Over-regulating methane emissions could discourage the use of environment-friendly natural gas, an energy industry representative told the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday. However, a former Colorado air quality official countered that such controls would be a cost-effective way to fight climate change. The EPA heard radically different views as it opened public hearings in Denver on its proposal to slash allowable methane emissions from oil and gas production. Sessions were also scheduled in Dallas on Wednesday and in Pittsburgh on Sept. 29. The proposed rules are aimed at cutting the emissions by 40 to 45 percent by 2025 compared with 2012 levels. Methane is a key component of natural gas and a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the upper atmosphere. The EPA estimates the new rule would cost industry from $320 million to $420 million annually by 2025 but would reduce […]