Palmer Opposes EPA Methane Rule That Punishes Energy Production

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Environment, strongly opposes the EPA's newly proposed rule on methane emissions that will apply to new or modified oil or natural gas sources. The effect will be to discourage the development of America's vast untapped energy reserves and to increase the cost of energy. This will disproportionately hurt the poorest and most vulnerable Americans.

Citing a study conducted by the University of Texas in coordination with the Environmental Defense Fund, Palmer noted that methane emissions represented approximately 0.38 percent of the total natural gas withdrawal and production in 2012.

"In 2014, the EPA noted that methane emission from fracking has fallen 73 percent since 2011, and overall methane emission from U.S. natural gas emissions has declined by at least 15% percent since 1990,'' Palmer said. "The research noted that a small number of sites accounted for the majority of those emissions, suggesting that technology already in use across the industry is effectively managing methane leakage."

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