On May 12, the Obama administration announced steps to regulate methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Methane is the main component of natural gas and plays a role in climate change.

The Washington Post reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule will reduce emissions from new or modified wells. This rule won’t affect the majority of oil and gas rigs, well pads and equipment, but EPA intends to regulate those in the future.

Ultimately, the new rules should help to reduce air pollution and negative public health impacts as well as to combat climate change.

Read more: The Washington Post > Obama administration announces historic new regulations for methane emissions from oil and gas

Related:

• Pennsylvania plans to reduce methane emissions from shale gas wells and pipelines – Jan. 22, 2016
• Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry could be affected by new methane emissions plan – Oct. 5, 2015