This was written by Patrice Tomcik, Moms Clean Air Force’s National Oil & Gas Program Coordinator:
At a time when federal action on air pollution is under attack, it is clear that strong leadership at the state level is the key to protecting our children. Thankfully Governor Tom Wolf and his administration has stepped up and announced the finalization of General Permits for new or expanding oil and gas operations known officially as GP-5 and GP-5a. These General Permits are designed to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, and accompanying Volatile Organic Compounds that can cause cancer and exacerbate asthma in children across the Commonwealth. A great victory for children’s health!
However, more work needs to be done because the General Permits are for new or expandingoil and gas operations. But what about the more than 310,000 children like mine who attend a school or daycare within a half mile of existing oil or gas operations that threatens their health and safety today? Governor Tom Wolf needs to finish the job by enacting common-sense protections to combat methane pollution from the thousands of existing sources of oil and gas infrastructure that criss-cross our state. Because we know that this pollution can travel great distances, no family, no child, is immune to this pollution, and we won’t rest until every Pennsylvania family is protected.
Thank Governor Wolf for protecting our children’s health and tell him to move quickly on reining in existing sources of natural gas pollution in Pennsylvania.
Our children are breathing now, and they need his protection today.
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