The EPA today proposed new rules aimed at cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40-45% from 2012 levels by 2025. The rules would require companies to find and repair leaks, capture natural gas when fracked oil wells are completed and limit emissions from new and modified pneumatic pumps, compressors, pneumatic controllers and other equipment used at natural gas compression stations.
The American Petroleum Institute called the new rules “duplicative” and noted that methane emissions from hydraulically fractured natural gas wells has fallen 79% since 2005.
MORE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS: EPA's fracking study: The other shoe did not drop