Ryan Zinke supports eliminating rules that reduce methane waste
The U.S. Congress is engaged in an unprecedented attack on common sense rules that ensure oil, gas, and coal development proceeds safely and responsibly. But don’t expect the soon-to-be Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to act as a check on Congress’ belligerence. On the contrary, Secretary-designee Zinke’s political career has been bankrolled by the very companies advocating for fewer safeguards on their development activities.
Take the decision by the House of Representatives to eliminate rules designed to limit natural gas waste from drilling on public lands. Set by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), these standards seek to limit venting and flaring of natural gas, while ensuring that gas owned by American taxpayers doesn’t just go up in smoke.