European Parliament backs three-year methane rules delay

The European Parliament voted on October 22 to back a three-year postponement of specified methane requirements for fossil-fuel importers, adopting a negotiating position that still needs agreement with EU governments before it can take effect. Under the position, importers of natural gas, crude oil and coal would have until May 31, 2031, to demonstrate that covered supply contracts meet monitoring, reporting and verification standards equivalent to EU rules. The existing timetable sets January 1, 2027, as the start of those requirements. Parliament’s proposed date applies to contracts signed or renewed since August 4, 2024, and related reporting on steps taken to adapt earlier contracts. The parliamentary text also delays reporting on the methane intensity of fuels sold. Producers and importers would have until August 2031 to submit their first such reports, rather than 2029. EU oil and gas operators would receive additional time for verified reports combining measurements at individual emissions sources and across installations, with deadlines in February 2030 for directly operated sites and August 2031 for other sites. Fuel from countries under EU sanctions would remain...