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Trump talked to Putin, told Russian leader not to escalate in Ukraine; AZ passes abortion measure, advocates still concerned about a Trump presidency; Environmental advocates sue Montana over public documents; Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity.

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A former Harris aide calls for Biden to resign so Harris can briefly take the presidency. Trump wins Arizona, but so does Democrat Ruben Gallego. And AI experts warn that recent election fraud videos were Russian deep fakes.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

Texas Could Reduce Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Wells in 2023

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Friday, December 9, 2022   

As part of the U.S. energy transition, the Biden administration has made slashing methane emissions a priority, and supplemental federal rules aim to strengthen regulations in Texas and other oil and gas-producing states.

This month, the Environmental Protection Agency said regulations announced in 2021 would be augmented to reduce methane, including from hundreds of thousands of existing oil and gas sources nationwide.

Sheila Serna, climate science and policy director for the Rio Grande International Study Center, said many unnecessary and outdated practices need to end.

"We want flaring to end, because it makes such a significant impact in reducing pollution," she said. "But also, it's beneficial for the operators to capture it, instead of just being wasted and burned."

The latest rule targets drilling sites that are considered to be high-polluting, low-producing wells.

The new rule would require quarterly inspections at all sites throughout the country, as well as semi-annual inspections of wellhead-only sites.

Isaac Brown, executive director of the Center for Methane Emission Solutions, said he thinks that's a big step forward.

"There's a market now for technologies and companies to provide technologies that can help oil and gas companies address their methane emissions," he said, "so that they can comply with the rule."

Serna said she believes Texas is long overdue to step up its enforcement. Even when people report a violation to the state, she said, there's no guarantee it will be addressed.

"They'll say, 'Well, do you live near the facility? If you don't, then you can't technically submit it as a complaint. So, we'll take it as a notification that there's something wrong, and if we have time then we'll go out and investigate and address it.' Most of the time, they won't," she said.

The EPA's rule mandates producers to closely monitor operations, identify methane leaks and do routine checks at well sites.


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