EU to Take Light-Touch Approach to Emissions Rules
The European Union will recommend flexibility in the enforcement of methane emissions rules set to take effect next year.
Whats going on: Ditte Juul J繪rgensen, director-general for energy at the European Commission, said Brussels would soon recommend flexibilities to stringent new requirements on fossil fuel importers to the bloc, as Europe continues to grapple with high energy prices (, subscription).
- The conflict in Iran and the regimes closure of the Strait of Hormuzthrough which approximately one-fifth of the worlds oil passeshas made it more difficult to shore up energy supplies, industry energy experts and European leaders say.
- The emissions rule from the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, will require that imports to the bloc are aligned with European emissions standards starting in January next year, or that they align with a voluntary industry standard (, subscription).
Why its problematic: Energy companies have said methane emissions rules will be nearly impossible to follow due to tough penalties and monitoring requirements.
- Implementing the regulations given the strait closure will risk supply shortages, they say.
The EU response: EU officials said last week that the Commission would recommend that monitoring requirements be interpreted flexibly.
- J繪rgensen said at a Thursday conference that energy companies wont be expected to trace emissions to the well, to the cargo, to the molecule, removing a significant burden for producers and importers.
