Too much methane is dangerous. It is a potent climate-warming gas that can harm the health of our families and communities.
The good news is EPA has released an updated rule to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. This important step forward will help establish protections for the families living closest to oil and gas operations.
But EPA needs to hear we support this rule and want to see it completed swiftly.
Oil and gas operations spew methane into the air. Methane pollution has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over its first 20 years in the atmosphere, and reducing methane pollution is the best lever we have to quickly slow the pace of climate change.
The new proposal from EPA would reduce methane pollution from sources covered by the rule by 87% below 2005 levels. This is an unprecedented step in the right direction and an important part of President Biden’s commitment to cut emissions and fight the climate crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of people, like you, submitted public comments urging EPA to strengthen their methane protections earlier this year. EPA heard your concerns!
- The new rule strengthens requirements to find leaks and repair them, including requiring inspections at small wells with leak-prone equipment, which are responsible for roughly half of all the oil and gas methane pollution nationwide.
- It continues to require equipment that does not emit methane.
- It takes steps toward addressing highly polluting incidents with a new “Super-Emitter Response Program.”
- It requires that abandoned wells are subject to inspections until they are closed.
- It requires that flares are properly operated to reduce emissions.
Send your comment to EPA to thank them for these improvements and urge them to make the rule even stronger by fully eliminating pollution from routine flaring and ensuring frontline communities have the tools they need to hold polluters accountable.
Tell EPA to swiftly finalize this methane proposal—to help ensure everyone’s right to clean air.
TELL EPA: FINALIZE STRONG METHANE RULES TO PROTECT CHILDREN’S HEALTH