Source: Save EPA Alums
Description:
The Trump Administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing rolling back a critical rule that limits waste of federal natural gas resources, avoids the loss of royalty payments to governments, and reduces a significant source of air and climate pollution.
Background:
The BLM is proposing to delay implementation of almost every substantive provision of the Waste Prevention Rule for 18 months, until January 17, 2019. During this period, the Trump Administration will consider how it will modify or pull back the rule. The rationale for the current proposal is to avoid imposing compliance costs on operators for requirements “that may be rescinded or significantly revised” by the Trump Administration.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the rule in November 2016 to reduce waste of natural gas from flaring, venting and leaks from oil and gas production on public and tribal lands. The requirements are designed to limit waste of federal natural gas resources and avoid loss of royalty payments to federal, state and tribal governments for the sale of their resources. The rule has the additional benefit of reducing air pollutant emissions that drive smog and climate change. The rule replaces old and ineffective regulations that had not been updated in 35 years.
Contact Information:
To comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal go to:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/10/05/2017-21294/waste-prevention-production-subject-to-royalties-and-resource-conservation-delay-and-suspension-of#open-comment.
Alternatively, you can go to https://www.regulations.gov and in the search box, enter “RIN 1004-AE54” and click the “Search” button. When the docket comes up, click on the “comment now” button.
Suggested Script:
(For more detailed talking points, click here or go to: http://saveepaalums.info/resisting-the-trump-de-regulatory-agenda-talking-points/suspension-of-the-bureau-of-land-managements-methane-and-waste-prevention-rule/ )
First, explain why you’re commenting on this notice – why the preventing waste methane emissions matter to you.
If you have relevant expertise, say so. You don’t have to be an expert to make a valid and valuable comment, but if you do have expertise, share your knowledge.
If you have information relevant to the rule (for example, news articles or anecdotal information about how climate change is affecting or is expected to affect your community, or how you have been affected by oil and gas development on federal or tribal land) include that information and highlight it.
Be constructive and civil. Don’t write a lot if less will do.
Additional Information:
