The Interior Department’s proposed rule to clamp down on the venting and flaring of natural gas from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands will cut harmful methane emissions and reduce the waste of our natural resources.

Jim Murphy, senior counsel for the National Wildlife Federation, said:

“Today’s proposed rule is a commonsense measure that will protect our public lands and wildlife from wasteful development while also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, which are 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It is a no-brainer solution that promotes smarter practices to conserve a public resource and will more than pay for itself. We look forward to working to ensure a strong final rule that will be a win for wildlife and our public lands.

Kate Zimmerman, the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands policy director, said:

“The current regulations on venting and flaring are more than 30 years old, meanwhile drilling technology, particularly fracking, has changed dramatically. Federal regulations governing the use of public lands and resources should reflect those changes. The public is entitled to know that its resources, including the lands and wildlife affected by drilling operations, are not squandered.