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National Grid Opposes EPA Methane Emissions Regulation Rollback

Aug 30, 2019

Urges Administration to Take Bold Action to Combat Climate Change


August 30, 2019CONTACT: Media Relations – 781-907-3980

Waltham, MA - Following the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the agency will begin rolling back regulations on methane emissions, National Grid US President Dean Seavers issued the following statement:

“Climate change is real and presents a danger to our customers, communities, and country. The tangible effects climate change has on our society can be seen every single day – from record-breaking extreme weather to discernible changes in our environment. Methane is a major contributor to our collective greenhouse gases and we remain committed to meaningfully reducing its emissions. National Grid has pledged to reduce methane emissions in our service territories by 60 percent by 2035.

National Grid opposes the proposed changes to methane emission regulations and urges the EPA to reconsider this approach. Ensuring the appropriate and sustainable delivery of natural gas with fewer emissions is not only cost-effective, but the right thing for industry to do.  As we reach the tipping point for climate change mitigation, it is time for bold action, not backtracking.”

Background:

  • Reducing methane emissions is an integral part of National Grid’s climate change strategy, as outlined in the Company’s industry leading Northeast 80x50 Pathway.
  • National Grid has committed to lower methane emissions in our energy supply chain by:

    • Replacing leak prone pipe (LPP)

      • National Grid has replaced over 2,000 miles of LPP since 2014.

    • Partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund to assess integrating the latest advanced leak detection technologies to prioritize fixing the largest non-hazardous leaks.

      • National Grid is also integrating this technology into our existing algorithms to prioritize LPP replacement.

  • We are a founding member of EPA’s Methane Challenge program.

    • The Company participates in both facets of the program: Best Management Practices (BMP) and ONE Future.

      • ONE Future is an industry commitment to get to a 1 percent leak rate from well head to burner tip (across the entire value chain).

  • The Company is also a member of the Natural Gas Supply Collaborative, an effort that has identified environmental and social performance indicators for natural gas production. We are encouraging the partnering producers to start reporting these metrics.

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