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Obama methane rule is first step but downplays problem, say green groups

Obama methane rule is first step but downplays problem, say green groups

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The Environmental Protection Agency announced proposed regulations Tuesday targeting oil and gas industry methane emissions. The EPA says the new rules, billed as part of the White House’s climate action plan, would cut the release of methane, a volatile greenhouse gas, by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels over the next decade.

The plan, first outlined early this year, would require the booming United States natural gas industry to manage intentional venting and leaks to help the United States meet its pledge to the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

In January, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said that methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are currently projected to rise by more than a quarter in that time frame.

Obama methane rule is ‘first step’ but downplays problem, say green groups

-Al Jazeera America, 8/18/2015