Activists Urge EPA To Reject Data Challenge Over Drilling GHG Estimates

摘要

Activists are urging EPA to reject an industry-filed Data Quality Act (DQA) petition challenging the agency's method for estimating greenhouse gases (GHG), including methane from natural gas drilling - underpinning pending EPA rules for the sector - by warning that EPA could violate the data quality guidelines if it changes the estimates. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently filed the petition charging that EPA's estimates are flawed and violate DQA guidelines. The group asked EPA to issue corrections to its 2010 technical support document, "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry," which they say overestimates emissions. Higher estimated emissions could lead the agency to craft stricter air pollution rules for the drilling industry.