API files lawsuit against EPA’s final oil and gas sector rule

Several industry groups and a coalition of 14 states have filed to sue the EPA

EPA administrator Gina McCarthy.

WASHINGTON – American Petroleum Institute filed a lawsuit Tuesday with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s final oil and natural gas sector rule calling for lower methane emissions, according to an API press release.

“The industry continues to lead the way on emissions reductions because it is good for the environment and good for business,” said API General Council John Wagner.

Specifically, API is challenging the EPA’s failure to adhere to the specific limitations provided by the Clean Air Act on the way the agency can develop regulations.

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“Even as oil and natural gas production has risen dramatically, carbon emissions have fallen, thanks to industry leadership and investment in new technologies. Greater use of clean, affordable natural gas has pushed carbon emissions from power generation to their lowest level in more than 20 years,” said Wagner.

In addition to API, several industry groups and a coalition of 14 states have filed to sue the EPA, calling on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to assess the EPA’s rule on the grounds that the agency has exceeded its statutory authority.

“Consumers and businesses are seeing significant savings through lower energy costs largely driven by the revolution in U.S. shale energy production,” said Wagner.

“The implementation of duplicative and costly regulations could discourage natural gas production, disrupt our progress reducing emissions, and increase the cost of energy for American consumers.”