The Obama administration on November 15, 2016 finalized a rule to reduce the massive amount of leaking methane from oil and gas operations on public land, prompting an immediate response from Republicans who intend on reversing it.
The new Methane and Waste Prevention Rule will decrease flaring — burning off methane at the site of extraction — by half. It will also increase inspection and reporting requirements, restrict venting from storage tanks, and clarify when royalties are due on lost gas.
“This rule to prevent waste of our nation’s natural gas supplies is good government, plain and simple,” Dept. of Interior Sec. Sally Jewell said in a statement. “We are proving that we can cut harmful methane emissions that contribute to climate change, while putting in place standards that make good economic sense for the nation.”
States, tribes, and federal taxpayers lose millions of dollars each year through wasted gas, according to a 2010 government report. The amount of natural gas lost between 2009 and 2015 would have been enough to serve more than 6 million households for a year.
The following are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
Copyright © 2011-2023 Internet Brothers. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2324-6057
Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by Wordpress | Logo by Design Aspirations