US EPA halts methane rule for industry
WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The US Environmental Protection Agency on May 31 halted methane emission standards for oil and gas companies in its latest move to unwind Obama administration climate change rules, amid reports that the US will withdraw from a global climate change agreement.
The agency issued a 90-day stay of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the oil and gas industry, which require companies to capture fugitive emissions, obtain engineer certifications and install leak detention devices while it reconsiders the rule.
The rule, completed last year under former President Barack Obama, was due to go into effect on June 3. The EPA said it expects to prepare a proposed rule and launch a public comment period after the stay.
Environmental groups, such as the Environmental Defense Fund, have vowed to block the EPA move in court.
Methane is the second-most-prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Although it lasts in the atmosphere for only 20 years, methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat.
Reporting By Valerie Volcovici; editing by Steve Orlofsky
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