Poll suggests Albertans want tighter methane rules for energy industry
EDMONTON — As governments and regulators consider new rules for methane, a poll suggests nearly three-quarters of Albertans want tighter controls on the release of a potent greenhouse gas from oil and gas facilities.
The poll, done by EKOS research and funded by Environmental Defence, says 71 per cent of those surveyed want regulations on methane release to be at least as strict as those in the U.S.
“We wanted to demonstrate that people in Alberta, in particular, want to see this issue addressed,” said Tim Gray with Environmental Defence. “The data shows that they do — they care about it a lot.”
Methane, also known as natural gas, is a greenhouse gas at least 20 times more potent over the long term than carbon dioxide. The energy industry is Canada’s largest source and controlling those releases is considered to be one of the most cost-effective ways for the industry to address climate change.