API: Smarter regulations strengthen U.S. energy security and protect public health

WASHINGTON, September 11, 2018 – API issued the following statement regarding EPA’s proposed amendments to its air emissions standards regulating the oil and natural gas industry.

“We welcome EPA’s efforts to get this right and the proposed changes could ensure that the rule is based on best engineering practices and cost-effective,” Senior Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman. “Significantly, methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry are already down 14 percent since 1990 while production has increased by 50 percent. Clean natural gas produced through advanced technologies like hydraulic fracturing has helped reduce carbon emissions to 25-year lows. U.S. air quality continues to improve as the natural gas and oil industry remains committed to reaching our shared goals of protecting public health and the environment while meeting the nation’s energy needs.  

“API supports cost-effective, achievable regulations targeting our mutual objective of reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds that, as a co-benefit , also reduce methane.  

“Industry will continue to develop and employ the most efficient and effective technologies to help these trends continue, while working with academia and state and federal governments to achieve comprehensive, science-based best practices and regulations.”  

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 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 47 million Americans.