Wolf announces plans to reduce methane emissions
During a Facebook town hall meeting on environmental issues Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced new steps to reduce methane emissions, a leading contributor to greenhouse gas build-up and climate change, from natural gas wells, processing facilities and sites along the pipeline infrastructure.
Calling the changes “best in class measures” already used by industry leaders and mandated by other states, Wolf said they will “improve our air by addressing the urgent crisis of climate change and help businesses reclaim product that are being wasted.”
Besides the environmental damage caused by methane emissions and leaks, Wolf said that loss of product costs the industry millions of dollars a year.
In a later statement issued by Wolf’s office, details of the four-part plan were specified.
Addressing emissions from well sites, the state Department of Environmental Protection will develop a new general permit for oil and gas drilling and other actions requiring best available technologies related to equipment and processes, better recordkeeping and quarterly inspections.
With an eye on compressor station and processing plants, the DEP will update best available technologies requirements, strengthen leak, detection and repair measures and require the use of diesel engines that reduce particulate matter and nitrous oxide emissions by up to 90 percent.
As for existing oil and gas facilities, the DEP will develop regulations for the Environmental Quality Board as well as list best management practices, including leak detection and repair, for emissions along lines.
“We are uniquely positioned to be a national leader in addressing climate change while supporting and ensuring responsible energy development, creating new jobs and protecting public health and our environment,” Wolf said in the statement. “These are commonsense steps that Pennsylvania can take to protect our air and reduce waste for industry. The best companies understand the business case for reducing methane leaks, as what doesn’t leak into the atmosphere can be used for energy production.”
Wolf’s announcement drew praise from major environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Clean Air Council.
“Pennsylvanians are fed up with the fossil fuel industry and its near total disregard for our environment and public health,” said Justin Wasser, a Sierra Club Campaign representative, in a statement, “and we appreciate Gov. Wolf’s actions today, which represent a step in the right direction towards reducing the impact this industry places on our health, our climate and our environment.”
In a statement, American Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman warned against redundant regulations and noted that methane emissions from fracking wells has fallen 79 percent since 2005.
“Additional regulations on methane could discourage hydraulic fracturing and the shale energy revolution that has helped America lead the world in reducing emissions,” Wissman said. “Onerous and unnecessary new regulations could have a chilling effect on the American energy renaissance, our economy, and our incredible progress reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
During the Facebook town hall, Wolf reiterated his support for a severance tax on drilling and renewable energy incentives. Also, Wolf said he would not ban fracking and he insisted that his “clean power plan” for the state includes a role for coal, which has been hurt by the expansion of natural gas and lessening demand because of its impact on the environment.
“We want to help that industry,” Wolf said. “It’s a big industry in Pennsylvania.”