The Biden administration is preparing a regulatory crackdown on methane, a major source of planet-warming pollution from the oil and gas industry. U.S. agencies are expected to roll out six rules on methane emissions in the next six months, writes Jean Chemnick — the first of which could land in early December as almost 200 nations are gathering for the global climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Methane, the major component of natural gas, traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. It accounts for roughly a third of global warming since industrialization, according to researchers. Concern that the world is producing and burning more fossil fuels — contributing more methane to the atmosphere — is pushing governments to act more aggressively. Keeping oil producers from flaring methane and stopping gas pipelines from leaking into the air aren’t totally out of reach, proponents say. The availability of technology to limit methane emissions has made the gas lower-hanging fruit for President Joe Biden’s push to zero out most U.S. climate emissions by 2050. “There's a recognition that cutting methane is one of the fastest, best ways to reduce pollution that's contributing to climate change,” said Paul Billings, national senior vice president for public policy at the American Lung Association. A rule that would limit emissions from oil and gas production, storage, pipelines and other facilities will become final as soon as next week. That could coincide with a U.S.-China show of unity around cutting methane as they represent the two biggest economies at the United Nations climate conference that starts Nov. 30. U.S. natural gas exporters are also hoping for preferential treatment from European buyers looking for cleaner sources of the fuel. The United States is working with other countries on establishing international standards for energy exports. The possibility of a second Donald Trump presidency and a Republican-controlled Congress is another reason that the Biden administration is hurrying to finish methane emissions rules by early 2024. Otherwise they could fall victim to the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to overturn rules up to 60 legislative days after they become final. New U.S. methane emissions rules could also pave the way for more global progress on curbing the planet-warming gas, experts say. “Strong standards from the United States are a very important signal,” said Jon Goldstein, senior director of regulatory affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund. “They help set the realm of the possible for the rest of the world.”
| 
