methane emissions
Newsletter
New Mexico emissions loophole enables significant methane releases
New Mexico's emissions loophole has resulted in significant methane releases, challenging state climate goals.
In short:
- Targa Northern Delaware vented substantial amounts of methane due to 'emergency' loopholes in state regulations.
- These emissions were the highest since New Mexico began tracking data in 2021, significantly impacting greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
- Despite regulations, the loophole allows substantial methane releases under specific conditions deemed as emergencies.
Key quote:
“Why wasn’t this massive amount of gas routed to a flare?”
— Jon Goldstein, senior director of regulatory and legislative affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund
Why this matters:
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is more than 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, and its unchecked release can accelerate global warming. The issue is particularly pressing in New Mexico, where oil and gas production is a major economic driver yet a significant source of methane emissions. This situation places the state at a crossroads: how to sustain its economic engine without compromising its environmental responsibilities.
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Credit: WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
New Interior Department policy to increase costs for oil drilling on public land
A long-awaited Interior Department policy will raise financial assurance and royalty rates, aiming to ensure cleaner operations and better returns for the public.
In short:
- The Department of Interior issued a new rule imposing stricter financial requirements for oil and gas companies on federal public land.
- Companies will now have to provide higher financial assurances for well cleanup and pay increased royalty taxes on extracted minerals.
- These changes aim to cut wasteful speculation, increase returns for the public, and protect taxpayers from environmental cleanup costs.
Key quote:
“These new regulations are the kind of common-sense reforms the federal oil and gas leasing program has needed for decades.”
— Athan Manuel, Sierra Club lands protection program director
Why this matters:
The new policy signifies a noteworthy shift in oil drilling regulation, aiming to ensure environmental protection and fairer returns for public resources, while also addressing climate concerns associated with methane emissions from abandoned wells. Read more: Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual U.S. health damages.
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Credit: The White House/Flickr
EPA revises its approach to regulating natural gas plant emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency delays implementing emissions regulations for existing natural gas plants, opting for a more comprehensive review to include more pollutants.
In short:
- The EPA's decision follows criticism from environmental justice groups, aiming for more comprehensive pollutant coverage in future regulations.
- New strategies will target the entire natural gas fleet and additional pollutants, offering a more robust approach to reducing emissions and protecting vulnerable communities.
- This move has stirred mixed reactions, with some environmentalists expressing disappointment over the delay and others seeing potential for more effective outcomes.
Key quote:
"We have always known that the fight for a clean power sector wouldn’t be a quick one."
— Charles Harper, Evergreen Action
Why this matters:
This move represents the EPA's strategic shift toward a more inclusive environmental policy, directly impacting health outcomes by aiming to reduce pollution in vulnerable communities. Recent studies have confirmed that the public health toll of oil and gas production is not limited to climate change.
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Credit: Amelia Martin/BigStock Photos ID: 396427748
The looming cost of unaddressed oil well closures
As the oil industry faces a downturn, unplugged oil and gas wells present significant environmental and financial challenges, potentially burdening taxpayers with the cleanup bill.
Mark Olalde and Nick Bowlin report for ProPublica and Capital & Main.
In short:
- More than 2 million unplugged wells across the U.S. pose environmental hazards and contribute significantly to climate change through methane emissions.
- The financial provisions for well cleanup cover less than 2% of the estimated costs, leaving a substantial financial burden on taxpayers.
- Regulatory loopholes and insufficient enforcement allow companies to evade cleanup responsibilities, exacerbating the problem.
Key quote:
"The data presents an urgent call to action for state regulators and the Department of the Interior to swiftly and effectively update bond amounts."
— Shannon Anderson, organizing director of the Powder River Basin Resource Council
Why this matters:
The environmental and financial fallout from unplugged oil and gas wells affects public health and climate change indicating a pressing need for policy reforms to protect both the environment and taxpayer interests. Lax oversight and accounting sleights-of-hand help to make passing the buck on abandoned oil and gas wells a persistent and pernicious burden on the public good.
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Legal loophole in gas industry impacts Pennsylvania residents' health
A loophole in natural gas industry regulations is causing health concerns for Pennsylvania residents living near fracking areas, with unchecked methane emissions and other pollutants from midstream activities compromising local air quality.
In short:
- Residents near natural gas facilities in Pennsylvania experience health issues due to unregulated midstream emissions, including methane and volatile organic compounds.
- The Environmental Protection Agency's new rule aims to reduce methane emissions but does not address cumulative impacts of minor leaks from midstream activities.
- Legal and environmental experts suggest aggregating minor emissions to classify them as major sources, thereby enforcing stricter regulations.
Key quote:
“Unfortunately, EPA allows this to happen."
— Ilan Levin, associate director at the Austin, Texas, office of the Environmental Integrity Project
Why this matters:
This article highlights a significant environmental and public health issue, where regulatory loopholes in natural gas emissions impact local communities. Understanding the cumulative effect of these emissions is crucial for informed policy-making and protecting public health, particularly in areas with intensive natural gas extraction and processing activities.
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Credit: WildEarth Guardians/Flickr
Oil firm settles with US and New Mexico over pollution issues
A Texas-based oil company has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement to tackle air pollution in America's top oil-producing area, with measures aimed at reducing emissions.
In short:
- Apache Corporation will pay $4 million in fines and invest more than $5 million in emission reduction at its Permian Basin operations.
- The settlement addresses Apache's failure to capture and control emissions, with violations detected via advanced surveillance methods.
- This effort is part of broader regulatory actions to enforce Clean Air Act compliance in the oil sector, signaling a significant push for environmental accountability.
Key quote:
“The ozone levels are rising, and you know, I think this is that moment where we have to hold up the mirror to industry and say, ‘If you don’t like what you see, it’s a reflection of your own effort.”
— James Kenney, New Mexico environment secretary
Why this matters:
This settlement is part of increased regulatory scrutiny on fossil fuel industry practices, aiming for a cleaner, healthier environment amidst rising ozone levels and greenhouse gas emissions. The harms from the fracking boom go well beyond cranking up global temperatures.
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Credit: Katie Rodriguez/Unsplash
More than 1,200 major methane leaks from landfills pose severe climate threat
Satellite data reveals more than 1,200 significant methane emissions from landfill sites globally since 2019, with south Asia, Argentina, and Spain as major contributors.
In short:
- Landfills are a significant source of methane emissions, with more than 1,200 large leaks detected worldwide, particularly in densely populated regions.
- Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbates global heating and poses a threat to climate targets.
- Effective waste management and methane capture strategies are crucial to mitigate these emissions and reduce their impact on climate change.
Key quote:
"Cutting methane is the only solution to meet the global 1.5C temperature target. If we really focus on reducing methane emissions from the waste sector, it is a gamechanger."
— Carlos Silva Filho, president of the International Solid Waste Association
Why this matters:
The high volume of methane leaks from waste dumps highlights a critical yet often overlooked aspect of climate change. Addressing these emissions is essential for meeting global climate goals and preventing further environmental degradation. This issue underscores the need for improved waste management practices and policies worldwide.
Oil and gas methane emissions in the U.S. are at least 15% higher than we thought.
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