The EU Regulation on the Reduction of Methane emissions in the Energy sector ("MERR") seeks to reduce methane emissions from the EU's fossil fuel production and import. The MERR includes obligations to report on and limit the...more
The final regulations retain the general framework of the proposed regulations, with some important modifications based upon comments from industry members. The acquisition and retirement of energy attribute certificates...more
Today, the European Commission published the document “Questions and answers on importer requirements of EU Methane Regulation (EU) 2024/1787” (the “Methane Q&A”). In short, the Methane Q&A is an attempt, but an insufficient...more
On 27 September 2024, the European Commission (“EC”) published draft rules defining “low-carbon hydrogen” and derivative “low-carbon fuels” in the EU (the “Draft Low-Carbon Hydrogen DA”). A public consultation is now open...more
The Environmental Protection Agency intends to issue a rule updating its Clean Air Act emission standards for new and existing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills to cut methane and other harmful landfill gas emissions....more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on June 21, 2024, released a $850 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas...more
On May 14, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule requirements for petroleum and natural gas systems under 40 C.F.R. Part 98, Subpart W in the Federal Register....more
On January 12, 2024, the EPA announced a proposed new rule entitled Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems (the "Proposed Rule"). As required by Congress pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA"),...more
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signaled in mid-February 2024 that they plan to release a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to issue $1 billion through financial...more
Key Takeaways - • What Is Happening? On January 12, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule to implement the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Methane Waste Emissions Charge (WEC). The...more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has proposed regulations for calculating methane emissions fees required beginning this year under the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA"). Section 136 of the Clean Air Act (added...more
The WEC Rule would impose fees for oil and gas facilities reporting a certain amount of greenhouse gas emissions per year. On January 26, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal...more
Key Takeaways - • What Is Happening? On December 2, 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final Clean Air Act (Act) rule designed to...more
The Situation: The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") finalized regulations designed to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 80% in coming years at both new and existing facilities. The regulations...more
The Situation: The Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") requires the U.S Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to finalize new greenhouse gas reporting rules for the petroleum and natural gas industry based on "empirical...more
ESG is increasingly vying for airtime in oil and gas boardrooms as leaders grapple with how best tackle environmental, social and governance challenges. This follows a trend of ESG support throughout all sectors of the U.S....more
Oil and gas manufacturers have long relied on a process known as “flaring” to limit the venting of natural gas from their refineries. Specifically, flaring is the process of burning natural gas escaping from oil and gas wells...more
The Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) includes a variety of incentives, including tax credits and grants, for US industries to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. The IRA also includes a significant “disincentive” for...more
The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) contains several new provisions related to methane emissions impacting oil and gas companies, including upstream and midstream. Companies who already report emissions to the...more
On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a proposed rule that is intended to significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) and other air pollutants from the crude oil and...more
In the upcoming weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is expected to release a proposed rule that would greatly expand methane regulations for the oil and gas sector. While EPA has previously issued regulations...more
After two years of rulemaking, and more than a year of public comments, on Thursday, March 25, 2021, New Mexico’s Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) unanimously approved new regulations on natural gas emissions that require...more
Here’s why institutional investors, private equity firms and oil and gas companies facing ESG challenges should take a closer look into how they can take an active part in mitigating gas flaring....more
Reports on the inevitable death of the fossil fuel industry are overdone (assuming it isn’t kidnapped in the middle of the night by the next administration and murdered by litigation, regulation and executive fiat). ...more
A proposed rule by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could reduce costs for oil and gas producers and processors by eliminating certain air emission requirements. The EPA issued a proposed rule on August 29 to roll...more