The American Petroleum Institute expressed concern about proposed energy production regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. API outlined various challenges associated with the EPA's goals in an Aug. 9 news release.
“We urge EPA to comprehensively analyze the potential reliability risks of its proposal, recognizing it coincides with rising U.S. electricity demand," API Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Dustin Meyer said in the release. "Today natural gas is responsible for 40% of electricity generation in America, helping meet growing demand and balancing variable renewable resources."
API recently commented on regulations proposed by the EPA that claim the API, along with other organizations, are too ambitious, not leaving enough time for energy producers to make the changes needed to comply, the release reported.
API said in order for cleaner energy production technologies to be put into operation, other steps must be taken, including the building of “significant amounts of new infrastructure,” the release said. This building, API notes, is becoming more and more of a challenge due a “complex and outdated” process of obtaining permits.
Meyer said although there exists within the American energy industry a movement toward cleaner, more carbon efficient production, various regulatory challenges stand in the way. He indicated the transition to other methods of energy production is a long process, especially with increasing demand, according to the release.
Several specific areas of concern are outlined regarding the proposed regulations, not least of which is the additional pipeline construction that will be necessitated by them, the release said. This extra distance of pipeline is to be 20,000 to 25,000 miles, which is reportedly four to five times the “existing footprint.” Other concerns include carbon storage, permits and more.
The American Petroleum Institute, according to its website, employs more than 11 million people and produces most of the country’s energy. It was started in 1919 and works with policy makers and other authorities to achieve energy goals.
