The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to regulate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector as part of its ongoing climate change initiatives, mandating a reduction of 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels by 2025. Methane is the principal component of natural gas. The new rules are expected to be proposed this summer and completed by 2016. These rules would apply to new or modified sites. At existing oil and gas operations, EPA would rely mostly on voluntary measures for reducing methane emissions.(i]
