Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB246

Introduced
1/10/23  

Caption

Marginal Well Protection Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to exclude certain facilities from reporting and payment requirements related to methane waste emissions. Under the bill, the requirements do not apply to facilities that produce less than 15 barrels of oil per day and less than 90 thousand cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Impact

The overall impact of HB246 could be significant for smaller petroleum and natural gas operations, as it reduces compliance costs and administrative responsibilities for these facilities. By lifting the reporting requirements, it may encourage production and sustainability for businesses that operate at marginal levels. However, this also raises concerns regarding environmental protections and potential increases in methane emissions from non-compliant facilities, which could contradict broader climate change initiatives.

Summary

House Bill 246, known as the Marginal Well Protection Act, amends the Clean Air Act to exempt certain small facilities from regulations concerning methane emissions. Specifically, the bill stipulates that facilities producing less than 15 barrels of oil per day and less than 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day will not be subject to reporting and payment requirements associated with methane waste emissions. This legislative change aims to relieve small oil and gas producers from regulatory burdens that may hinder their operations.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked debate among environmental advocates and industry stakeholders. Proponents argue that the regulations on small producers are disproportionately onerous and that exempting these facilities can stimulate economic growth in the energy sector. Critics, however, contend that reducing regulation could exacerbate methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, thus undermining environmental goals. This dichotomy of interests highlights the ongoing clash between economic development and environmental stewardship in legislative discussions surrounding the energy sector.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB484

Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act This bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.

US HB313

Natural Gas Tax Repeal ActThis bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency that provides support for reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from facilities that contain petroleum and natural gas systems and emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases per year.

US SB143

Natural Gas Tax Repeal ActThis bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency that provides support for reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from facilities that contain petroleum and natural gas systems and emit 25,000 metric tons or more of greenhouse gases per year.

US HB432

Buy Low and Sell High Act This bill revises requirements concerning the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and sets forth provisions to reduce the demand for petroleum fuel and increase fuel supply. For example, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish within the SPR an Economic Petroleum Reserve of up to 350 million barrels of crude oil. DOE must also establish a national network of Strategic Refined Petroleum Product Reserves to store up to 250 million barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel, which may be sold when there is a severe fuel supply interruption within the district in which the reserve is located. In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of barrels of petroleum distillate that may be stored in the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve from two million to four million. It also establishes limits on the sale and exportation of petroleum products from such reserves. Further, the bill establishes provisions concerning electrifying the transportation sector, zero-emission vehicles, and a program to increase the amount of crude oil refined in oil refineries in certain countries in the Western Hemisphere.

US SB5630

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, and for other purposes.

US HB173

Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2023 This bill removes short-barreled rifles (barrels of less than 16 inches in length) from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the transportation of such rifles in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled rifle as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such rifle where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled rifles. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of  certain rifles within one year after the enactment of this bill.

US HB209

Permitting for Mining Needs Act of 2023 This bill expedites the review of mining projects on federal lands and limits judicial review of mining projects. For example, the bill expands the federal permitting and review processes under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for critical minerals. Under the act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, to the maximum extent practicable, must complete the federal permitting and review processes related to critical mineral mines on federal lands with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This bill expands this process to include all minerals as defined by the bill, not only critical minerals. The bill also establishes deadlines for completing the review of mining projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In addition, the bill also expands the meaning of covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to include (1) certain mineral production projects, and (2) certain actions taken by the Department of Defense. Such projects qualify for expedited environmental review. It also establishes requirements to expedite the review or authorization of certain mineral projects, such as (1) mineral exploration activities with a surface disturbance of no more than five acres of public lands, (2) ancillary mining activities, and (3) uranium projects. Finally, the bill limits judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a lead agency for a mining project by requiring the filing of claims within a certain time period.

US HB208

Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2023 This bill revises requirements concerning the sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities. Specifically, the bill revises the list of permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained (1) from a licensed dealer, (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements, (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat or owned it for not less than one year, or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture. The requirements pertaining to sources apply to dogs and cats obtained through sales, donations, or offers. Monetary penalties are established for violations.

US HB151

No Frivolous Application for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act or the NFA SBS Act This bill removes certain short-barreled shotguns from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the sale or transportation of such shotguns in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled shotgun as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such shotguns where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled shotguns. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of shotguns described by this bill within one year after the enactment of this bill.

US HB4072

Methane Emissions Research Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.