WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s release of an action plan to reduce methane emissions across the United States. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming power more than eighty times greater than carbon dioxide. Last year, Murphy introduced the Super Pollutants Act of 2014, a bipartisan climate bill which aims to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane.


“It’s clear that you can’t solve the climate puzzle without addressing our growing emissions of methane and that’s why I’m proudly supporting this vital part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan. This action plan is about more than just the United States, however – we help set the best practices and technical standards around the world for oil and gas drilling, landfills, and other methane sources. By taking this action, we’ve sent a clear message to nations around the world that reducing methane makes sense for bottom lines and the environment alike.”


“In the coming Congress, I look forward to building support for my bipartisan Super Pollutants Act to help address methane emissions and other short-lived climate pollutants. I’m hopeful that the Administration will also follow through on its pledge to address existing oil and gas wells through future rulemakings.”