Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) voiced his support for the joint agreement announced today by President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reduce methane emissions. The leaders announced today’s agreement in a ceremony at the White House to greet the Canadian Prime Minister, the first official visit by a Canadian head of state in two decades.

“Today’s accord between two of the world’s largest economies takes important steps to combat climate change. I applaud President Obama and Prime Minister Trudeau for negotiating this agreement to reduce the United States’ and Canada’s methane emissions.  Cutting our methane output is critical to ensuring a healthy world and to preserving the vitality of the precious Arctic our countries share,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “This sort of progress is necessary to achieve our commitments under the 2015 Paris Climate Summit.  I support this plan and look forward to continuing to work with the Obama Administration to address the causes and consequences of climate change.  It is a threat we cannot ignore.”

Methane is a powerful contributor to the greenhouse effect, that is 25 times as strong as carbon dioxide.  After leaking from oil wells and pipelines, the gas traps solar energy and helps increase the global temperature. President Obama and Prime Minister Trudeau also expressed their commitment to hasten the implementation of the Paris Climate Summit provisions.