The Biden administration proposed new rules that would limit methane leaks from oil and gas drilling on federal lands.
The proposal, released Monday by the Interior Department'sInterior Department's Bureau of Land Management, would put limitations on gas flaring on federal land and require energy companies to detect methane leaks better.
The proposal follows a plan announced by Biden at a global climate conference in Egypt earlier this month. The proposal targets the oil and gas industry for its role in global warming, according to the Nov. 11 proposal.
The proposal would prevent billions of cubic feet of natural gas from being wasted through venting, flaring and leaks, boosting efficiency and reducing pollution, administration officials said. The rule would impose monthly limits on flaring and charge fees for flaring that exceeds those limits.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the proposed rule will bring the regulations in line with technological advances that industry has made in the decades since the BLM's rules were first put in place, while providing a fair return to taxpayers.
No one likes to waste natural resources from our public lands. The draft rule is a common sense, environmentally responsible solution, as it addresses the damage wasted natural gas causes. BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said that it puts the American taxpayer first and ensures producers pay appropriate royalties.
The BLM will accept comments on the proposed rule through early February, with a final rule expected next year.
Since taking office in January 2021, President Biden has had a hostile relationship with the oil industry. Despite insisting earlier this month that there is no more drilling, the president has pressed energy producers for more oil drilling to lower prices at the pump.
Biden also accused oil companies of war profiteering and raised the possibility of imposing a windfall tax on energy companies if they don't boost domestic production.
This comes as the administration has eased oil sanctions on Venezuela, including allowing oil giant Chevron to expand operations there in exchange for Venezuela's government and opposition to resume talks.