The Environmental Health Project Executive Director Alison L. Steele, released this statement on the oil and gas methane emissions reduction rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--

"The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed methane rule is a good first step to improving the public health of residents living in proximity to shale gas development.

“Reducing leaks of methane and other harmful pollution—volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and radium—into local communities will result in lowering the risk to residents of a wide range of serious health issues.

“Studies have found that these pollutants raise the risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses, heart disease and heart attacks, birth defects and pre-term deliveries, mental health issues, and cancer, among other health impacts. 

"The Environmental Health Project urges the Environmental Protection Agency to continue to sponsor regulatory measures that better protect the health of families living near shale gas infrastructure.

“These measures should compel industry to further reduce emissions through requiring continuous monitoring, ending routine flaring, and increasing setback distances between facilities and occupied buildings, including home and schools.

“Regulators should also take into account all sources of pollution when permitting any new shale gas facility, while giving communities a stronger voice in the siting of shale gas operations.

“Only then will families have the health protections they deserve."

Click Here for information on Air Quality Impacts of shale gas operations.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the  Environmental Health Project website or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

(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]

-- Young Evangelicals For Climate Action Celebrates Stronger Proposed EPA Oil & Gas Methane Standard  [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