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Statement on U.S.-Canada Joint Climate, Energy, Arctic Announcement and EPA Plans to Limit Methane Emissions from Existing Sources

March 11, 2016

Washington D.C. – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to the United States begins a new era of cooperation between the United States and Canada on climate issues. SEEC Members released the following statement on the U.S.-Canadian joint climate, energy, and Arctic leadership announcement:

“We welcome Prime Minister Trudeau to the United States and are encouraged by the Canadian government’s willingness to work together to coordinate our two countries’ climate, energy, and Arctic goals. Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit comes after the successful Paris Climate summit and builds on that progress as our two countries jointly commit to long-term low greenhouse gas development strategies, clean energy development and improved energy efficiency standards.

“The United States’ and Canada’s aligned leadership in the Arctic is critical to ensuring that we protect and monitor one of the world’s most rapidly warming regions.

“Finally, we are pleased that in addressing methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources, the Administration has filled a major gap in our domestic greenhouse gas reduction strategy. The simultaneous development of methane standards by the U.S. and Canada will help ensure aggressive and permanent methane reductions in support of international climate goals. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that many SEEC members have encouraged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate from existing sources.

“We look forward to continued cooperation with Canada in the future as part of a global strategy to limit the effects of a changing climate.”