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Dravis, Samantha[dravis.samantha@epa.gov] POLITICO Pro Energy Whiteboard Mon 5/8/2017 10:34:20 PM Portman to back resolution overturning BLM methane rule
By Nick Juliano
05/08/2017 06:24 PM EDT
Sen. Rob Portman says he will vote to block a BLM rule limiting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling after receiving assurances from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that he will address the issue.
Portman was among the most-watched Republicans who had remained undecided on the Congressional Review Act resolution. Republicans must vote on the resolution this week if they are to avoid a Democratic filibuster. Sens. John Hoeven and Jim Inhofe, key backers of the resolution, said a vote is set for Wednesday.
"I believe that the Interior Department should do more to prevent methane venting and flaring on federal lands. The Secretary of the Interior has made clear in a letter to me that the Department is committed to acting on this important issue going forward, and he has outlined specific actions it would take to do that," Portman said in a statement today.
Portman wrote to Zinke last week asking what the department could do to address wasted methane from oil and gas operations. Zinke responded a few days later and committed to review venting and flaring requirements, among other steps.
While Portman's support gets Republicans closer to the 50 votes they need to overturn the methane rule, a few com-state senators said they are still hoping to secure concessions that would make it easier to sell 15 percent ethanol blends before they agree to support the methane resolution. "Nothing more has happened" on that front, Sen. Chuck Grassley said today.
Anthony Adragna contributed to this report.
To view online'. https://www.politicopro.eom/energy/whiteboard/2017/05/portman-to-back-resolutionoverturmng-blm-methane-rule-087423
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