Oil and natural gas companies for the first time would have to pay a fee for methane emissions that exceed certain levels under a rule proposed Friday by the Biden administration.

The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule follows through on a directive from Congress included in the 2022 climate law. The new fee is intended to encourage industry to adopt best practices that reduce emissions of methane and thereby avoid paying.

Methane is a climate “super pollutant” that is more potent in the short term than carbon dioxide and is responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. The oil and natural gas sector is the largest industrial source of methane emissions in the United States, and advocates say reduction of methane emissions is an important way to slow climate change.

Excess methane produced this year would result in a fee of $900 per ton, with fees rising to $1,500 per ton by 2026.

    • jeffw@lemmy.worldM
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      9 months ago

      One major caveat… much of “plant agriculture” is to feed animals. So I think if you count that stuff under meat, it wins

      • girlfreddy
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        9 months ago

        Animal feed is not listed as a part of plant agriculture on Wikipedia.

        If you have another source I’d be interested in seeing it.