How ONE Future is Working with the EPA
August 30, 2018: How ONE Future is Working with the EPA
Colorado is one of the many states in the U.S. considering how to deal with methane emissions. One of the approaches they are considering is using a voluntary method, similar to ONE Future’s program. As states begin to look at dealing with methane emissions voluntary programs should be considered because I believe the voluntary, performance-based approach is superior to any command and control type of program. When companies can take the most cost efficient and effective path to reducing methane emissions, I am confident state’s success will be much greater than a one-size fits all approach.
Yesterday I made a presentation to the Colorado Oil and Gas Association State Hydrocarbon Energy Reduction work group to describe how ONE Future worked with EPA to develop a successful voluntary program that include transparency and accountability. ONE Future’s goal of 1% methane intensity by 2025 provides member companies a definitive accountable target. Reporting our progress each year will create transparency and accountability; we know that will lead to credibility.
As an example of our accountability, the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) issued a study that encompassed ONE Future member company’s data plugged into the NETL Life Cycle Analysis model. The results showed that the ONE Future protocol achieved a 0.67% methane intensity. While this is a great result and shows that we are on the right track, we still must execute the program to achieve the goal not only of reducing emissions but achieving credibility.
As more states begin to look at how they will deal with methane emissions, I hope they will look at the ONE Future voluntary, performance-based model as an example of what a successful approach is for their state and their citizens.
Until next time,
Richard Hyde, Executive Director
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