Voluntary Measures: An Inadequate Solution to a Pressing Problem

The Clean Air Task Force criticizes the EPA's reliance on voluntary programs to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas infrastructure, arguing that such measures lack the enforceability and participation rates necessary to achieve significant climate goals compared to mandatory regulations under the Clean Air Act.

• The Clean Air Task Force contends that voluntary industry programs cannot replace the need for future regulations, specifically noting that the EPA has a statutory duty under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to issue legally enforceable guidelines for states to reduce methane emissions from existing sources.
• Existing sources of pollution are the primary drivers of methane emissions in the sector; an analysis by ICF International indicates that nearly 90 percent of the sector's 2018 methane emissions will originate from sources that were already operating in 2011.
• The document highlights a failure to adopt cost-effective technology voluntarily, noting that over 30,000 outdated high-emitting pneumatic controllers remain in use despite the fact that replacing them is feasible and pays for itself within a few years.

APA

Schroeder, D. (2015). Voluntary Measures: An Inadequate Solution to a Pressing Problem. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2015/07/voluntary-measures-an-inadequate-solution-to-a-pressing-problem/

Chicago

Schroeder, Darin. Voluntary Measures: An Inadequate Solution to a Pressing Problem. Clean Air Task Force, 2015. https://www.catf.us/2015/07/voluntary-measures-an-inadequate-solution-to-a-pressing-problem/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Schroeder |first1=Darin |title=Voluntary Measures: An Inadequate Solution to a Pressing Problem |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=23 July 2015 |url=https://www.catf.us/2015/07/voluntary-measures-an-inadequate-solution-to-a-pressing-problem/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{schroeder2015voluntary, author = {Schroeder, Darin}, title = {{Voluntary Measures: An Inadequate Solution to a Pressing Problem}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2015}, month = jul, url = {https://www.catf.us/2015/07/voluntary-measures-an-inadequate-solution-to-a-pressing-problem/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }