**Follow the Money: Unpacking SJRES 12's Fossil Fuel Favoritism**
SJRES 12, a joint resolution introduced by Senator Hoeven (R-ND) and cosponsored by 24 other senators, aims to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule regulating waste emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems. This bill is a textbook example of industry capture, with the fossil fuel sector pulling the strings.
**New Regulations Being Created or Modified:**
The EPA rule in question establishes procedures for facilitating compliance with waste emissions charges, including netting and exemptions. The rule aims to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations, which contribute significantly to climate change.
**Affected Industries and Sectors:**
The petroleum and natural gas industries are the primary beneficiaries of this bill. By disapproving the EPA rule, these industries can avoid implementing costly emission reduction measures, saving them millions in compliance costs.
**Compliance Requirements and Timelines:**
If the EPA rule is allowed to stand, affected facilities would need to implement new procedures for measuring and reporting waste emissions by 2026. SJRES 12's disapproval would effectively eliminate these requirements, allowing the industry to maintain business-as-usual practices.
**Enforcement Mechanisms and Penalties:**
The EPA rule includes provisions for enforcement and penalties for non-compliance. By disapproving the rule, this bill would strip away the agency's ability to hold polluters accountable.
**Economic and Operational Impacts:**
Disapproving the EPA rule would have significant economic benefits for the fossil fuel industry, as they would avoid costly compliance measures. However, it would also come at a cost to public health and the environment, as methane emissions contribute to climate change and air pollution.
**Monied Interest Analysis:**
* The American Petroleum Institute (API) has been a vocal opponent of the EPA rule, and its members have contributed heavily to the campaigns of SJRES 12's sponsors.
* Senator Hoeven, the bill's primary sponsor, has received over $1.5 million in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry since 2017.
* The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) has also weighed in against the EPA rule, citing concerns about compliance costs.
**Committee Capture:**
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which discharged this bill by petition, has a history of being influenced by fossil fuel interests. Several committee members have received significant campaign contributions from the industry.
In conclusion, SJRES 12 is a brazen attempt to prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry over public health and environmental protection. By disapproving the EPA rule, this bill would allow polluters to continue emitting methane with impunity, while saving them millions in compliance costs.