Contact: Mollie Michel, [email protected], 718-536-6336
Washington, DC—Today’s announcement by the US Senate to reinstate the unlawful repeal of methane pollution protections is a positive step toward reversing the harm the previous administration has done. It will also help jump-start the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to strengthen a methane rule that protects families and communities from harmful air pollution.
In response to today’s announcement, Moms Clean Air Force issued the following quotes:
“In New Mexico, the areas with the most oil and gas operations are home to Latino and Indigenous communities. These populations are being burdened by the harmful air pollution that is leaking, venting, and flaring at alarming rates and can cause respiratory and heart disease. I’m thankful that Senator Martin Heinrich is leading efforts to clear the pathway for robust methane pollution protections for communities,” said Celerah Hewes, Albuquerque resident, mom, and New Mexico Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force.
“As a mom to five children living half a mile from 18 active oil and gas wells, today’s announcement by the Senate to reinstate methane pollution protections that were unraveled by the previous administration is heartening. While Colorado’s state leaders continue to strengthen oil and gas pollution regulations, families in our state are still being impacted by oil and gas air pollution from surrounding states that don’t have comprehensive state methane rules, complicating efforts to further reduce emissions. This makes federal pollution controls incredibly important,” said Laurie Anderson, Broomfield, CO, resident, Moms Clean Air Force’s Colorado organizer, and mother of five.
“The previous administration’s moves to eliminate vital methane pollution safeguards caused harm to the most vulnerable communities, particularly Black, Latino, and Indigenous people. This was unforgivable. As an Indigenous woman with asthma concerned about pollution from oil and gas operations, today’s action by the Senate to reinstate Obama-era methane rules helps me, and many in my community, breathe easier,” said Shaina Oliver, mother of four children, member of the Navajo Nation, and Moms Clean Air Force Organizer in Denver, Colorado.
“Each year the oil and gas industry releases millions of tons of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—and other harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air our families breathe, posing a serious threat to public health and worsening the climate crisis. My children are depending on Congress and the Biden Administration to take swift action to cut methane pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations by 65% below 2012 levels in the next five years,” said Patrice Tomcik, Pennsylvania resident, National Field Manager and Oil and Gas Specialist for Moms Clean Air Force, whose children attend school near fracked gas wells.