Crist, Deutch Introduce Bill to Reduce Methane Emissions

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) announced introduction of the Methane Emissions Reduction Act to put a price on methane and curb methane emissions by the oil and natural gas industry in the United States.

Methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, is responsible for about 25% of observed global warming, with the oil and gas industry accounting for at least one third of all anthropogenic methane emissions. Recent estimates suggest that methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations are 60% higher than previously estimated.

"As a peninsula on a peninsula, Pinellas County is Ground Zero for climate change," said Rep. Crist. "Methane is a key driver of our changing climate, and we must significantly reduce its emission to protect our homes, businesses, and livelihoods, not only here in Pinellas, but across the country. Our legislation will help to combat the climate crisis by making methane polluters pay and using the money to improve the resiliency of coastal communities like Pinellas."

"If we're serious about addressing climate change and the warming planet, we need a plan to effectively reduce methane gas emissions," said Rep. Deutch. "Having a price on methane emissions will drive a change in behavior by the oil and natural gas industry to curb the release of this potent greenhouse gas. The Methane Emissions Reduction Act is an aggressive response to harmful methane emissions and would significantly reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and reduce waste."

The Methane Emissions Reduction Act would require the Treasury Department to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA to develop a program to measure methane emissions annually in each oil and gas producing basin. Beginning in 2023, the Treasury Department would assess a fee on methane emissions on a basin-to-basin basis. The fee would cover all companies that produce, gather, process, or transmit oil and gas in a given basin. Oil and gas producing companies that have taken steps to control methane emissions would be eligible to opt out and participate in an alternative fee program. Money raised from the fee on methane emissions would go toward the National Coastal Resilience Fund to help restore and strengthen barriers that protect coastal communities.

Reps. Crist and Deutch also introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, a bill that would put a price on carbon and return 100% of the net revenue as a rebate to Americans.

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