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Washington, DC—Today, Administrator Lee Zeldin’s EPA has issued a final rule to delay by 18 months the implementation of the 2024 U.S. EPA Methane Standards—which limit methane pollution from oil and gas leaks, venting, and flaring—despite potential health risks, especially for families living with oil and gas operations in their communities. The methane rule is even more critical today with much more natural gas being used to supply a huge amount of the power required by AI data centers. Furthermore, industry already supports methane regulation, with states such as Colorado and New Mexico having adopted the standards. These regulations are reducing pollution and protecting our children’s health.
Adding insult to injury, EPA offered no opportunity for public input until after the Interim Final Rule delay was finalized, in violation of the law. Today’s rule seeks to cement the delay before the court rules, while disregarding the strong opposition to the rule from members of impacted communities and clean air experts and advocates.
Patrice Tomcik, Senior National Field Director for Moms Clean Air Force, who lives in Pennsylvania, said of today’s ruling:
“Over the past decade that I have been working on oil and gas methane protections, we’ve seen a large increase in studies associating proximity to oil and gas operations with health issues. Parents like me who live with oil and gas in our neighborhoods and near our children’s schools have urged EPA to protect our families from this pollution.
“My youngest son is a leukemia cancer survivor and is at a greater risk of having cancer again. Oil and gas operations emit climate-warming methane and harmful volatile organic compounds, such as benzene, which increase the risk of immune system damage and cancers, including childhood leukemia. As a mother, I have to be extra vigilant about air and other toxic pollution he is exposed to. EPA could help by simply doing their job and implementing protections now.
“The EPA announcement that they will delay the rule requiring polluters to comply with commonsense methane protections means children who live with the oil and gas industry in their communities will continue to be exposed to dangerous air pollution. Children in my town and across the nation need a strong and comprehensive oil and gas methane rule as soon as possible. Our families have waited long enough.”