The US presidency has set a new goal to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40-45% by 2025 compared to 2012 levels, as part of its strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Methane, which has 25 times the heat-trapping potential of CO2 over a 100-year period, accounted for about 10% of US greenhouse gas emissions in 2012; nearly 30% of these methane emissions are related to the oil and gas sector (production, transmission and distribution). Methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, which have been falling by 16% since 1990, are expected to grow by more than 25% by 2025. To curb these emissions, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will update decades-old standards to reduce wasteful venting, flaring, and leaks of natural gas (primarily methane), from oil and gas wells. The Department of Energy will also promote voluntary agreements in the industrial sector.