President Biden’s Administration Pushes for U.S. and EU Methane Standards Alignment
In a recent letter seen by Reuters, the Biden administration has urged the European Union to ensure that liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments meeting U.S. methane regulations automatically comply with Europe’s standards for imports. This move aims to safeguard the United States’ growing LNG trade with Europe and solidify Biden’s methane rules, even in the face of potential rollbacks by the incoming Trump administration.
The letter, signed by top U.S. officials, emphasizes the importance of discussions to maintain a reliable and stable supply of natural gas from the United States to Europe. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a key component in natural gas and LNG. Both the U.S. and EU have committed to reducing methane emissions to combat climate change.
While the EU has approved methane emissions limits for oil and gas imports from 2030, the exact limits and criteria for considering other countries’ regulations equivalent are still to be determined. The Biden Administration has already implemented stringent rules on methane emissions in the U.S. oil and gas industry, with further measures expected.
Despite potential regulatory rollbacks in the U.S., international suppliers will likely need to adhere to stringent methane standards set by the EU and other entities. Market access may soon depend on proof of low methane emissions, regardless of domestic regulatory changes.
This development highlights the increasing importance of methane regulations in the global energy market and underscores the need for alignment between U.S. and EU standards to ensure environmental protection and energy security.