Mexico Advances on Methane, Raises the Bar for Canadian Climate Leadership

(AUSTIN, TX – July 30, 2018) The Mexican Government proposed new methane regulations today, delivering on a commitment Mexico made in trilateral accord with Canada and the United States to cut methane emissions from their oil and gas industries 40-45 percent by 2025. Prime Minister Trudeau took a critical step toward meeting Canada’s pledge with the federal methane regulations his government finalized in April. However, weak draft Alberta regulations now threaten Canada’s ability to live up to its commitments.

“Mexico is moving forward with an unmistakably strong regulatory package. Whether Trudeau will stand firm or let Alberta’s weak draft rules undermine Canada’s methane efforts will be a major test of his government’s climate resolve.”

        - Drew Nelson, International Affairs Director, Energy

Canadian law allows provincial regulations to replace national rules, so long as they provide an equal or better level of protection. Days before the federal methane rules published, Alberta unveiled its own draft methane rules. Analysis indicates a large emissions gap between the federal and Alberta regulations. Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna is expected to soon make a decision regarding an equivalency agreement with Alberta.

Alberta’s weak draft regulations are out of step with what Mexico, Canada, and every other jurisdiction regulating methane is doing. Alberta allows companies to intentionally vent gas at much higher levels and doesn’t require companies to frequently find and fix leaks.