SEEC Commends Release of New Methane Emissions Rule

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new methane rule. This proposal represents a key step in cutting planet-warming pollution and protecting frontline communities from fossil fuel pollution. 

“In the midst of international climate negotiations at COP28, America has demonstrated our commitment to creating lasting climate solutions for future generations. Curbing methane – which has 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide in the short term – is one of the most important near-term actions we can take to achieve our international climate targets under the Paris Agreement.

“EPA’s regulations will hold the oil and gas sector accountable by ensuring comprehensive leak detection and repair at production sites and phasing out routine flaring of these potent gases. As a result, these common-sense standards are expected to reduce methane pollution by 80% between 2024 and 2038, which is equivalent to taking nearly a billion cars off the road for a year. Reducing methane levels is essential to tackling climate change, as methane has contributed roughly a third of global warming since the Industrial Revolution.

“EPA’s final methane rule is a key step in providing the strongest possible protections for frontline communities who are already experiencing the effects of climate change. Tackling methane pollution will slow down global warming, protecting Americans from worsening extreme weather and buying the global community valuable time to solve the climate crisis. All eyes are on the critical climate negotiations at COP28, and the United States has proven it can and will be a global leader in climate action.”