Assignment task:
One issue in the United States related to climate change is oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas is the United States largest industrial source of methane. Methane is known as a "super pollutant" that is 80 times greater than carbon dioxide. According to Ian Tiseo, Methane (CH4) emissions in the United States were equivalent to 793 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2e) in 2021 (Ian Tiseo January 2024 methane emissions). Cutting methane can benefit the climate and slow the rate of warming our atmosphere. On December 2, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a final ruling regulating methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oil and natural gas operations under section 111 of the Clean Air Act. The ruling is requiring states to submit a plan of action within 2 years, and abide by that plan 3 years after submitting it.
One of the regulations is Eliminating or Minimizing Emissions from Equipment, such as Process Pumps. Process pumps are used to move fluid in an industrial process. Pumps must have a VOC and methane emissions rate of zero, except pumps located at sites that do not have access to electricity and have fewer than three diaphragm pumps. For pumps that qualify under the exemption, owners and operators must control emissions by routing emissions to a process if a vapor recovery unit (VRU) is onsite. If a VRU is not onsite, emissions must be reduced by 95%. (Shearman & Sterling LLP January 31, 2024 EPA's Final Rule Rule). Many people question at what cost will emission reduction hold with the increasing demand for energy. According to EPA, the final standards take advantage of advances in clean car technology to unlock $190 billion in net benefits to Americans. The goal is to reduce climate pollution, improve public health, and save money at the pump. More importantly, it ushers in a good launch point for the Agency's next phase of standards for MY 2027 and beyond (Jacob Oliva Dec 20, 2021 New EPA Emission Rules). I feel the ruling is ethical because reducing methane emissions encourages a long term effect and livable future for generations.
Q1. How does your own ethical framework influence your perception of this topic?
Q2. How do individuals' ethical frameworks influence their responsibility to change (or not change) their lifestyle to help address climate change?