Living With Oil and Gas: Why we need the BLM Methane Rule
Sen. Tester and Sen. Daines: Uphold BLM rules on methane waste
In 2016, I traveled to Dickinson, North Dakota, for a Department of the Interior hearing concerning preventing the waste of methane from oil and gas drilling on Bureau of Land Management lands. An overwhelming number of those who gave testimony were in favor of updating regulations to prevent methane loss when drilling on these lands. New regulations were approved in December that curtail flaring, venting, and leaking of oil and gas wells that are developing publicly own minerals. The gases that are now being wasted at these wells have monetary value which should be realized for the American public. The American public was losing an estimated $330 million yearly because of this waste. Methane is also three times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2, making its loss into the atmosphere a major concern. The accompanying byproducts released are also a serious health hazard especially where extensive drilling has occurred.
In the next few days Congress will try to repeal these waste prevention protections using the Congressional Review Act. The CRA allows Congress to kill new regulations which an agency has put into effect within the last 60 days and prevents any similar regulations from being enacted in the future. So, if this goes through, the Department of the Interior will not be allowed to prevent methane waste on BLM lands now or in the future.
Please contact Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. Jon Tester and ask them to uphold the BLM methane rules.
- Sue Beug
Carbon County, MT
Sue is a participant in Living With Oil and Gas. Sue is from Carbon County, MT where she has dealt with proposed and existing oil and gas development. Sue grew up in Weld County Colorado where her family owns land near oil and gas development.
Vote “no” on Methane and Waste Prevention Rule repeal
In November 2016, the Bureau of Land Management finalized the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule to replace outdated regulations that reduce flaring, venting and unnecessary leaking of methane and other harmful pollutants into the air on public and tribal lands.
Every year the oil and gas industry releases millions of tons of methane into the air. Between 2009 and 2014, oil and gas producers on public and tribal lands vented, flared, and leaked about 375 billion cubic feet of natural gas. That’s enough to supply over 5 million homes for one year.
Why should this matter? Because our state and tribal tax dollars are being burned or vented into the atmosphere. In North Dakota, oil development has overwhelmingly outpaced gas capture due to lack of infrastructure, a major oversight that has left reservations and public lands open to unnecessary flaring; and the oil industry has been given a free pass to willfully waste a valuable, finite resource.
The BLM’s rule would curb the intentional release of methane into the atmosphere and ensure that royalties are paid to fuel our state’s economy as well as ensure cleaner air quality. Under a rarely used measure called the Congressional Review Act (CRA), our Congressional Delegation will soon vote on a proposal to repeal the BLM’s rule. The CRA will also destroy the ability of any similar legislation to be brought forth.
North Dakotans are proud of our common sensibility and willingness to preserve our state legacy. We need our senators in Washington to act practically and ensure that air quality is improved and royalties are returned to our communities.
Sens. Heitkamp and Hoeven: vote “no” on the repeal.
- Lisa Deville
Mandaree, ND
Lisa was profiled on Living With Oil and Gas. Lisa and her family live in the heart of the Bakken formation on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
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