Advocating for change in the US

Methane regulations

Natural gas has a key role to play in getting the world to net zero – complementing renewable energy sources, reducing emissions and providing better air quality. Tackling methane emissions is vital if gas is to play its fullest role in the transition. But to do that, we need to tackle methane emissions fast, and regulations can help

Methane matters

Methane currently accounts for around one-fifth of man-made global greenhouse gas emissions on a like-for-like basis. It has a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO₂), but a greater near-term warming potential. In fact, methane has more than 80 times the warming power of CO₂ over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.

But because of methane’s shorter lifetime in the air, reducing new methane emissions could dramatically reduce the pace of warming. So curbing methane emissions from oil and gas can have incredible near-term impacts—both on climate warming and the world’s ability to meet net zero by 2050 or sooner.

Reducing methane in our operations

Methane is the primary ingredient in natural gas. That’s why we’re taking action to minimize methane emissions at our sites.

bp recently opened Grand Slam, a new centralized processing facility in the Permian Basin, our largest US onshore location. This electrified facility reduces methane emissions by replacing or eliminating the need for gas-driven equipment – including compressors and generators – and reducing the potential for leaks. It also helps reduce flaring by keeping gas in the pipe instead of burning it off. 

Keeping gas in the pipe is the right thing for the planet and for our business – the more gas we can bring to market, the more gas we can sell. We see Grand Slam as a promising model to replicate across our operations. And, it’s a key part of our plan to reach zero routine flaring at our onshore operations by 2025.

Measuring methane

Not only are we aiming to be net zero across our entire operations on an absolute basis by 2050 or sooner, we’re also adopting a new measurement approach to address methane emissions. This means installing methane measurement at all our existing major oil and gas processing sites by 2023 with a plan to publish the data collected and use it as a baseline to halve our methane intensity. 

Increased measurement is key to better reporting and planning targeted interventions (and assessing their impact). And we hope that by sharing our data, we can help others improve their methane emission reduction efforts, too.

Direct federal regulation is the right thing to do

Voluntary initiatives alone will not be enough to effectively minimize methane emissions across the sector. Regulation has a clear role to play. It’s a fair way to ensure all companies are prioritizing methane abatement.

We believe that tackling methane is key to protecting the role of gas on the way to net zero. So we’re convening experts, sharing best practices, advocating globally – including in the US – for greater regulation of methane.

bp isn’t waiting for regulation to reduce emissions from our operations. Tackling methane is front and center in bp’s near-term net zero transformation.

The Transportation & Climate Initiative

TCI’s Memorandum of Understanding is out now. Governors can sign on to bring this progressive climate plan to their states. Why? Because transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, according to the EPA. TCI is designed to reduce it by 20-25% across the region, all while creating jobs, boosting the economy and modernizing infrastructure 

The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional collaboration seeking to improve transportation, develop a clean energy economy and reduce carbon emissions across 12 East Coast states and the District of Columbia. bp is actively supporting its adoption. 

Modeled after RGGI and designed by state leaders, with help from the Georgetown Climate Center, the program would create a regional cap and trade program for transportation emissions. The policy aims for a 20-25% reduction in covered emissions in the first 10 years of the program, depending on the cap. 

TCI will generate revenue that can be used to bring cleaner, modernized infrastructure to the region – including funds that can focus on underserved communities.  

The US needs to release fewer emissions into the atmosphere. We also  need to generate new jobs and revenue at this crucial moment. TCI does both.  Estimates show TCI will:

• Add jobs to the region, from high-tech roles to the construction of modernized infrastructure and more.
• Increase regional GDP – studies predict a modest growth in GDP and disposable income that will help states recover.
• Provide certainty for businesses. TCI sets out a plan that increases the cost of carbon emissions, and lowers the cap on how many are allowed, over time. That gives industries the stability needed to invest more in clean technologies – like renewable power generation, electric vehicle infrastructure, hydrogen fuels, advanced biofuels and more. And the jobs that come with them.
• Reduce emissions 4X. Transportation is the largest source of pollution in most TCI states. TCI’s primary purpose is to reduce it by at least 20% in 10 years. 

bp is actively advocating for states to sign on to TCI, taking the necessary executive, legislative and regulatory steps to participate in the program once it is finalized.

And we’re not alone in our support. bp has joined with business leaders, transportation companies, environmental groups and more to bring this policy to the east coast. We’ll continue to work together to get as many states signed on as possible. Learn more about our coalition.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

With over a decade of proven success, RGGI reduces emissions from the power sector, creates jobs and helps pave the way to a net zero carbon future

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a successful cap-and-trade carbon pricing program for the power sector. Over the last decade, participating states have seen a range of benefits while emissions and electricity costs have decreased, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

Established in 2009, RGGI limits carbon emissions from power plants¹ by placing a regional cap on emissions and then requiring companies to buy or trade allowances to emit up to the limit of the cap. The cap decreases annually, so the allowance price rises every year. This system allows industry flexibility to meet reduction targets at the lowest possible cost.

Independent studies of the program show RGGI works for people, business and the planet. RGGI states also outpaced power sector emissions reductions in the rest of the country by 90 percent.*

bp publicly advocated for Virginia to join RGGI and was thrilled when the governor signed that bill into law in 2020. Now bp is actively encouraging Pennsylvania to benefit from the program along with its neighbors in:
 

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
   

We’re also part of a coalition of businesses and environmental organizations in Pennsylvania working to bring this policy to the Keystone State. We believe it’s good for citizens, the environment and the economy. 

_{¹ Applies where generators over 25MW are required to possess credits.}

_{^* The Acadia Center: “The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative 10 Years in Review.” 2019.} 

Comprehensive clean energy legislation 

Supporting a clean energy economy and new opportunities in the Land of Lincoln

bp supports more than 17,000 jobs across Chicagoland. The state is home to bp operations and employees, so we’re invested in supporting progressive climate policy as it takes shape. 

Supporting Illinois’ transition to a clean energy economy

Fewer emissions, cleaner, greener energy and more jobs - now is the time for Illinois to take bold steps to remove carbon from its entire economy. As one of Illinois’ diverse energy providers, we urge lawmakers to develop policy that will:

• Implement a carbon pricing policy – a market-based strategy for lowering global warming emissions. Carbon pricing is proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms for reducing emissions and it also creates an additional revenue stream for the state. Illinois could join one or more of the existing programs nationwide, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), California’s cap-and-trade program, and/or the proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative on the east coast. Alternatively, Illinois could develop its own carbon pricing program.
• Create the framework required for the commercial deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) – CCUS technology can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions today and lower atmospheric CO2 in the future. 
• Encourage investment in renewable energy – investments in wind, solar, advanced biofuels and biopower can help the state meet its energy goals.
• Support the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) – Methane emissions captured from landfills, wastewater treatment plants and farms can be converted into RNG, a lower carbon fuel, that can be used for transport, heating, electricity and cooking. Illinois’ extensive agricultural sector is well-positioned to take advantage of RNG for the benefit of farmers, consumers and our climate.
• Create opportunity for the expansion of a competitive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure – this is critical for the widespread adoption of EVs in the state.

Together these measures can help Illinois transition to a clean energy economy – addressing the need for cleaner, lower emissions energy while creating more jobs and new opportunities across the entire state.

Washington state legislation

Environmental and community groups, and businesses like ours were united in support of Washington’s new climate legislation. Why? It’s smart policy that achieves progress for people, the economy and our planet. And it gets the world closer to net zero

Home to our Cherry Point refinery, Washington is now the second state in the country with a comprehensive, economywide, market-based carbon pricing program.

The legislature and governor brought progressive climate policy to the Evergreen State that will lower carbon emissions for the benefit of everyone in Washington. The package of solutions will help to produce fewer emissions making the entire economy cleaner by:

• Incentivizing and rewarding innovation to reduce carbon emissions. If emitters have to reduce their footprint, businesses can offer new solutions that help them achieve those requirements.
  
• Creating policy certainty that sends clear signals to businesses. The policies in Washington state set an ambitious but achievable schedule to reduce emissions and evolve operations. If we can plan for it, we can thrive within it.
  
• Setting a new standard for the country and creating the opportunity to link Washington’s market to cap and trade markets in California and Quebec – and hopefully more in coming years.
  
• Learning from existing programs, in their successes and their shortcomings. Washington’s proposed legislation is stronger because of its predecessors.
  
• Strengthening the state’s economy. The legislation aims to create revenue that can reach throughout the entire state.
  
• Making climate goals achievable. Like bp, Washington has set an ambition to be net zero by 2050. A cap on emissions is the most effective and efficient way to get there.

Read more about how Washington’s ‘cap and invest’ proposal carries promise for emissions and the economy from The Seattle Times.

bp is committed to being part of the solution and we actively advocated for the passage of the Climate Commitment Act (SB 5126). We worked with Clean & Prosperous Washington, a campaign to advance the legislation, as well as a broad coalition of supporters. Learn more about their work. 

We’ll keep doing our part to bring Washington state closer to net zero, starting with our own operations. And we look forward to working with Washington state agencies as they look to implement the Climate Commitment Act.

CCUS in Illinois

Carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) is a proven technology that can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Illinois is one of a handful of states in the US that has the geology to store CO2 in a safe, secure and effective way. This means that Illinois is well positioned to attract the investment needed to deploy CCUS commercially and at scale. 

How can CCUS benefit Illinois?

Reduces carbon emissions – Illinois is one of the top CO2 emitters in the US. CCUS technology can reduce CO2 emissions from existing industries while also capturing CO2 emissions currently in the atmosphere.

Supports jobs – CCUS technology can decarbonize industries like ethanol and hard to abate sectors like steel and cement. Decarbonization can enhance the economic viability of these sectors.

Promotes economic growth – Captured CO2 can be used as a raw material in concrete, biofuels, fertilizers and plastics – potentially giving Illinois manufacturers a competitive edge.

How can Illinois make CCUS a reality?

Illinois needs legislation that provides clarity on key issues that are absent from existing state and federal regulations – yet critical to the commercial development of CCUS projects. Effective legislation can create a framework to deploy CCUS projects in Illinois by:

• Creating a clear permitting process for CCUS projects.
• Clarifying pore space ownership, which is essential for advancing CCUS.
• Setting clear guidelines that allow for CCUS project development if a majority of owners on a block of land agree.
• Establishing rules for transfer of ownership to the state for long-time stewardship once federal and state regulatory agencies verify storage is secured.

CCUS policy in Illinois is good for both people and the planet and can help the state meet its clean energy goals.