Energy & Environment — Court blocks federal methane rule in five states

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  Judge halts Biden's methane rule in five states A federal judge has blocked in several states implementation of a rule that aims to cut methane emissions and conserve natural gas produced on federal lands. © Adobe Stock U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor, a Trump appointee, granted the request from five states — North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Wyoming and Utah — to temporarily block the rule from taking effect while their case against it plays out.    The rule in question requires companies that drill for oil and gas on public lands to come up with a plan to reduce wasted gas and cut down on the release or burning of excess gas.    It also makes companies implement programs to repair and detect methane leaks.    Oil and gas can be co-occurring, and sometimes oil companies will release or burn off some of the gas — which tends to be less valuable than oil — that they produce.    The main component of gas is methane, which is between 27 and 30 times potent as carbon dioxide when it comes to heating up the planet over a 100-year period.   In their request for the rule to be blocked, the GOP-led states argued that the rule is an overreach, contending that regulating emissions and energy issues that should be left to the states.    In his ruling, Traynor sided with them, calling the rule a "significant impingement" on their rights.    Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Nuclear radiation compensation advocates call on western Republicans to ask Johnson for vote Advocates for an expired radiation compensation bill pressed a group of western Republican House members, many of them facing tough reelections, to support a reauthorized, expanded version of the bill in a letter Thursday.  Full Story Trump threatens to cut off California wildfire aid if Newsom doesn't change water policy Former President Trump threatened to withhold federal aid to battle California wildfires, should he be reelected, if Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) does not change a policy that protects an endangered species of fish.  Full Story Rosario Dawson, Bill Nye among those teaming up for climate initiative Rosario Dawson, Bill Nye, Jack Schlossberg and Sophia Bush are among the bold-faced names the group Climate Power is partnering with to get voters to back Vice President Harris for her positions on energy and the environment.  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Keurig coffee pod maker charged with making inaccurate recyclability claims The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on charged Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., which makes single-use coffee pods, with making inaccurate claims about the recyclability of its products. Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Montana mine plans to layoff 700 workers (The Daily Montanan)   These small Black-owned farms are growing crops with the climate in mind (NPR) Microsoft's hypocrisy on AI (The Atlantic)  On Our Radar  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching:  Next week The House is expected to vote on a resolution pushing back on a Biden rule that's expected to push the market toward electric vehicles, according to a person familiar with the matter.   Wednesday The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands will hold a legislative hearing on six bills.   Thursday The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to examine fusion energy technology development and commercialization efforts. The House Energy & Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials will hold a hearing titled "Holding the Biden-Harris EPA Accountable for Radical Rush-to-Green Spending" The House Budget Committee will hold a hearing titled "The Cost of the Biden-Harris Energy Crisis" What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: 2 Springfield schools evacuated, another closed for the day The Springfield City School District in Ohio closed one middle school and evacuated two elementary schools Friday as the city grapples with the fallout of unfounded conspiracy theories about immigrants that have been amplified by former President Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R).  Read more 'Hundreds of millions' could get piece of Oracle privacy settlement: Here's how to file a claim Oracle has agreed to pay out $115 million to settle claims it tracked people’s online and offline activity, then violated privacy by selling the information to third parties. Read more   You're all caught up. See you Monday!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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