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Ottawa Plans to Reduce B.C.’s Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Sector

methane emissions

At the United Nations COP27 summit, the United States and Canada promised to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. 

Canada revealed that it has published a proposal for new laws that will reduce methane emissions by 75% by 2030 compared to 2012 levels. The industry has until December 12 to submit its response to the proposed changes.

Natural gas and oil production in British Columbia account for the province’s second-highest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, after the transportation sector (particularly trucks and railroads).

The new regulations would cover more potential sources of methane, eliminate any exemptions, and push as many potential sources as possible to achieve zero emissions.

In order to comply with the new regulations, facilities must replace gas-powered compressors and valves with electric ones. This applies to processing plants, wells, and pipelines. 

Flaring–the burning of gas– and –the discharge of unburned gas would essentially be banned under the proposed regulations, which would also increase inspection programs and establish a uniform national monitoring and reporting system.

“Our work with the U.S. will strengthen regulatory ambition and alignment to support the competitiveness of our oil and gas sector. Cooperation between our two countries on methane emissions in the oil and gas sector is critical to fighting climate change, strengthening our economies, and protecting the health and safety of North Americans,” federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault said in a written statement.

President Joe Biden of the United States, the only leader of a major polluting country present at COP27, declared that for the first time ever, the United States government will mandate oil and gas producers to detect and repair methane leaks.

Methane, which has about 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years in the atmosphere, will be committed to the same requirements under Canada’s new regulations.

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers representatives, whose members account for 80% of the oil and gas industry and include important players in British Columbia, have stated that they are still analyzing details of the proposed regulatory framework, therefore they’re unable to comment at this time.

Original source material for this article taken from here

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Written by Olivia Woods

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