Canada Offers Energy Firms More Leeway in Cutting Methane
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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government published final rules on methane reduction that give the oil and gas sector more flexibility in how to comply.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government published final rules on methane reduction that give the oil and gas sector more flexibility in how to comply.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.The methane regulations were developed under Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, with the aim of eliminating venting and routine flaring, which can release large amounts of the planet-warming gas into the atmosphere. When they were announced in 2023, they prompted a backlash from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, whose province is home to most of Canada’s oil production.Government officials who briefed the media on background said the final methane regulations still have ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions, and are projected to reduce them by 304 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2028 to 2040.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.But unlike Trudeau’s original plan, they also allow some oil and gas producers the option to design their own methane reduction approaches on the condition that they meet certain standards.“Companies have two choices,” Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said. “They can follow a clear set of actions to stop intentional venting of emissions and fix leaks, or they can choose a performance-based pathway that uses continuous monitoring and allows them to design their own solutions.”Carney, who succeeded Trudeau in March, has sought to improve relations with Alberta and recently signed a sweeping energy pact that rolls back some environmental policies — a move that caused Steven Guilbeault, the former environment minister, to resign from cabinet in protest.(Updates with comments from environment minister in fifth paragraph. An earlier version corrected the end year in the third paragraph.)Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2025 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.