Regulating Methane Emissions

Although conversations about climate change usually revolve around carbon dioxide emissions, another greenhouse gas deserves attention: methane. Scientists think that reducing methane emissions is critical for mitigating the climate crisis. Methane contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Although methane remains in the atmosphere for less time than carbon dioxide, it affects the climate 86 times more than carbon dioxide over a 20-year span. Scientists found that reducing methane emissions in the short term can slow down global warming: a key goal for the international community. Many industries, including agriculture, oil and gas, and landfill disposal, conduct business activities that emit methane. The United Nations identified the fossil fuel industry as having the greatest capacity to reduce methane emissions at low cost. Oil and gas activities generate 35 percent of total U.S. methane emissions. In April, members of the U.S. Congress rescinded Trump-era relaxations of methane regulations in the oil and gas sector. As of now, there are two main federal proposals that seek to further reduce methane emissions. First, Democrats in Congress are working to introduce a $1,500 fee on every metric ton of methane released by the oil and gas sector. Second, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to require oil and gas companies to use equipment and procedural practices that curb methane emissions. But some commentators argue that the two proposals may conflict with each other. On one hand, fossil fuel lobbyists argue that the proposed fee and proposed EPA regulation are duplicative and add burdensome costs for companies. On the other hand, environmentalists argue that the proposed fee and proposed rules complement each other. They point out that if companies successfully lower emissions under the rules, then less fees would be owed. Although neither the proposed fee nor the proposed EPA rule is final, both regulations likely will play a role in efforts to curb the effects of climate change. This week’s Saturday Seminar discusses the regulation of methane emissions within the context of climate change