Mann, Arrington, Pfluger Challenge Biden Administration’s Burdensome Methane Emission Rule

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), alongside U.S. Representatives Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and August Pfluger (TX-11), led their colleagues in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to nullify the Biden Administration’s final rule on oil and natural gas methane emissions regulations. The rule, which was finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month, requires energy producers to report methane emissions to EPA using third-party monitoring technology under the newly established Super-Emitter Program.

“Americans are paying for President Biden’s failed energy policies,” said Rep. Mann. “This rule will crush energy producers and consumers alike. Americans don’t need more government overreach in their lives threatening their livelihoods. I will continue to fight against burdensome federal red-tape that compromises our economy, energy independence, and national security. I am proud to cosponsor this joint resolution and look forward to its swift passage.”

“One of the only promises President Biden has followed through on is his campaign vow to ‘end fossil fuels,’” said Rep. Pfluger. “This Methane Rule imposes excessive and costly restrictions on energy producers in regions like the Permian Basin that I represent and others around the Nation. It will drive costs up even higher for all Americans already suffering under record-breaking inflation driven mostly by energy costs. The President should be promoting energy independence to lower costs and strengthen our national security.”

“Since his first day in office, Biden has unleashed a whole-of-government assault on domestic energy production, the lifeblood of our economy and cornerstone of our national security,” said Rep. Arrington. “The overly broad and burdensome Methane Rule is yet another example of President Biden weaponizing the regulatory state to appease climate activists at the expense of the American people. If enacted, this rule will increase energy prices, threaten good-paying jobs in West Texas and throughout the country, and embolden our adversaries like Russia and China by hamstringing American energy production. I am proud to lead the fight to reverse Biden’s Methane Rule and strengthen American energy production, not burden producers with unnecessary and costly regulations.”

Under EPA’s new rule, energy producers, including small producers that may have limited resources, will be forced to invest in costly technology to remain in compliance while increasing monitoring for methane leaks from equipment. The rule also requires oil and gas companies to phase out the routine flaring of natural gas, a process producers rely on to produce oil.

In 2022,Rep. Mann led a bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Regan urging the administrator to withdraw the rule. Rep. Mann has continued to champion energy independence in Congress whilefightingfor lower energy costs for Americans, promoting American energy production, andsupporting America’s full energy potential. As outlined in Rep. Mann’s Commitment to the Big First, Rep. Mann is committed to cutting federal red-tape and burdensome regulations for producers and business owners.

Click hereto view Rep. Mann’s Commitment to the Big First

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