Republicans On House Committee Oppose Final Rule Limiting VOC/Methane Emissions From Conventional Oil & Gas Facilities, Risking Loss Of $500 Million In Federal Highway Funds

At a hurriedly called meeting November 14, the Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy voted to send a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission disapproving of the final regulation limiting VOC/methane emissions from conventional oil and gas facilities.

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

The IRRC is scheduled to consider the regulation at its meeting on November 17.  There are no other comments on file with the IRRC for or against the regulation as of today (November 14 at 1:00 p.m.).

The Republicans also voted in August to disapprove the final regulation limiting VOC/methane emissions from unconventional shale gas facilities, even though the industry did not oppose the regulation.  Read more here.

Conventional oil and gas facilities account for 80 percent of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania because they have done little or nothing to control them. 

The unconventional shale gas industry accounts for 20 percent because they have implemented some controls.  Read more here.

The conventional regulation would affect 4,719 conventional well owners of approximately 27,260 facilities.

DEP estimates it will cost the conventional natural gas industry approximately $9.8 million annually to comply with the regulation, but that cost will be offset by preventing $36.4 million of their product not leaking into the atmosphere, at current natural gas prices.

DEP said both parts of the regulation are needed to comply with a mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt controls on methane emissions from oil and gas operations by December 16 or face the potential loss of $500 million or more in federal highway funds.  Read more here.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net. 

(Photo: Conventional gas well leaking methane in Allegheny County, Earthworks.)

Related Articles This Week:

-- Since Nov. 6 Natural Gas Has Been Escaping From A High Pressure Underground Gas Storage Area In Cambria County, Equitrans LP, Local EMS, DEP Are Responding  [PaEN]

-- EPA Unveils Proposed Methane Pollution Reduction Standards Covering Oil & Gas Facilities, Including Conventional Oil & Gas Wells

[Posted: November 14, 2022]  PA Environment Digest