Major Investors Demand Ambitious Methane Regulations in the U.S.

May 13, 2021 /3BL Media/ - As the Biden administration prepares to revise federal methane regulations, 147 oil and gas industry investors representing $5.35 trillion in assets under management signed on to a statement calling for comprehensive regulations to curb dangerous GHG emissions — and more stringent enforcement mechanisms to back them up.

As “prudent fiduciaries”, the statement says, the signatories believe that virtually eliminating methane emissions supports the financial goals of companies and investors. “By taking action on methane emissions, government can achieve valuable greenhouse gas reductions while helping American industry become cleaner and more competitive,” it continues. In 2019, U.S. oil and gas operations emitted 16 million metric tons of methane emissions, with a near-term climate impact greater than all U.S. coal-fired power plants.

"The debate is not whether there should be methane regulations, it’s about how strong the methane regulations should be and how strongly they should be enforced.” said Brian Rice, portfolio manager, CalSTRS. “Investors and companies have a responsibility to help ensure that methane is properly regulated.” 

Among the signatories include Allianz SE, CalSTRS, Legal & General Investment Management and Wespath Benefits and Investments. Read the full statement and complete list of signatories here.

In a first-day executive order, President Biden tasked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with considering and proposing, by September 2021, new performance standards and emissions guidelines for methane and volatile organic compounds emitted by the oil and gas industry. Through their statement, the investors called on the EPA to set a much stronger standard with mandatory regulations that apply to both existing and future infrastructure. 

The statement specifically urges the EPA to set regulations that will:

• Address the full scope of all possible industry emissions, including inactive or abandoned wells
• Provide frequent monitoring to ensure rapid detection and mitigation of leaks
• Minimize venting and flaring
• Support development and deployment of innovative technologies for methane mitigation
• Achieve ambitious emission reductions in a reasonably cost-effective manner

“We favour strong methane regulations, which are widely supported across the market,” said Alexander Burr, ESG policy lead at Legal & General Investment Management. “Given technological advances, they should be low-cost to introduce and offer potentially significant benefits for society. By contrast, continuing to have a weak regulatory framework risks both the industry’s social license and shareholder value, in our view.”

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is 84 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over the 20 years after its release. Researchers estimate that methane from human actions is responsible for at least a quarter of today’s warming, and addressing emissions from oil and gas operations offers one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to meet U.S. climate goals. Methane-related emissions exacerbate respiratory illness and contribute to ground-level ozone and smog, increasing the risk of heart disease. These impacts hit industry workers and those living nearby to well pads and fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations and communities of color.

“There is a strong business case for setting high standards on methane emissions in the oil and gas sector,” said Luan Jenifer, president, Miller/Howard Investments. “Ultimately, ambitious standards will benefit all stakeholders—investors, businesses, communities and the environment.”

Regulations would actually help, not harm, oil and gas companies, according to the statement. A 75% reduction in global methane emissions is possible with current technology, and up to 40% of emissions could be mitigated at no net cost. Many major oil and gas companies including Jonah, Pioneer, BP and Shell have already spoken out in favor of methane regulation.

Voluntary commitments alone have not achieved meaningful reductions. Many companies lag behind industry targets, the statement explains, while mandatory regulations would provide adequate tools and incentives, as they level the playing field. Satellite technology able to detect methane leaks to a granularity of 100 square meters, including MethaneSAT and Carbon Mapper, is expected to come on line in the next two years and will make emissions detection much more effective, supporting regulatory efforts and presenting further risk for companies.

"Insufficient regulatory clarity on methane emissions is a risk to investors and businesses,” said Mary Jane McQuillen, head of ESG investment and portfolio Manager at ClearBridge Investments. “Improved regulations will ensure that all companies operate on a level playing field, while helping to insulate them from possible reputational risk.” 

Whether methane escapes through venting, flares or leaks, it represents lost product and  earnings for oil and gas companies, a stated concern for the investors. Additionally, weak U.S. regulations could potentially damage future domestic natural gas companies’ export opportunities as foreign governments impose standards aligned with a net-zero economy.

“There are thousands of independent oil and gas companies across the country operating millions of wells, to say nothing of the more-than three million orphaned wells that can continue to leach methane into the atmosphere,” said Andrew Logan, senior director of oil and gas at Ceres. “Without strong regulations and a level playing field, some companies will continue to perform poorly, and as larger companies spin off old assets to smaller operators, the likelihood of leaks and fugitive emissions will increase. Without methane reductions, the climate math will not work for us to reach critical targets, locally or globally. It’s that simple.”

The statement’s signatories were coordinated by Ceres and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). It represents another step in a decade-long effort by investors to press for effective methane regulation at the federal and state levels. 

“ICCR has worked with investors for well over a decade on the negative impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations on local communities. The climate and health risks posed by unnecessary methane leakage has been central to our engagements with companies and regulators since 2015, when the Obama EPA first proposed meaningful regulation of this potent greenhouse gas,” said Christina Herman, program director for climate change & environmental justice at ICCR (Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility). “According to a recent U.N. report, the biggest opportunity for reducing methane lies in the fossil fuel sector, with cuts of about 60 percent possible in oil and gas emissions over the next decade. Strong methane regulations are needed now.”  

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

About ICCR

Currently celebrating its 50th year, ICCR is the pioneer coalition of shareholder advocates who view the management of their investments as a catalyst for social change. Its 300-plus member organizations comprise faith communities, socially responsible asset managers, unions, pensions, NGOs and other socially responsible investors with combined assets of over US$4 trillion. ICCR members engage hundreds of corporations annually in an effort to foster greater corporate accountability. Visit our website www.iccr.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Signatories

Aargauische Pensionskasse (APK) 
Adrian Dominican Sisters, Portfolio Advisory Board 
AkademikerPension 
Allianz Global Investors 
Allianz SE 
Arjuna Capital 
As You Sow 
ATISA Personalvorsorgestiftung der Tschümperlin-Unternehmungen 
Baldwin Brothers LLC
Bâtirente
BC Municipal Pension Plan
Bernische Lehrerversicherungskasse
Bernische Pensionskasse BPK
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Boston Common Asset Management
Boston Trust Walden
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation
Caisse Cantonale d'Assurance Populaire - CCAP
Caisse de pension du Comité international de la Croix-Rouge
Caisse de pension Hewlett-Packard Plus
Caisse de pensions de l'Etat de Vaud (CPEV)
Caisse de pensions du CERN 
Caisse de pensions du personnel communal de Lausanne (CPCL) 
Caisse de pensions ECA-RP 
Caisse de prév. des Fonctionnaires de Police & des Etablissements Pénitentiaires Caisse de Prévoyance de l'Etat de Genève CPEG 
Caisse de Prévoyance des Interprètes de Conférence (CPIC) 
Caisse de prévoyance du personnel communal de la ville de Fribourg 
Caisse de prévoyance du personnel de l'Etat de Fribourg (CPPEF) 
Caisse de prévoyance du personnel de l'Etat du Valais (CPVAL) 
Caisse intercommunale de pensions (CIP) 
Caisse paritaire de prévoyance de l'industrie et de la construction (CPPIC) CalSTRS 
CAP Prévoyance 
Capricorn Investment Group 
Change Finance 
Chrysalix EVC 
Church Investment Group 
CIEPP - Caisse Inter-Entreprises de Prévoyance Professionnelle 
ClearBridge Investments 
Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes 
Congregation of St. Joseph 
Corporate Responsibility office - Province of Saint Joseph of the Capuchin Order Dana Investment Advisors 
Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise 
Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill 
Earth Equity Advisors 
Encourage Capital
Etablissement Cantonal d'Assurance (ECA VAUD) 
Ethos Foundation 
Everence and the Praxis Mutual Funds 
EverHope Capital 
Figure 8 Investment Strategies 
First Affirmative Financial Network 
Fondation de la métallurgie vaudoise du bâtiment (FMVB) Fondation de prévoyance Artes & Comoedia 
Fondation de prévoyance du Groupe BNP PARIBAS en Suisse Fondation de prévoyance professionnelle en faveur de AROMED Fondation de prévoyance Romande Energie 
Fondation Interprofessionnelle Sanitaire de Prévoyance (FISP) Fondation Leenaards 
Fondation Patrimonia 
Fonds de Prévoyance de CA Indosuez (Suisse) SA 
Fonds interprofessionnel de prévoyance (FIP) 
Friends Fiduciary Corporation 
Gebäudeversicherung Luzern 
Gebäudeversicherung St. Gallen 
Gestion FÉRIQUE 
Hexavest Impact Investors 
Impax Asset Management LLC 
Jesuit Committee on Investment Responsibility 
JLens 
LACERA - Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association Leadership Team of the Felician Sisters of North America Legal & General Investment Management 
Local Authority Pension Fund Forum 
Luzerner Pensionskasse 
Mennonite Education Agency 
Mercy Investment Services, Inc. 
Miller/Howard Investments, Inc. 
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate JPIC Office 
Natural Investments 
NEI Investments 
Nest Sammelstiftung 
Neumeier Poma Investment Counsel, LLC 
New York City Office of the Comptroller 
New York State Common Retirement Fund 
Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment 
Office of the Vermont State Treasurer 
Pensionskasse Römisch-katholische Landeskirche des Kantons Luzern Pensionskasse AR 
Pensionskasse Bank CIC (Schweiz) 
Pensionskasse Basel-Stadt 
Pensionskasse Bühler AG Uzwil 
Pensionskasse Caritas
Pensionskasse der Basler Kantonalbank 
Pensionskasse der Stadt Frauenfeld 
Pensionskasse der Stadt Winterthur 
Pensionskasse Pro Infirmis 
Pensionskasse Schaffhausen 
Pensionskasse SRG SSR 
Pensionskasse Stadt Luzern 
Pensionskasse Stadt St. Gallen 
Pensionskasse Unia 
Personalvorsorgekasse der Stadt Bern 
Prévoyance Santé Valais (PRESV) 
prévoyance.ne 
Profelia Fondation de prévoyance 
Prosperita Stiftung für die berufliche Vorsorge 
Quantum Energy Partners 
Raiffeisen Pensionskasse Genossenschaft
Region VI Coalition for Responsible Investment 
Rentes Genevoises 
Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management 
RP - Fonds institutionnel 
RRSE (Regroupement pour la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises) School Sisters of Notre Dame Cooperative Investment Fund Secunda Sammelstiftung 
Seventh Generation Interfaith Inc 
Signet Strategic Wealth Management, Inc. 
Silicz Wealth Management Team 
Sisters of Bon Secours USA 
Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill Philadelphia, PA Sisters of St Dominic Racine, WI 
Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell 
Sisters of St. Francis 
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia 
Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield 
Sisters of the Humility of Mary 
Sisters of the Presentation of the BVM of Aberdeen SD St. Galler Pensionskasse 
Stiftung Abendrot 
SVA Zürich 
Terre des hommes Schweiz 
The Episcopal Church (DFMS) 
The Pension Boards-UCC, Inc. 
Trillium Asset Management 
Unfallversicherungskasse des Basler Staatspersonals Unitarian Universalist Association 
Université de Genève (UNIGE) 
Verein Barmherzige Brüder von Maria-Hilf (Schweiz) Vermont Pension Investment Committee 
Vorsorge SERTO 
Wespath Benefits and Investments