Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) blasted today’s announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the agency is planning to roll back the Obama era methane emissions standards for the oil and gas industry:
“Today’s announcement from Acting Administrator Wheeler is unconscionable, but unfortunately not surprising given the Trump Administration’s pattern of catering to the wishes of corporate polluters. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas - far more damaging to our climate than carbon dioxide - and the problem of rampant leaks and waste at oil and gas operations is well-documented.
“EPA’s move to weaken commonsense and cost-effective requirements for oil and gas operations to find and repair leaks in a timely manner undermines critical public health protections from harmful pollutants like methane, benzene and volatile organic compounds. With this reckless proposed loophole, the Trump Administration is siding with the worst actors in the oil and gas industry and is putting polluter profits ahead of the lives of Americans."
Methane is a potent contributor to climate change, with more than 25 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. The Obama era rule aimed to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40 percent from 2012 levels by 2025.
