The new rules are significantly less stringent in mandating repair of methane leaks and regulation of emissions.
Earlier this month, the EPA announced a rule that shifts the focus on direct methane regulation to volatile organic compounds. This final rollback is the last step in the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle emissions regulations instituted during the Obama administration.
"The rules replacing the Obama standard provide laxer requirements for how new and modified oil and gas production and processing operations must find and repair methane leaks, a significant contributor to climate change. Owners of transmission and storage infrastructure, which faced requirements under the Obama rule, are exempted from the standard," reports Jean Chemnick.
Environmentalists and policy experts say reversing these regulatory changes could take years. "The Environmental Defense Fund estimates that [the final] rules will result in an additional 4.5 million metric tons of methane annually compared with the Obama regime they replace," writes Chemnick.
FULL STORY: Trump Administration Completes Climate Dismantling with Methane Rollback
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Utah DOT Plans to Expand Interstate Despite Local Concerns
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An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement
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Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
