House, Senate Introduce Resolutions to Walk Back on Methane Pollution

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Sen. Hoeven (R-ND) and Rep. Pfluger (R-TX) today introduced in their respective chambers Congressional Review Act resolutions seeking to repeal a recent rulemaking on the methane polluter fee, an important safeguard from dangerous methane waste and pollution from the oil and gas industry. Their proposed resolutions target a rule implementing the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s waste emissions charge, which is a commonsense fee based on the principle that polluters should be responsible for excessive pollution. The methane polluter fee aims to cut excessive waste, secure American energy, create jobs and only applies to oil and gas companies that do not meet the industry’s own pollution reduction targets.

“Repealing the implementing rule would only cause chaos and uncertainty for operators in the implementation of a program that is still required by law. Methane leaks from the oil and gas industry are a huge waste of valuable energy resources. In the U.S. alone, enough natural gas is wasted from leaks, venting and flaring every year to meet the annual needs of 12 million households. The methane polluter fee is a practical, cost-effective solution to reduce wasted natural gas. But a few members of Congress today proposed a reckless resolution that will create chaos, waste America’s natural resources and harm Americans’ health and the economy. Congress should reject this misguided attempt to allow oil and gas companies to avoid responsibility for their waste and pollution.”