API praises House action on unnecessary Methane and Waste Prevention rule

WASHINGTON, February 3, 2017 – API President and CEO Jack Gerard applauded today’s announcement that the House of Representatives will seek to eliminate the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) duplicative and costly methane controls for many of the very same emission sources already regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the states.  

“The United States leads the world in the production and refining of oil and natural gas, as well as in the reduction of carbon emissions. BLM’s rule is technically flawed and redundant, and it could impede the technological innovations that have led to increased domestic use of cleaner-burning natural gas – the main reason U.S. energy-related carbon emissions have fallen to levels not seen since the early 1990s.

“The rule’s unnecessary requirements could result in the shut-in of a number of currently producing wells, reducing revenues to the federal treasury and the supply of affordable energy for American consumers and businesses. Given the broad impacts to U.S. oil and natural gas production on Indian and federal lands, the lack of authority by BLM to regulate air quality and the fact that U.S. producers already are highly incented to capture methane for delivery to American consumers, it is appropriate for the Congress to use the CRA to disapprove this redundant and unnecessary regulation.

“We applaud the efforts to strengthen and rationalize U.S. energy policies and stand ready to work with Congress and the new administration on a smarter, science-based regulatory approach to continue meeting America’s energy needs and expanding U.S. global energy and environmental leadership.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.