B.C. methane emission reduction: right track, but too slow

səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories (VANCOUVER, B.C.)  – British Columbia’s new methane regulations for oil and gas sector, released earlier this week, makes some progress on limiting a key climate pollutant, but has a very long timeline for implementation.

“The new regulations – including the eventual phase-out of outdated pumps and equipment, new limits on venting and flaring, and better leak detection – are important steps forward that environmental groups, including Stand have been calling for,” said Sven Biggs, Canadian Oil and Gas Program Director for Stand.earth. “However some of these measures won’t come fully into effect until 2035. We can’t wait a decade for action on what should be some of the easiest emissions to combat.”

Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to bring down the emissions intensity of some of the heaviest polluters in the province. Currently oil and gas production is responsible for 20% of B.C.’s climate pollution or roughly the same as all other industries in the province combined. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas, 86 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeline, and is the primary component of fracked gas. 

“It is great to see the Provincial Government adopting stronger oil and gas methane regulations  but when the same government turns around and approves new projects that will lead to a massive expansion in the number of fracking wells in B.C. they dash any progress towards reducing the overall climate impact of these highly polluting corporations” said Biggs. “To stop climate change we must put the brakes on oil and gas expansion, and here in B.C. that means setting a date to phase out fracking.”          

The new regulations are happening in the context of continued expansion of fracked gas projects in British Columbia. In March the B.C. Government issued permits for the Cedar LNG terminal in Kitimat, which was followed closely by the approval of the jetty for Tilbury LNG project in Delta. More recently the construction of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, which would supply the Ksi Lisims LNG terminal, has faced Indiginus lead blockades and protests.

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Contact

Sven Biggs, Canadian Oil and Gas Programs Director – Stand.earth +1 778-882-8354, sven@stand.earth (Pacific Time)

Arin de Hoog, Communications, Oil, Gas and Shipping – Stand.earth. +1 613-978-7329, arin.dehoog@stand.earth (Eastern Time)