Methane Emissions Reduction Act

Bill: 116-hr-7435
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6]
Introduced: 2020-06-30
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Air quality

Climate change and greenhouse gases

Congressional oversight

Energy efficiency and conservation

Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Environmental technology

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Oil and gas

Public utilities and utility rates

State and local government operations

Technology transfer and commercialization
Latest action: action_date: 2020-06-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-06-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Methane Emissions Reduction Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Energy to carry out a program to reduce methane emissions from flaring and venting natural gas during oil and natural gas production activities.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7435 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 30, 2020 Mr. Upton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To reduce methane emissions from flaring and venting natural gas during oil and natural gas production activities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Methane Emissions Reduction Act . 2. Methane emissions (a) In general The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a comprehensive program to reduce methane emissions from flaring and venting natural gas during oil and natural gas production activities, recognizing that States are the primary regulators of oil and natural gas production activities and emissions, including by— (1) providing technical assistance to State and public utility commissioners and officials, representatives from the energy industry, and other stakeholders from State, local, and Tribal organizations; (2) accelerating the development and application of technologies and practices to reduce flaring and venting of natural gas; (3) maintaining a database that summarizes the relevant flaring and venting regulations in each of the oil and gas producing States; and (4) informing the States and other stakeholders of potential options available to economically capture and utilize natural gas. (b) Report Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce a report describing— (1) Federal, State, and local policies and regulations relating to natural gas flaring and venting; (2) initiatives to accelerate technology solutions to reduce natural gas flaring and venting; (3) barriers to the development and commercial application of technologies to capture natural gas that would otherwise be flared or vented; and (4) recommendations to reduce barriers described in paragraph (3). (c) Technical conference In preparing the report under subsection (b), the Secretary of Energy shall solicit input from States and local governments and representatives of the energy industry, including by convening a technical conference and providing an opportunity for submission of written comments on a draft report.