Canada’s oilpatch fears U.S. rejection of methane limit will hurt competitiveness
CALGARY — A vote Friday by the U.S. House of Representatives to axe new limits on methane emissions from drilling threatens to harm the competitiveness of Canada’s energy industry, says the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
The move to eliminate an initiative from former U.S. president Barack Obama means the Canadian oilpatch will be on its own when it comes to taking on additional costs from reducing methane, said Alex Ferguson, vice-president of policy for CAPP.
Last March, Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jointly announced plans to reduce methane emissions. They later joined forces with Mexico on a broader North American climate and clean energy strategy.
Methane is a greenhouse gas considered about 25 times more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. To become law, the House bill must be endorsed by the U.S. Senate and President Donald Trump.