E&E News reported on Wednesday that the Biden administration is preparing to finalize a multitude of emissions rules and regulations in the coming months.
The regulations and policies are centered on methane, a greenhouse gas with greater potency than carbon dioxide but a faster rate of dissipation.
These measures are consistent with the administration’s pledge to address climate change through a “whole-of-government” approach.
In the months leading up to the 2024 election, the Biden administration intends to finalize a plethora of methane regulations, which would make it more difficult for a potential Republican administration to repeal the rules should President Joe Biden lose.
A definitive rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production, refining, transport, and storage is currently under review by the White House.
The rule may be formalized on December 2, when the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates will convene for a methane summit at the forthcoming United Nations climate conference.
Last week, the Biden administration and China reached a mutual commitment to collaborate on methane emission control.
However, the Chinese climate envoy has exhibited reluctance towards advocating for the complete abandonment of fossil fuels, and China has approved an average of two new coal plants per week in 2022.
E&E News reports that the EPA also intends to finalize regulations regarding vehicle and power plant emissions in the future months.
A distinct EPA methane tax regulation originating from Biden’s signature climate measure, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is presently undergoing evaluation by the White House and is anticipated to be completed by early 2024. The regulation will be formulated using revised and more stringent criteria for reporting.
In the interim, the administration is collaborating with other nations and the European Union to develop new international standards that will grant privileged access to the European market for low-methane natural gas.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is developing a regulation for the detection and remediation of methane leaks in pipelines.
Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is formulating a methane regulation that specifically addresses leaks originating from gas and hydrocarbon operations conducted on federal lands.
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