Rep. Peters Urges EPA Head Zeldin for Certainty on Methane Regulations

Methane Rule Certainty for Industry

• 💡 Rep. Scott Peters expressed gratitude for the EPA's work on the Tijuana Valley wastewater treatment plant and advancing timelines for solutions.
• 📌 Peters highlighted that the oil and gas industry, including major players like Exxon and Total Energy, desires bipartisan and durable regulation on methane emissions.
• 🎯 The industry is seeking a partial reconsideration of methane rules, preserving the majority of the existing structure, rather than a total overhaul.
• ⚠️ Peters warned that a complete repeal or overhaul of methane rules creates uncertainty for businesses that have invested billions in compliance.

Proposed Regulatory Approach

• 🔑 Peters suggested an emissions-specific rule rather than a technology directive, allowing industry to find its own solutions.
• 🤝 He proposed providing assistance to those struggling with compliance and sufficient time for implementation, with built-in enforceability.
• 🚀 The goal is to create a regulation that protects the environment while enabling businesses to achieve energy abundance and dominance through certainty.

Legislative vs. Regulatory Path

• 💬 Peters proposed that Congress could potentially craft a legislative deal on methane regulations within 30 days, bypassing the lengthy rulemaking process.
• 🤝 He asked EPA Administrator Zeldin if they would be willing to work on such a legislative solution simultaneously with the rulemaking process.
• ✅ Zeldin expressed willingness to provide technical assistance and answers from a regulatory standpoint but noted that legislation crafting is primarily for Congress.
• 🗣️ Zeldin stated he would be happy to sit down with Peters to hear his concerns and requests during the early stages of the rulemaking process, which includes a public comment period.