December 4, 2023 – Business leaders across the U.S. are celebrating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for adopting stronger rules to reduce methane emissions. These new regulations strengthen leak detection and repair standards, expand inspections of closed wells, and establish third-party monitoring programs for super emitters.
“The EPA’s new methane rules are a huge win for both the climate and local communities,” said Michael Green, Director of Climate & Energy Policy at the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN). “Methane regulation is not only good for our climate – it’s good for business. Reducing methane pollution will prevent environmental harm, reduce pricing uncertainty and market volatility, and stimulate investment and innovation.”
Methane makes up about 12% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions but is responsible for 25% of current global warming, trapping 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. The new EPA methane rules represent a critical step toward mitigating climate change.
ASBN has long advocated for methane pollution reduction, emphasizing in its “Business Case for Methane Emissions Reduction” that a shift away from an extractive economy—through strong regulation and public policy—will drive private investment and innovation. During the EPA’s public comment period, ASBN businesses submitted 240 comments in favor of stronger methane regulations, demonstrating strong business community support for a clean energy economy.
The EPA’s announcement comes as world leaders gather at COP28, the U.N. Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates. “As global leaders take on the climate crisis, the U.S. must lead by example with ambitious climate policies,” added Green.
Media Contact:
📧 Michael Green, ASBN Director of Climate & Energy Policy – mgreen@asbnetwork.org
📧 Clare Fauke, ASBN Communications Lead – clare@asbnetwork.org
