WASHINGTON, D.C. — The EPA and the Obama administration’s next focus is the reduction of emissions of methane gas from the oil and gas industry.

With the Clean Power Plan recently finalized and coal on the ropes, the EPA is proposing standards to reduce methane emissions down to 45 percent, a 40 percent decrease. The EPA has said that methane is a greenhouse gas which has a global warming potential greater than carbon dioxide.

Most of the methane emitted is from production of oil and natural gas, making it the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human activities.

“Today, through our cost-effective proposed standards, we are underscoring our commitment to reducing the pollution fueling climate change and protecting public health while supporting responsible energy development, transparency and accountability,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said as part of a statement.”

Corky DeMarco of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association saw the proposed standards as another attack on fossil fuels from the EPA.

“The reduction of methane emissions that EPA put out today is just another assault on fossil fuel production,” DeMarco said. “While natural gas production has increased by nearly 40 percent since 2007, this same industry has reduced methane emissions, without mandatory limits being imposed by over 35 percent.”

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito agreed with DeMarco, saying in a statement that the proposal would hurt natural gas with coal already hurting badly.

“The administration continues its crusade against fossil fuels regardless of its own data and the threat to jobs and affordable energy for American families,” Capito said. “Natural gas is a large and vital part of West Virginia’s economy, especially with our coal industry under attack. However, these new methane mandates threaten to impede natural gas development and job growth in the Mountain State.”

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin also condemned the proposal, saying that “more overreach from the EPA” is “the last thing we need right now.”

The EPA claims that the proposal is part of the Obama administration’s commitment to “take action on climate change and protect public health.”