prevent waste, but opponents argue it raises energy costs. With climate policies facing partisan battles, the future of this regulation remains uncertain.

Related: Methane emissions from warming ecosystems pose a major climate threat