US to issue further methane regulation

EPA says new rules will reduce an estimated 36mn t of methane emissions between 2023-35

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the strengthening of its proposed standards to cut methane and other harmful air pollution. The updates, which supplement proposed standards EPA released in November 2021, reflect input and feedback from a broad range of stakeholders. They would ensure that all well sites are routinely monitored for leaks until they are closed properly and enable industry to use innovative and cost-effective methane detection technologies. The updates also require that flares are properly operated to reduce emissions, establish emission standards for currently unregulated dry seal compressors, increase recovery rates of natural gas, and leverage data