Energy Exchange: Methane
New report: Routine flaring in Texas’ Permian can be eliminated at little to no cost
3 years 3 months ago
A new analysis commissioned by EDF from Rystad Energy makes clear that flaring from Texas’ Permian oil and gas operations is persistent and is likely to increase in coming years as production rebounds from 2020, but that industry can eliminate most routine flaring at zero cost with simple rules and operator changes. Following are key […]
Colin Leyden
How oil & gas states did (and did not) protect land and water in 2020
3 years 3 months ago
More than 30 states actively regulate oil and gas development with a variety of practices and rules designed to reduce health, safety and environmental impacts. States engage in a process of continuous improvement by adopting new rules and practices as technologies and risk mitigation techniques evolve — even in an extraordinary year like 2020. EDF […]
Adam Peltz
What Biden’s methane focus means for energy industry, its investors
3 years 3 months ago
A journey of miles starts with a single step, and for the U.S. oil and gas industry and its financiers, supporting strong and swift methane regulation by the incoming Biden administration is a big step on the road to climate progress. Cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is the single fastest thing […]
Ben Ratner
5 opportunities for renewed American climate leadership on methane
3 years 5 months ago
With Joe Biden winning the 2020 U.S. presidency, attention now shifts to how his administration will prioritize domestic and international climate action in the context of COVID-19 and its related economic repercussions. Among the most powerful elements of a reinvigorated American climate strategy is assertive action to reduce methane pollution. At least 25% of today’s […]
Sam Kotis
The connection between jobs and addressing orphan oil and gas wells
3 years 5 months ago
All across the country right now, there are tens of thousands of officially documented “orphan” oil and gas wells creating environmental hazards for their communities. These are wells that the oil and gas industry walked away from because they became uneconomic over time. Rather than properly sealing them, they left state and federal taxpayers holding […]
Elgie Holstein
Will Trudeau make good on Canada’s 2025 climate promises?
3 years 5 months ago
This piece was originally published in The Hill Times A lot can change in a short period of time. Just a few months ago, I lauded Canada’s leadership on climate, in general, and on methane pollution in particular. In 2018, the Trudeau government introduced the world’s first national oil and gas regulations limiting emissions of […]
Sam Kotis
Another study reveals Permian methane levels are abnormally high, reinforcing need for action
3 years 6 months ago
By Jon Goldstein and David Lyon A new peer-reviewed study published today once again confirms the Permian Basin has some of the leakiest oil and gas wells in the country. For the study, researchers with the University of Wyoming used a mobile methane laboratory to quantify emissions from 46 randomly selected well pads in New […]
EDF Blogs
Amid federal rollbacks, new study shows stronger methane rules make economic sense for New Mexico
3 years 6 months ago
Over the past month, the Trump administration has pressed forward with rollbacks of federal protections from oil and gas methane pollution — a move that will result in millions of tons of additional emissions every year and endanger public health, air quality and our climate. The loss of these protections underscores the importance of Gov. […]
Jon Goldstein
Simplifying the debate about routine flaring
3 years 6 months ago
There is broad and growing agreement that the practice of routinely flaring natural gas in Texas must quickly come to an end. The reason for this is obvious. Setting fire to natural gas produced at oil wells is a significant waste of resources and releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide, methane and other harmful pollution […]
Colin Leyden
By ending routine flaring, Colorado can once again lead the nation
3 years 6 months ago
Colorado doesn’t take a back seat to anyone when it comes to protecting residents from oil and gas development, and the state’s track record speaks for itself. In 2014, Colorado became the first state to directly regulate oil and gas methane emissions. Earlier this year, the state adopted nation-leading well integrity rules to protect residents […]
Jon Goldstein
Harnessing Europe’s climate diplomacy and energy policy to drive down methane worldwide
3 years 7 months ago
With the forthcoming EU Methane Strategy and a flurry of other energy proposals expected in the coming months, Europe has an incredible opportunity to lead — not just domestically but internationally — when it comes to reducing oil and gas methane emissions. This is the single most effective thing we can do to limit temperature […]
Sam Kotis
BP, Shell and investment giants call for Texas zero flaring regulations. Will others follow?
3 years 7 months ago
The first time I saw a natural gas flare in the oilfield was in 2015. Our team at Environmental Defense Fund was beginning to study methane emissions and collaborate with companies to solve the problem. Early one morning, we loaded into a van with industry collaborators and technology entrepreneurs, venturing out into the Eagle Ford […]
Ben Ratner
Texas oil and gas regulators offer a weak fix to flaring
3 years 8 months ago
This post was originally published in The Dallas Morning News After months of promising talk about curbing the oil and gas industry’s wasteful and polluting flaring habit, the Texas Railroad Commission unveiled a plan that does little to fix the problem. Despite calls from mineral owners, the public and even some in the industry itself […]
Colin Leyden
SoCalGas wants a lifeline to stay in business — suing California is not the answer.
3 years 8 months ago
Earlier this month, the largest gas utility in the country filed a lawsuit against the state of California for its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Southern California Gas Company claims in its suit that the California Energy Commission has not properly considered what role natural gas can play in a clean energy future. It […]
Michael Colvin
Zero routine flaring by 2025 and the Texas policy needed to get there
3 years 9 months ago
Routine flaring at oil and gas production sites in Texas has been a chronic issue for years, as the rampant process burns off viable fuel product while emitting carbon dioxide, methane and toxic pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. Yet momentum for eliminating the practice is building among investors, operators and landowners, pushing the state’s regulatory […]
Colin Leyden
Data underscores need to strengthen Pennsylvania’s methane rule proposal
3 years 9 months ago
In July, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection concluded its public comment period on proposed rules to curb methane emissions from existing oil and gas facilities. As the state weighs feedback, EDF analysis shows Pennsylvania operators emit over 1 million tons of methane annually — 16 times what they report to regulators — and underscores the […]
Hillary Hull
EU must take on its methane problem before turning to hydrogen
3 years 9 months ago
Facing dangerous levels of warming, Europe aspires to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. The oil and gas industry want us to believe natural gas can play a constructive role in this green energy future. And right now, these companies are lining up behind the idea that European Union policymakers should invest heavily in […]
Mark Brownstein
Climate leadership is Canada’s truest, best path to world stage
3 years 9 months ago
This piece was originally published in The Hill Times Pundits are wringing their hands over Canada’s frustrated bid for a temporary spot on the United Nations Security Council. But perhaps Canada was auditioning for the wrong role. What if the undeniable but short-term prestige has kept critics from recognizing a greater, more important place for […]
Sam Kotis
5 questions on flaring for investors to ask oil and gas companies
3 years 9 months ago
For investors concerned with environmental, social and governance issues, flaring poses one of the most immediate and material risks to shareholder value in the oil and gas industry. For an industry that prides itself on operational excellence, flaring is a waste of potentially saleable product and an unsustainable industry practice with detrimental climate and public […]
Dominic Watson
Mexico can rebuild a cleaner, stronger energy economy post COVID-19
3 years 10 months ago
This piece was first published in El Universal Times of great turmoil sometimes bring the opportunity for great progress. As leaders around the world work to protect the sick and vulnerable from COVID-19, while also moving to restart their economies, they have a chance to rebuild better — creating a world that’s cleaner and healthier […]
Daniel Zavala-Araiza
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