U.S. and Global Methane Regulation

May 2024
Citation:
54
ELR 10363
Issue
5
Author
Barry Rabe, Tomás Carbonell, Kyle Danish, Isabel Mogstad, and Romina Picolotti

Methane is estimated to be responsible for one-third of the global rise in temperatures from greenhouse gases; it is shorter-lived but much more potent than carbon dioxide. The United States and the European Union (E.U.) launched the Global Methane Pledge at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). At COP28’s Global Methane Pledge Ministerial last December, new strategies were announced, including the E.U.’s first-ever adoption of methane regulations and a final rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce methane from the oil and gas industry. On January 31, 2024, the Environmental Law Institute hosted a panel of experts to analyze these regulations, discuss strategies other countries are employing to reduce emissions, and consider whether these efforts will meet 2030 goals. This Dialogue presents a transcript of that discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.

Barry Rabe (moderator) is the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Environmental Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. Tomás Carbonell is the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Stationary Sources, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency. Kyle Danish is a Partner at Van Ness Feldman, LLP. Isabel Mogstad is the Interim Head of Policy and Federal Government Affairs at BP. Romina Picolotti is Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.

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