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One million acres of forest protected under The Conservation Fund, including in OR; Trump seeks to set aside his New York hush money guilty verdict after Supreme Court immunity ruling; 'Share the Pennies' weatherization program tackles climate solutions, reduces cost; Utah feels the impact of California's ban on gestation crates.

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SCOTUS gives former President Trump a huge win in terms of immunity, which might apply to charges of election interference. A new poll finds future court appointments are crucial for voters, and President Biden continues to face post-debate calls to leave the race.

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Ugly, imperfect produce destined for the landfill is being upcycled by a California candy company, a Texas volunteer uses his Navy training to map the gaps in broadband, and Pennsylvania has a new commission tasked with reversing its shrinking rural population.

Governor at odds with methane rule built on WY air pollution protections

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Monday, December 18, 2023   

Gov. Mark Gordon has blasted the Biden administration's final methane rule, claiming it will lead to higher fuel prices and put additional burdens on Wyoming oil and gas producers.

John Burrows, director of energy and climate policy for the Wyoming Outdoor Council, said the public health benefits of the rule are significant.

The move to reduce toxic air pollution produced at oil and gas facilities will be equivalent to taking 28 million gas-powered cars off the road.

"So we're talking about volatile organic compounds that create really nasty chemicals for people to inhale," said Burrows. "And unfortunately those do have health impacts, especially for those most vulnerable populations. And this rule is going to clean a lot of that up."

The new Environmental Protection Agency rule, which calls on operators to find and plug leaks and limit flaring, builds on successful protections Wyoming pioneered in its efforts to improve air quality in the Upper Green River Basin.

Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is over 80 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

States have two years to submit their emission plans to the EPA.

Katherine Stahl, a community organizer with the Powder River Basin Resource Council, conceded that any new regulation brings some costs.

But she noted that Gov. Gordon rejected federal funds meant to reimburse operators who find and plug leaks.

If methane is kept in pipelines and holding tanks, she said more gas can be brought to market.

"More gas going to market reduces the cost that consumers will pay, because supply will be higher," said Stahl. "And it increases revenue for operators that otherwise would be just burning what is a valuable resource."

Burrows said he believes that reducing methane waste will help Wyoming taxpayers get more value for developing their non-renewable resources -- and bring additional revenues needed to fund schools, roads and other essential operations.

"Across U.S. public and tribal lands there's over $500 million of wasted gas," said Burrows. "And in Wyoming we're talking somewhere between $9 and $16 million in lost revenues specifically to Wyoming taxpayers."




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