Secret recordings of oil and gas-industry lobbyists show industry insiders were aware the industry was flaring far too much gas and were worried it would threaten the industry’s public reputation, the New York Times reported.

The discussion, convened last year by the Independent Petroleum Association of America, revealed the industry’s concern that flaring could undo the industry’s efforts to promote gas as a climate-friendly energy source.

“We’re just flaring a tremendous amount of gas,” Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said at the June 2019 gathering.  “This pesky natural gas,” he said. “The value of it is very minimal.”