Biden administration releases final methane rules for the oil and gas industry

The Biden administration on Saturday released its final rules regulating methane emissions from the oil and gas industry at the annual climate conference, COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“We’ve crafted these technology standards to advance American innovation and account for the industry’s leadership in accelerating methane technology,” Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

The rules, which are the first rules of President Joe Biden’s climate agenda to become final, will eliminate routine flaring, establish limits for high-emitting equipment like storage tanks, and require monitoring for leaks.

The rules also implement a program that utilizes third parties to report leaks, which industry groups have warned lacks standards to ensure accuracy.

The U.S. oil and gas industry has seen large drops in methane emissions since 2018, largely the result of a voluntary program called the Environmental Partnership.