Sen. Carper Praises Administration’s Initiative to Cut Methane Emissions

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after President Obama announced a new goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025, and a set of actions to put the U.S. on a path to achieve this goal.

“I applaud President Obama for taking an important step to reduce America’s methane emissions, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. Our country’s energy production boom has brought many benefits – including lower energy prices and increased economic prosperity – but it also comes with a responsibility to ensure that this development happens with proper protections for our environment and public health, especially, the air we breathe.

“The oil and gas industry has made significant strides in improving its operations to reduce its environmental impact, but the sector’s emissions are still projected to rise more than 25 percent by 2025 if we don’t take steps to mitigate them. We can’t afford inaction. When methane emissions escape in energy production, we are wasting a limited energy resource and damaging our air. It’s a lose-lose. We can do better and today’s action from the administration is an important part of that ongoing effort.

“Since coming to the Senate, I have been a strong supporter of climate change legislation and I’ve been disappointed that we haven’t been able to come together to pass bipartisan legislation. Since Congress has been unable to act, I fully support the administration’s efforts to reduce our environmental footprint through common-sense regulations. Like President Obama, I see the effort to curb emissions and reduce the harmful impacts of climate change as a great opportunity we must seize in order to produce energy responsibly and grow our economy while simultaneously protecting our environment and public health.”