skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Texas Could Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Wells in 2023

play audio
Play

Friday, December 9, 2022   

As part of the U.S. energy transition, the Biden administration has made slashing methane emissions a priority, and supplemental federal rules aim to strengthen regulations in Texas and other oil and gas-producing states.

This month, the Environmental Protection Agency said regulations announced in 2021 would be augmented to reduce methane, including from hundreds of thousands of existing oil and gas sources nationwide.

Sheila Serna, climate science and policy director for the Rio Grande International Study Center, said many unnecessary and outdated practices need to end.

"We want flaring to end, because it makes such a significant impact in reducing pollution," she said. "But also, it's beneficial for the operators to capture it, instead of just being wasted and burned."

The latest rule targets drilling sites that are considered to be high-polluting, low-producing wells.

The new rule would require quarterly inspections at all sites throughout the country, as well as semi-annual inspections of wellhead-only sites.

Isaac Brown, executive director of the Center for Methane Emission Solutions, said he thinks that's a big step forward.

"There's a market now for technologies and companies to provide technologies that can help oil and gas companies address their methane emissions," he said, "so that they can comply with the rule."

Serna said she believes Texas is long overdue to step up its enforcement. Even when people report a violation to the state, she said, there's no guarantee it will be addressed.

"They'll say, 'Well, do you live near the facility? If you don't, then you can't technically submit it as a complaint. So, we'll take it as a notification that there's something wrong, and if we have time then we'll go out and investigate and address it.' Most of the time, they won't," she said.

The EPA's rule mandates producers to closely monitor operations, identify methane leaks and do routine checks at well sites.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021