The rule covers conventional oil and gas sites that have already been built or drilled. Reducing VOC emissions is expected to also lower leaks of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Low-producing wells provide just 6% of oil and gas production in the U.S. But a new study found they emit half of the industry's climate-warming methane.Â
There are nearly 27,000 known abandoned wells in Pennsylvania, but estimates put the total at 200,000. These wells are a source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.