U.S. lawmakers urge European Commission to keep methane rules

Five U.S. lawmakers sent a letter dated 1 July urging the European Commission to maintain methane emissions rules for energy suppliers. The letter states that any delay or weakening of the rules would send a damaging signal to investors who have already funded emissions monitoring technologies.

Background on the rules EU member states adopted the methane rules in May 2024.

The framework requires measurement, reporting and verification of methane emissions from the energy sector. Methane has a global warming potential more than 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, according to the source.

Pressure and responses The European Commission is expected to recommend suspending penalties for non-compliance for three years. Eleven EU countries have called for a pause amid energy security concerns. A group of 28 climate organisations contested the data used by countries seeking to scrap the rules, stating that cost and energy security concerns are overstated.

The U.S. lawmakers cited data from Rystad Energy showing no credible link between the EU rules and recent oil or gas price increases. They described the rules as a waste prevention measure that could unlock 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

The letter concludes by encouraging the Commission to stay the course and preserve the integrity of the rules.