Last week, I spoke before a Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee meeting, urging them to speed up the finalization of an important pipeline leak detection rule.
Gas pipelines in the U.S. are estimated to leak as much as 2.7 million tons of methane into our atmosphere each year.
These methane leaks accelerate climate change—and all its associated health impacts too.
But methane isn’t the only thing leaking from pipelines. Other harmful air pollutants—volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen sulfide—are also emitted. These co-pollutants can increase the risk of certain cancers, lead to preterm birth and low birth weight, and exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma.
This is unacceptable. And it’s a problem we can fix. The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a proposal to find and fix more methane leaks—but it’s already way behind schedule.
Research has shown that pipeline leaks happen more often in communities with a high percentage of people of color. As an African American mother who cares deeply about the health inequities faced by Black and Brown children living in historically marginalized communities across the country, I worry about this correlation.
Effective rulemaking is essential for helping to protect communities disproportionately impacted by oil and gas pollution. More frequent pipeline inspections and improved reporting have the potential to save lives.
Our communities and families need and deserve the health, safety, and climate protections of PHMSA’s pipeline leak detection rule.
Join Moms in urging PHMSA to stop the leaks ASAP.
Learn more about Moms’ work on methane.
TELL THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: PLUG DANGEROUS PIPELINE LEAKS ASAP