- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
- Cyclone Chido death toll rises to 94 in Mozambique
- Stokes out of England's Champions Trophy squad
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 28
- Sweet smell of success for niche perfumes
- 'Finally, we made it!': Ho Chi Minh City celebrates first metro
US finalizes waste methane fine on drillers, but future uncertain
US President Joe Biden's outgoing government announced on Tuesday a rule to impose fees on the oil and gas industry for waste methane emissions from drilling operations, despite doubts it will take effect under his successor Donald Trump.
The Environmental Protection Agency's announcement coincides with the COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan, where the United States' position has been weakened by the election victory of Trump, a climate change denier who has promised to withdraw from the landmark Paris Agreement once more.
"Super pollutant" methane is a potent greenhouse gas, trapping around 28 times as much heat as the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide over a hundred-year period.
Biden's administration made curbing methane a key priority both through domestic actions and international diplomacy, launching the Global Methane Pledge along with the EU in 2021 and engaging bilaterally with China on reduction efforts.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan hailed the rule, saying it would "improve efficiency in the oil and gas sector, support American jobs, protect clean air, and reinforce US leadership on the global stage."
It will not, however, take effect until it is published in the Federal Register -- a process that could take weeks.
Trump will be inaugurated as president in January and his EPA chief, whom he has named as former congressman Lee Zeldin, could review or rescind the measure.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) responded swiftly.
"This rule hampers our ability to meet the growing energy needs of American families and businesses and fails to advance meaningful emissions reduction," said API's Dustin Meyers, adding "we look forward to working with the incoming administration and new Congress to get this right."
Under the rule, certain high-emitting oil and gas drillers would be liable for penalties starting at $900 for every metric ton of wasteful methane emissions.
These charges would increase year-on-year until 2026, as mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden's signature climate law that was narrowly passed in 2022 by a Congress controlled by his party. Trump has vowed to dismantle the law.
With Republicans likely to control Congress, repeal of the law is a possibility, though analysts predict weakening it is more likely.
Methane emissions from oil and gas drilling occur through various means, including unintentional equipment leaks, deliberate venting to relieve pressure, and flaring.
Flaring is intended to convert excess methane to carbon dioxide, but the process is often incomplete, resulting in further methane release.
L.Mason--AMWN