Canada delays methane-emission regulation

April 24, 2017
The Canadian government is delaying by 3 years the start of a crackdown on methane emissions by the oil and gas industry.

The Canadian government is delaying by 3 years the start of a crackdown on methane emissions by the oil and gas industry.

In March 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to match cuts of 40-45% during 2012-25 announced a year earlier by the administration of former US President Barack Obama.

The new US administration of Donald Trump has eliminated requirements imposed by its predecessor for reporting of methane emissions and delayed compliance of an emissions rule pending reconsideration (OGJ Online, Apr. 19, 2017).

According to press reports, Natural Resources Minister James Carr acknowledged Canada’s delay reflects concern about competitiveness of the Canadian oil and gas industry in the wake of the US changes.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said that the emission targets remain unchanged but that regulation won’t begin taking effect until 2020.