WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 10, 2016) – The Obama administration today announced plans to limit methane emissions from existing industrial oil and gas facilities. The following is a statement from Kim Glas, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance:

“We laud the administration’s continuing efforts to reduce methane pollution and natural gas leaks. Pound for pound, methane is at least 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a climate change pollutant. Existing sources in the oil and gas industry are expected to account for up to 90 percent of methane emissions by 2018, and covering these activities is a tremendous opportunity to prompt the energy sector to invest in efficiency, reduce leaks, fight climate change, create and sustain quality jobs, and improve safety.

“Keeping natural gas in the system is good for the environment and a significant opportunity to put American workers squarely at the forefront of developing, manufacturing, and implementing technologies needed to accomplish this—providing high-quality jobs and stimulating local economies. We look forward to helping the administration to achieve their goal of reducing methane pollution by up to 45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025.”