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.
Impact
If enacted, HB 484 would directly affect federal environmental policies, particularly those aimed at controlling methane emissions, which are considered a major contributor to climate change. The repeal of the methane emissions incentive program could potentially encourage increased emissions from natural gas facilities, as operators may no longer feel compelled to implement measures aimed at reducing their environmental impact. Proponents of the bill may argue that it alleviates burdensome regulations on the natural gas industry, thereby promoting energy independence and economic growth.
Summary
House Bill 484, titled the 'Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act', aims to eliminate a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that incentivizes petroleum and natural gas systems to lower their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. This bill repeals a specific charge related to methane emissions imposed on facilities required to report their greenhouse gas emissions under the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program. The proposed legislation is significant as it seeks to roll back existing regulatory measures designed to mitigate the environmental impact of greenhouse gases from natural gas production.
Contention
The discussions around HB 484 are likely to highlight a clash between economic interests and environmental concerns. Supporters of the bill often come from the energy sector, advocating for fewer regulations to foster growth and competition. In contrast, environmental groups and some lawmakers may strongly oppose the repeal, viewing it as a setback for efforts to combat climate change and protect public health. The contentious nature of this bill reflects the ongoing national debate regarding how best to balance economic development with environmental stewardship.
Related bill
Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.
US SB947
Related bill
Lower Energy Costs Act Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act
US HB2811
Related bill
Water Quality Certification and Energy Project Improvement Act of 2023 TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023
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.
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.
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule titled Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions and published on November 18, 2024. The rule outlines compliance requirements under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Under the program, the EPA collects an annual charge on emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases from entities in the oil and gas sector if their emissions exceed specified waste emissions thresholds.
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule titled Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions and published on November 18, 2024. The rule outlines compliance requirements under the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Under the program, the EPA collects an annual charge on emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases from the oil and gas sector if the emissions exceed specified waste emissions thresholds.
Focus on the Mission Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from requiring the recipient of a federal contract to provide a greenhouse gas inventory or to provide any other report on greenhouse gas emissions.
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.