A critical measure to cut methane waste from the oil and gas industry is on the chopping block.
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undermine the implementation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s waste emissions charge, which is also known as the methane polluters fee. The Senate is gearing up to vote on a similar resolution this afternoon.
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution
As our National Field Director Patrice Tomcik wrote in a statement ahead of the House vote: “The methane polluters fee is a commonsense measure that protects the health of our families, cuts methane waste, and holds the largest oil and gas polluters accountable.”
That’s why Moms is one of the 77 groups that are urging Congress to defend the methane fee and vote “no” on attempts to roll back implementation of the program.
For families like Patrice’s, the fee is personal. Patrice says: “As a mother living with oil and gas operations in my neighborhood, I have concerns about the impact of oil and gas pollution on the health of my children and neighbors. Polling shows that support for stronger standards on oil and gas operations is widespread across the country including in oil and gas states, such as Pennsylvania, where my family lives. ”
The fee is a key tool in our fight against climate change too. Moms National Field Manager Celerah Hewes says in a statement: “Reducing methane pollution helps protect the health and safety of our children and our communities, and is one of the best levers we have for combating global warming.”
And from an energy security perspective, this fee just makes sense. It aims to curb methane leaks from the oil and gas industry, which are a major waste of valuable energy resources. In the U.S. alone, the amount of natural gas (read: methane) that is lost through leaks, venting, and flaring every year is enough to meet the annual needs of 14 million households.
Plus, Celerah points out that “leading companies have already pledged to limit emissions below the industry set pollution threshold established by the waste emissions charge and would avoid being subjected to the fee if those commitments are met.”
Celerah closes her statement with a call to action for our leaders in Congress: “With the CRA vote in the Senate expected imminently, we urge our elected leaders to hold the largest polluters accountable and stand for the right of our children to breathe clean air and live in a safe, stable climate.”
Learn more about Moms’ work on methane.
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution