· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new fee on methane emissions from oil and gas companies during the U.N. Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan
• This first-ever federal fee, enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act, starts at $900 per metric ton of methane in 2024, rising to $1,500 by 2026
• The recent election of Donald Trump, however, puts the fee at risk of repeal, as he has pledged to reverse climate regulations
🔭 The context: Methane is a significant greenhouse gas, responsible for about one-third of recent global warming and 80 times more potent than CO₂ over short periods
• The Biden administration aimed to reduce methane emissions in line with climate targets, while the American Petroleum Institute has called the fee a “punitive tax” that could impact U.S. energy production
• With Trump’s energy policy priority - to repealing climate policies impacting the fossil fuel industry, regulation of methane emission is uncertain
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Methane reduction is critical for immediate climate impact; EPA estimates that this rule could prevent 1.2 million metric tons of methane emissions by 2035—equivalent to taking nearly 8 million gas-powered cars off the road for a year
• This fee incentivizes oil and gas companies to invest in cleaner operations and reduce harmful leaks, flaring, and emissions
⏭️ What’s next: Trump’s administration is expected to challenge or repeal the methane fee if it takes effect, potentially stalling or reversing its climate benefits
• Environmental groups continue to advocate for methane reduction, while oil and gas companies debate compliance costs and possible exemptions
💬 One quote: “Polluters should be responsible for their fair share,” - Mark Brownstein, senior vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund
📈 One stat: The methane fee could prevent 1.2 million metric tons of methane emissions by 2035, per EPA estimates
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