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Pearce: New EPA Methane Regulations Derail Jobs

Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM 2)

  Las Cruces, N.M. – U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce’s office statement following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of its proposed rule to limit methane emissions from oil and natural gas development:

“In the already-stretched New Mexico oil and gas economy, these unnecessary, costly regulations will handicap development and derail new jobs,” said Pearce spokesman Tom Intorcio.  “Thanks to the recent energy boom, natural gas production has created thousands of jobs nationally, lowered electric bills for hard-working families, and given a lift to American manufacturing.  Despite the increase in U.S. natural gas production, methane emissions from wells have declined significantly. Existing state regulations, voluntary best practices, and innovation are responsible for this trend.  Imposing more burdensome federal regulations is not the answer and will only lead to reduced natural gas production and higher utility bills. If this Administration really wanted to reduce methane emissions without hurting our economy, it could expedite permitting processes, which would allow America’s energy producers to expand and help create a healthy economy,” Intorcio added.

According to the EPA’s latest data, methane emissions from natural gas production have DECLINED 38 percent since 2005, a period when production increased by more than 25 percent. In addition, methane emissions from hydraulically fractured natural gas wells DECLINED 79 percent.