RIVERSIDE - As the federal government retreats from its own efforts to reduce methane leaks, the California Air Resources Board today approved a new regulation aimed at curbing emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas that regularly escapes from oil and gas operations. The new rule is the most comprehensive of its kind in the country.

Methane, one of the powerful greenhouse gases called short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and the main component of natural gas, has 72 times the impact on global warming as carbon dioxide. The new regulation is expected to reduce methane leaks from oil and gas operations in California by the equivalent of 1.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent of taking 280,000 cars off the road for a year. Locating and repairing leaks in oil and gas systems will provide additional benefits in reducing smog-causing chemicals because the same leaks often release air toxins and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene.

“The Trump administration has backed away from efforts to develop a federal rule to curb methane leaks from existing facilities—the nation’s largest source of methane pollution,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “California’s regulations continue our leadership in fighting air pollutants and help meet our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.”

California’s new air regulation requires quarterly monitoring of methane emissions from oil and gas wells, natural gas processing facilities, compressor stations and other equipment used in the processing and delivery of oil and natural gas. Some equipment will also be required to add vapor collection systems.

The new regulation adds to emergency regulations that were put in place by the Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources after the methane leak in the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field. Those regulations require additional monitoring and testing at all underground natural gas storage facilities, making it easier to prevent well leaks.

“This new tool to curb methane emissions complements the rigorous safety and inspection requirements now in place at all gas storage fields in California,” said David Bunn, director of the Department of Conservation. “Not only is California working to prevent another major methane leak like the one at Aliso Canyon, it’s important that we also reduce the cumulative impacts of smaller leaks.”

The regulation provides “valuable tools in California’s continuing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure safe utility infrastructure,” said California Public Utilities Commissioner Cliff Rechstschaffen. “It is another example of the State’s international leadership in addressing climate change and other environmental issues.”

Although the largest source of methane in California is livestock, the oil and gas industry is responsible for about 15 percent of the state’s methane emissions.

Adoption of the oil and gas rule is an important step toward implementing the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, which provides guidance for development and implementation of California’s overall effort to reduce these highly potent climate pollutants. SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) sets the target for statewide methane reductions of 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. The Board adopted that plan earlier today.

California’s new regulation was written with extensive stakeholder input and at least seven public hearings or workshops over several years.

The Oil & Gas Production, Processing, and Storage regulation can be found here.

Information about DOGGR’s regulations can be found here.