** Biden administration moves to limit methane from oil and gas operations
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Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Flaring off natural gas can emit methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, N ([link removed]) OAA ([link removed])
Today the Biden administration is unveiling a sweeping set of policies to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations ([link removed]) . Announced at COP26, where Biden faces pressure to demonstrate that the U.S. is serious about mitigating climate change, the proposals represent one of President Biden's highest-impact efforts so far ([link removed]) to combat climate change.
Today's announcement marks the first time ([link removed]) that the federal government has attempted to comprehensively address methane leaks from oil and gas infrastructure all across the country. Proposed rules from the EPA ([link removed]) would establish standards for old wells, increase leak monitoring, and require methane capture. Many of the new changes involve requiring the industry to use updated equipment to spot and stop methane leaks—a strategy that has overwhelming public support, with 91% of Westerners ([link removed]) in agreement.
Addressing methane emissions is a high-impact way to help prevent catastrophic climate changes: methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, making it a high priority at the United Nations COP26 negotiations. At the same time, reducing methane leaks will also help decrease smog and toxic chemicals near drilling sites, having a direct positive impact on human health ([link removed]) . “Methane is such a potent pollutant. It’s important that we understand what the contribution is from this industry, that it is monitored more effectively and that we get the deep methane emission reductions that we know we need in order to meet the president’s agenda,” said ([link removed]) EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Although the oil industry has historically opposed federal methane regulations, many operators would now prefer a federal mandate ([link removed]) in comparison to a patchwork of irregular state rules. The proposal will require states to develop methane rules for existing wells that align with federal guidelines, while the EPA will regulate all new wells. The EPA proposal could reduce methane emissions by about 41 million tons through 2035, which is more than the equivalent of the carbon dioxide emitted by all U.S. passenger cars and commercial aircraft in 2019 ([link removed]) . The agency plans to issue the final rule by the end of next year.
Quick hits
** Climate change is now the main driver of increasing wildfire weather in the West, study finds
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed])
** Global leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030
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New York Times ([link removed])
** Wyoming residents observe a changing climate and quality of life, matching data trends
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WyoFile ([link removed]) [Residents] | Wyofile ([link removed]) [Data]
** What are the effects of climate change costing consumers?
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USA Today ([link removed])
** Less than half of proposed Wyoming oil and gas leases recommended for upcoming sale
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** Activists pushing Interior for emergency protections for gray wolves
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The Hill ([link removed])
** Migrating birds skip dry Klamath refuges along the Oregon-California border, disrupting annual migration
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Jefferson Public Radio ([link removed])
** Opinion by atmospheric scientist: The science everyone needs to know about climate change, in 6 charts
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The Conversation ([link removed])
Quote of the day
My kids aren’t going to get to experience the Wyoming that I grew up in, and my grandchildren, surely not. I hope I’m wrong. I really do hope I’m wrong. But I doubt it.”
—Mike Burd, a retired miner who grew up hunting and fishing in Western Wyoming, W ([link removed]) yoFile ([link removed])
Picture this
** @U ([link removed]) SFWSRefuges ([link removed])
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Did you know that male bighorn sheep inhale with their mouth open and upper lip curled to gather the scent of breeding females? The behavior, common to many animals, is called the flehmen response. Photo: Wyoming’s National Elk Refuge [link removed] ([link removed]) By Lori Iverson/
@USFWS ([link removed])
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