SPRING LITERATURE Showcase
Continued from pg . 15
Here is more , slightly edited for space and clarity , from the statement :
EPA ’ s latest action complements the Biden-Harris Administration ’ s whole-of-government initiative to slash methane emissions from every sector of the economy under the U . S . Methane Emissions Reduction Plan . In 2023 , the Administration took nearly 100 actions , with coordination by the White House Methane Task Force , to bolster methane detection and reduce methane pollution from oil and gas operations , landfills , abandoned mines , agriculture , industry , and buildings .
The final rule updating the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program is a key component of the Inflation Reduction Act ’ s Methane Emissions Reduction Program , as designed by Congress to help states , industry , and communities implement recently finalized Clean Air Act methane standards and slash methane emissions from the oil and gas sector . The Biden-Harris Administration is also mobilizing over $ 1 billion in financial and technical assistance to accelerate the transition to no- and lowemitting oil and gas technologies , as part of broad efforts to cut wasteful methane emissions .
“ As we implement the historic climate programs under President Biden ’ s Inflation Reduction Act , EPA is applying the latest tools , cutting edge technology , and expertise to track and measure methane emissions from the oil and gas industry ,” said EPA Administrator Michael S . Regan . “ Together , a combination of strong standards , good monitoring and reporting , and historic
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investments to cut methane pollution will ensure the U . S . leads in the global transition to a clean energy economy .”
Recent studies reveal that actual emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems are much greater than what has historically been reported to the GHGRP . This rule addresses that gap , including by facilitating the use of satellite data to identify super-emitters and quantify large emission events , requiring direct monitoring of key emission sources , and updating the methods for calculation . Together these changes support complete and accurate reporting and respond to Congress ’ s directive for the measurement of methane emissions to rely on empirical data .
‘ API has raised serious concerns … including flawed methodologies that could lead to inaccurate reporting of higher GHG emissions …’
Today ’ s announcement is EPA ’ s latest step in tackling methane emissions that are fueling climate change , building on the agency ’ s recently finalized Clean Air Act standards to sharply reduce methane and other harmful air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry , promote the use of cutting-edge methane detection technologies , and deliver significant economic and public health benefits from methane emissions reductions . That rule established a Super-Emitter Program to help detect large leaks and releases , and today ’ s reporting rule will require owners and operators to quantify and report the emissions detected through that Program to help close the gap between observed methane emissions and reported emissions .
The final subpart W rule will dramatically improve the quality of emissions data reported from oil and natural gas operations , with provisions that improve the quantification of methane emissions , incorporate advances in methane emissions measurement technology , and streamline compliance with other EPA regulations . For the first time , EPA is allowing for the use of advanced technologies such as satellites to help quantify emissions in subpart W . In addition , EPA is finalizing new methodologies that allow for the use of empirical data for quantifying emissions , including options added in response to public comments on the proposed rule . The final rule also allows for the optional earlier use of empirical data calculation methodologies for facilities that prefer to use them to quantify 2024 emissions . These changes will improve transparency and expand the options for owners and operators to submit empirical data to demonstrate their effort to reduce methane emissions and identify whether a Waste Emissions Charge is owed , based on thresholds set by Congress .
Advanced measurement technologies , and their use for annual quantification of emissions , are evolving rapidly . EPA is committed to transparent and continual improvements to its programs to account for these advancements while ensuring reporting is accurate and complete . The agency intends to take the following steps to gather further information about advanced measurement technologies and to inform potential regulatory changes or other standard setting programs that encourage the use of more accurate and comprehensive
30 JUNE 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com