On November 16, the York County-based Young Evangelicals For Climate Action released this statement from YECA National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel commenting on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed methane emissions limits on oil and gas facilities--

“The very mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment, and it is imperative that the EPA utilize its authority and responsibility to cut harmful methane pollution from the oil and gas industry.

“Methane is a potent and dangerous greenhouse gas that is 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years. Climate change is already impacting communities, and it will only get worse if we do not swiftly reduce emissions.

“According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reducing short-term pollution, including methane, can help to significantly limit warming to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.

“YECA thanks EPA Administrator Regan and the entire EPA team for their work in getting this new proposal out for public comment.

“We are especially pleased that the new proposed standards will target actual methane emissions, not just oil and gas production. With an emission-based rule, super polluters will no longer slip through the cracks.

“For the sake of our neighbors, it is vital that we drastically reduce harmful pollution that has a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities. This is why we are grateful that this new proposal:

-- Ends the use of equipment that intentionally pollutes, including pneumatic controllers and pumps within 3 years of the rule’s finalization

-- Puts strict guidelines on flaring

-- Requires regular OGI (Optical Gas Inspections) on all wells except the simplest sites that still require AVO (Audio, Visual, Olfactory) inspections

-- Provides plans for approving the latest technology use in monitoring

-- Allows communities to be involved in monitoring Super Emitter Sites

-- Requires states to develop State Implementation Plans with 18 months of the final rule being published

“We applaud the EPA for this stronger rule and look forward to joining with other young Christians in advocating for the strongest protections possible for our communities.”

For more information on initiatives and how you can get involved, visit the Young Evangelicals For Climate Action website.

(Photo: Methane emissions from conventional gas well in Allegheny County, Earthworks.)

Resource Articles:

-- Environmental Health Project Statement On U.N. Framework Convention On Climate Change (COP27)

-- EPA Unveils Proposed Methane Pollution Reduction Standards Covering Oil & Gas Facilities, Including Conventional Oil & Gas Wells [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- IRRC Approves Final VOC/Methane Emission Limits On Conventional Oil & Gas Wells - Federal Highway Funds Still At Risk; And First State MCL For PFOS/PFOA  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette/Capitolwire.com: Will An Act Of ‘Spite’ By PA House Republicans Cost The State Hundreds Of Millions In Federal Transportation Funding?  [Blocking Methane Limits On Oil & Gas Facilities]

-- Environmental Health Project Calls Proposed EPA Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Rule Good First Step [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: Efforts To Stop A Natural Gas Leak For The Last 13 Days At A Cambria County Underground Gas Storage Area Have Failed, Gas Is Again Escaping  [PaEN]

-- AP: Leak At Pennsylvania Natural Gas Storage Well Spewing Methane

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Natural Gas Leak In Cambria County, Thought To Have Been Stopped, Is Leaking Again

[Posted: November 16, 2022]

11/21/2022