Texas sues Biden administration over finalized methane rule
Source: The Hill
03/08/24 4:02 PM ET
The state of Texas on Friday sued the Biden administration over an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule restricting methane emissions finalized earlier Friday morning. The lawsuit was requested in late January by the Texas Railroad Commission, the states primary oil and gas regulator, while the rule was still being finalized. In a request to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), the commission asked for legal action on the rule. Paxton responded Friday with a legal petition against the federal rule.
The EPA estimates the rule, first announced in 2023, could cut up to 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038. It adds more stringent requirements for practices such as flaring and plugging leaks. While methane dissipates from the atmosphere faster than carbon dioxide, it is far more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
In a statement in February, the Railroad Commission called the rule extremely unreasonable, and time-consuming, given that there have been vast improvements with reduced methane emissions in the state. The new rules will create an undue burden on regulators as well as the oil and gas industry, by forcing further emission reductions in remote, unmanned locations, the commission said.
Environmental advocacy and legal groups blasted the vote by the commission and the complaint from Paxtons office, noting the hazards associated with methane.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4519843-texas-sues-biden-administration-finalized-methane-rule/
walkingman
(7,675 posts)they have to stop spewing their nasty shit everywhere. They own the politicians here in Texas and in most of the US for that matter.
SouthernDem4ever
(6,617 posts)Oh wait, that's most of their politicians speaking.
Old Crank
(3,650 posts)love to kill people.
hamsterjill
(15,224 posts)But I certainly understand your sentiment.
I think I wanted to add politicians.
I'm sorry to have smeared you.
Marthe48
(17,055 posts)Hope the rwnj run the state into bankruptcy.
NickB79
(19,277 posts)But sure, refuse to regulate one of the strongest greenhouse gases in common use your state is emitting.
Just don't expect FEMA to have infinite funds to keep fixing your state after every climate disaster.
NanaCat
(1,358 posts)Given all the idiotic lawsuits they file. My mum has given up trying to figure out what has them so shirty so often over complete rot. Maybe someone else in Texas can try to explain what has them so vexatiously litigious?