Europe Blinks Again: Parliament Votes 3-Year Methane Rule Delay

Early last week, we told you Europe blinked on its crazy methane import rules, with the European Commission (the EU's executive branch) proposing a one-year delay (see Europe Blinks: EU Delays Methane Rules on U.S. LNG Imports a Year). Turns out one blink wasn't enough. Last Thursday, the European Parliament voted 341-225 (with 6 abstentions) to delay the rules by three years instead of one. Under Parliament's version, importers of oil, natural gas, and coal would have until May 31, 2031, to prove their foreign suppliers measure, report, and verify (MRV) methane leaks to EU standards. That's good news for U.S. LNG (liquefied natural gas) exporters, and for the Marcellus/Utica drillers and royalty owners whose gas feeds those export plants. But don't pop the champagne just yet. Parliament's vote is a negotiating position, not law. EU member governments couldn't agree last week, and if they don't publish a final fix by Dec. 31, the original rules kick in on Jan. 1, 2027.

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