Biden's climate law targets methane emissions with financial penalties

The Inflation Reduction Act introduces a significant methane fee to curb emissions from the oil and gas industry.

In short:

The IRA mandates a $900 fee per metric ton for methane emissions exceeding a set threshold from 2024.
This fee could result in substantial financial liabilities for major oil and gas companies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating rules for methane emission reporting, aiming for more accurate and accountable measures.

Key quote:

"They're going to be beefing that process up in light of the methane fee, since now there's a financial incentive to misreport their emissions or omit certain things."

— Edwin LaMair, attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund

Why this matters:

The methane fee is a step toward holding the oil and gas industry accountable for its environmental impact. This approach reflects a growing emphasis on using economic incentives to drive significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

grist.org

Credit: Ahmet Kurt/Unsplash+

Utah regulators deny clean energy petition but signal support for future renewable opportunities

The Utah Public Service Commission rejected a request from clean energy advocates to compel Rocky Mountain Power to speed up renewable energy procurement, saying it lacks authority to direct resource decisions. Still, the ruling encourages the utility to pursue tax-credit-eligible projects to reduce costs for ratepayers.

Read the Full Article on

utahnewsdispatch.com

Biden's climate law targets methane emissions with financial penalties

Opinion: Why understanding climate science matters now more than ever

Utah regulators deny clean energy petition but signal support for future renewable opportunities

‘Unsustainable, unhealthy and ultimately unliveable’: Report reveals deadly cost of climate inaction

Potential wind slowdown threatens renewable energy and fuels heat domes

Oklahoma oil regulators failed to stop spread of toxic wastewater

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after disaster in Jamaica

America’s super-rich are running down the planet’s safe climate spaces, says Oxfam

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.