The Legal Framework for Federal Methane Regulation (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Sept. 5, 2023 |
| Report Number |
IF12217 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Benjamin M. Barczewski |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Methane is a greenhouse gas with 25 times the warming
capacity of carbon dioxide. Methane makes up about 11%
of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
Primary sources of methane include oil and gas production,
transportation and storage (methane is the main component
of natural gas), landfill gases, coal mines, and agricultural
practices. Methane emissions are primarily regulated under
the Clean Air Act (CAA) but may also be regulated
pursuant to other statutory authorities.
This In Focus summarizes existing federal authority to
regulate methane emitted from all sources except
agricultural sources. Methane emitted by agricultural
sources is addressed primarily through voluntary programs
and is thus outside the scope of this In Focus.
