The Wilderness Society, in collaboration with four other environmental organizations, issued a joint statement this week in response to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) final rule on methane waste. This newly released regulation is the first significant update to rules that have been in place for decades.
The joint statement was also signed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Earthjustice, Western Environmental Law Center, and Western Organization of Resource Councils. The groups claim the final rule is designed to minimize natural gas waste resulting from routine venting and flaring during oil and gas extraction on federal and tribal lands.
"Strong Interior Department methane waste rules are integral for the United States to protect taxpayers from wasted energy resources," said Jon Goldstein, EDF Senior Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs. "Taking action to limit methane waste on public lands offers a win-win-win for taxpayers, producers and communities harmed by this waste and associated pollution."
A press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior indicates that between 2010 and 2020, federal and Indian onshore lessees reported an average venting and flaring of approximately 44.2 billion cubic feet per year.
The final rule, which was unveiled on March 27, obligates oil and gas companies to implement measures to prevent wasteful practices, detect leaks promptly, and rectify them. It also ensures fair compensation for taxpayers and tribal mineral owners through royalty payments.
According to the statement from the environmental groups, venting and flaring release not only methane but also pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to ozone or smog formation. The emissions impact communities situated near oil and gas production facilities or those living around federally owned or Tribal minerals.
"Eliminating waste from routine venting and flaring of associated gas conserves domestic energy resources, ensures taxpayers benefit from the development of publicly-owned minerals, lessens oil and gas production’s negative impact on the climate, and protects the health of frontline communities," stated Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center.
"The health risks increase the closer people live, work, and go to school near oil and gas facilities – it’s crucial federal agencies move forward on strong implementation and enforcement of these new rules,” he said.
