Contact: DKC News, MomsCleanAirForce@dkcnews.com
WASHINGTON, DC– The House and Senate introduced companion Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions today that undermine the implementation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s waste emissions charge, which is a critical measure to cut methane waste and pollution from oil and gas operations.
In response, Moms Clean Air Force staff and organizers released the following statements:
“Reducing methane pollution helps protect the health and safety of our children, communities, and is one of the best levers we have for combating climate change,” says National Field Manager Celerah Hewes. “The Waste Emissions Charge CRA threatens to rescind critical pollution protections for our families and those living near oil and gas facilities. This fee is a commonsense measure to cut excessive methane waste, protect the health of our families, and hold the largest oil and gas polluters accountable. If this comes to a vote, members should keep implementation of the Waste Emissions Charge in place because all children have the right to breathe clean air and live in a safe, stable climate.”
“Over 10.1 million people in the United States, and over 100,000 children in Pennsylvania live near active oil and gas production that can expose them to methane and other air pollutants,” says Pennsylvania Field Organizer Vanessa Lynch. “Support for reducing oil and gas methane waste and pollution is widespread even in battleground and key oil and gas producing states. Recent polling found that more than two-thirds of these voters support efforts to swiftly enact stronger standards on methane pollution from oil and gas development to protect the air we breathe and safeguard the health and well-being of our families. As a mother who lives with fracked wells in my community, I ask that our Congressional members keep the Waste Emissions Charge in place so we can protect our communities and the air our children breathe.”
“Colorado has led the nation in methane protections, but we still have a way to go. As a mother with children living near oil and gas operations in Colorado, I encourage members of Congress to keep the Waste Emissions Charge, as this fee will provide essential protections for families like mine from pollution,” says Colorado Field Organizer Laurie Anderson. “The fee is easily avoidable. Already leading companies have pledged to limit emissions below the pollution threshold established by the waste emissions charge and would avoid being subjected to the fee if those commitments are met. Companies only pay the fee on emissions above industry-set targets. Every child has the right to clean air and there must be a prioritization of their health and wellbeing by keeping this critical tool to reduce methane pollution in our communities.”
RESOURCES:
- Fact Sheet: Methane 101
- Blog Post: Incentives to Cut Methane Work