Leading House Republicans who back federal policies to curb climate change say they oppose the Trump administration’s move Thursday to eliminate direct federal regulation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
“I have serious concerns about this decision by the EPA,” Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida told the Washington Examiner.
Rooney is the chairman of the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus and the leading Republican proponent in Congress of a carbon tax.
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule to reverse regulations imposed by the Obama administration in 2016 requiring oil and gas companies to install technologies to inspect and repair wells, pipelines, and storage facilities that leak methane. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is more potent than carbon dioxide, although its emissions don’t last as long in the atmosphere.
Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana, the top Republican on the House Select Climate Crisis Committee, also said he opposes EPA’s proposed action to stop direct federal regulation of methane.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Graves was asked if he supports the EPA’s decision.
“I don’t think I do. No. Based upon the reports, I do have some concerns at this point,” Graves said.
Graves added: “Methane has greater global warming potential than many other greenhouse gases. To the extent we can sensibly capture fugitive emissions, we should do it.”
Rooney noted that major companies have warned the Trump administration that limiting federal oversight over methane leaks damages the industry’s reputation. Some individual companies, such as Shell, BP, and Exxon, urged the EPA to keep Obama-era regulations targeting methane leaks, instead of weakening them.
“Even the major oil companies agree that this rule rollback is unnecessary,” Rooney said. “The only entities pushing this change are certain independent producers who do not want to spend the money to comply with the higher standards that provide greater protection for our environment.”
