Bid to revoke Obama-era methane rules fails in U.S. Senate

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

In a blow to administration efforts to free the oil and gas industry from Obama-era environmental rules, a Senate resolution to revoke a rule to limit leaks and flaring of methane from oil and gas production on federal lands fell short of votes 49-51 on Wednesday.

The surprise vote outcome came after Republican leaders scrambled for weeks to secure the 51 votes necessary to pass the Congressional Review Act resolution, which would revoke the rule and prevent any similar regulations from being introduced.

Getting the Trump administration to repeal the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management methane rule had been a top priority of the oil and gas industry, but not all Republicans supported the measure because it would make it difficult to regulate methane waste in the future.

Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona made a surprise vote against the resolution, joining fellow Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Susan Collins of Maine in opposition.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-idUSKBN18620F

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ENVIRONMENT | Wed May 10, 2017 | 10:56am EDT
By Valerie Volcovici | WASHINGTON

[tenorly]

1. Oh, well.

If Republicans like methane so much, they can always give Bitchy Mitchy a good squeeze.

[iluvtennis]

3. LOL :)

[iluvtennis]

2. 3 rethugs do the right thing...bout time

[Towlie]

4. Policies so evil and destructive that even Republicans reject them...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Good. Methane 30 times more greenhouse effect than CO2. . . . nt

[burrowowl]

6. YAY!

[Cha]

7. Wow! Surprising they all did not follow trump line

[Judi Lynn]

8. It's a shock! What are the chances? n/t

[demmiblue]

9. K&R

[Maxheader]

10. You just never know.

See some state reps having to cover their ass during "townhall"
meetings. 'Interview potential audience'.....you gotta be kidding.