B.C. Needs a Stronger Methane Reduction Policy for the Oil and Gas Sector

Methane is a highly-potent greenhouse gas that’s 86 times worse for the climate than carbon dioxide, and reducing methane emissions could be one of the fastest and cheapest ways to prevent climate collapse. To do that, the provincial government needs to act swiftly to strengthen its policy on methane.

Given the urgency of our climate crisis, British Columbia has every reason to commit to reaching near-zero methane from oil and gas by 2030 – rather than near-zero by 2035.

Methane emissions from oil and gas have historically been seriously undercounted, with severe consequences for the climate. That’s why B.C’s methane regulations must include transparent and verifiable monitoring and reporting requirements to measure progress, to ensure that companies are taking action.

Together, let's call on the provincial government to raise the bar on methane reduction commitments, and take clear and urgent action to save our climate.

Sign the petition telling the B.C. government to commit to near-zero methane emissions by 2030.

To: Government of British Columbia Click to see full petition text

I’m calling on the B.C. government to act with urgency by strengthening its methane emission reduction policy, while committing to near-zero methane from oil and gas by 2030 – rather than near-zero by 2035.

Methane emissions from oil and gas have historically been seriously undercounted, with severe consequences for the climate. A peer-reviewed study in Environmental Science and Technology in 2021 found that the B.C. oil and gas sector could be emitting more than twice the amount of methane previously reported.

With this in mind, B.C.’s methane regulations must include strong measurement, monitoring, and reporting requirements to evaluate progress and to ensure that companies are taking the appropriate actions.

This includes:

• Comprehensive, monthly leak detection and repair (LDAR) surveys at all sites. It is well-established that equipment leaks are unpredictable, showing the need for frequent and independent inspections to identify and repair leaks.

• Top-down aerial surveys (satellite, airplane, helicopter, or drone) that are conducted on a regular basis to ensure that companies are complying with regulations. Studies show that top-down measurements can identify more leaks than on-site inspections and are necessary to perform concurrently.

• Require companies to report methane emissions by source, which is currently required by the EPA.

• Eliminate venting and flaring. Venting and flaring are responsible for a significant amount of methane emissions, and venting emissions are consistently underreported. Some U.S. states have already implemented strong regulations for venting and flaring (for example, Colorado has prohibited routine venting and flaring at all wells).

• Require zero-bleed pneumatic devices and pumps for all new and existing sites. Cost-effective zero-emissions pneumatic pumps and controllers are available now. The U.S. EPA has proposed draft regulations that require elimination of all pneumatics emissions.

Effective methane reductions would provide one of the fastest and lowest-cost methods towards ensuring near-term climate benefits. But, it’s critical that taxpayers are not responsible for bearing the cost of those delayed environmental protections. B.C. must uphold the polluter pays principle and its promise to end domestic public financing for fossil fuels.

Given the exceptional near-term benefits of methane emission reductions, as well as accelerating climate disasters that elicit an emergency response, I’m calling on the B.C. government to strengthen its methane emissions policy by 2025, and to set a stronger target of near-zero methane by 2030.

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