EPA accepting public comment on delaying regulation of methane from oil and natural gas development - until August 9th

Under Administrator Scott Pruitt, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is failing to uphold its mission to protect humane and environmental health. In fact, the EPA is being used to undermine important protections for people and the planet, like the Clean Air Act.

From now until August 9th, the EPA is accepting public comment on its proposal to delay implementation of parts of an important rule on protecting public health, and the climate, from methane pollution from oil and natural gas projects.

The EPA needs to hear from concerned citizens across the country. Any delay or weakening of the methane emission standards for the oil and natural gas sector is absolutely unacceptable.

Sign the statement below today to urge the EPA to withdraw its proposed delay in regulating methane from oil and natural gas development.


Statement:

Environmental Protection Agency, Docket: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0505

Public Comment on the Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector

As Americans concerned about human and environmental health, we strongly urge the EPA to withdraw the proposed two-year stay of key portions of the Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. We oppose any delay or weakening of regulations requiring oil and gas wells to prevent the leakage of methane that pollutes the air and contributes to the climate crisis.

Human and environmental health are closely intertwined. The EPA’s mandate is to protect both – not to thwart regulations that protect the environment and have a positive impact on the well-being of our communities. People who live near oil and gas extraction and development sites, especially children, are in great danger from leaking methane and related toxins. According to the Clean Air Task Force, more than 750,000 summertime asthma attacks in children are attributable to ozone smog from oil and gas pollution.

In addition, methane emissions have 80 times the heat-trapping capability of carbon dioxide, making it a major contributor to the climate crisis. As NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report, the planet continues to experience record-breaking increases in temperature. Preventing the leakage of methane is a cost-effective and practical step to help mitigate climate change.

It is therefore imperative that already-approved regulations, pursuant to the Clean Air Act , be fully implemented without any delay whatsoever for the sake of people and the planet.

Signed:

(Your name here.)