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Industry Encourages U.S. Senate to Overturn BLM Methane Rule

One of the energy industry’s near-term priorities is a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) methane venting and flaring rule. The rule, which was finalized in December 2016, requires oil and gas producers on public and tribal land to cut well flaring in half and to limit storage tank venting.

Industry has expressed concern with the rule indicating the added cost of compliance could lead to the shutting in of a significant number of wells on federal lands, reducing domestic energy production and decreasing revenues to the U.S. Treasury.

The CRA provides a streamlined process for Congress to disapprove a final agency rule.  While the CRA was enacted more than 20 years ago, it has rarely been used.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the CRA to overturn BLM’s rule in February 2017 and the measure now awaits action by the Senate.  Per CRA requirements, the Senate must pass the resolution against the BLM’s methane rule within 60 legislative days (deadline expected to be in early May).

If you have any questions, please contact PESA Sr. Director of Public Policy, Jean Gould.

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