EPA to hold webinars on final rule to reduce methane from oil and natural gas operations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold several public webinars in February and March on the agency’s final rule that will sharply reduce methane and other harmful air pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry, including from hundreds of thousands of existing sources nationwide, promote the use of cutting-edge methane detection technologies, and deliver significant economic and public health benefits.
Oil and natural gas operations are the nation’s largest industrial source of methane, a climate “super pollutant” that is many times more potent than carbon dioxide and is responsible for approximately one third of the warming from greenhouse gases occurring today. Sharp cuts in methane emissions are among the most critical actions the United States can take in the short term to slow the rate of climate change.
Information about the webinars is below. All webinars are free and open to the public; however, presentations are geared toward specific audiences.
Overview Training Webinars
These webinars will provide overviews of the final rule, with a focus on the audiences listed below. Note: All times are listed in Eastern time. Please adjust for your time zone as needed:
- Tuesday, Feb. 27: 2:30-5 p.m. for small businesses and industry.
- Wednesday, Feb. 28: 2:30-5 p.m. for Tribal Nations and Tribal environmental professionals.
- Thursday, Feb. 29: 6-8:30 p.m. for communities.
Alternative Test Method - Advanced Methane Detection Technology Webinar
This webinar will focus on the options in the final rule for using advanced methane detection technologies, like satellite monitoring, aerial surveys, and continuous monitors, to find leaks or super-emitter events. It will include details on the process for applying to use alternative test methods and what needs to be included in the application. The webinar will be from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.