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GOP-led states urge Supreme Court to pause EPA plan to cut methane emissions by 80%

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Republican officials from 24 states, led by Oklahoma, have requested that the Supreme Court halt a Biden administration plan to reduce methane emissions by nearly 80% by 2038
• The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule, which took effect earlier this year, is part of broader efforts to combat climate change
• This latest appeal adds to ongoing challenges against Biden’s environmental regulations

🔭 The context: The appeals court in Washington, DC, previously denied the states' request to pause the methane regulations
• Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide
• Republican-led states argue the EPA's requirement for state-level compliance within two years is unrealistic and places undue pressure on the oil and gas industry

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Methane emissions significantly contribute to global warming, making their reduction critical for climate change mitigation
• The EPA’s plan aligns with broader goals to lower fossil fuel emissions and promote cleaner air quality
Pausing the rule could hinder efforts to address climate change impacts effectively

⏭️ What's next: The Supreme Court's conservative majority will likely take several weeks to decide on this emergency request
• The outcome could influence other ongoing and future challenges to Biden’s environmental policies, potentially shaping the regulatory landscape for the oil and gas sector

💬 One quote: “The EPA’s attack on the oil and gas industry comes as no surprise,” the states argued in their filing to the Supreme Court

📈 One stat:  Methane emissions from the oil and gas industry accounted for approximately 30% of all U.S. methane emissions in 2021, making it one of the largest sources of methane pollution in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency

Click for more news covering the latest on carbon

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