Proposed federal rule on methane emissions good first step but falls short for Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PennFuture Vice President and COO John Norbeck today issued the following statement in the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) just-announced proposed rule on methane emissions:

"Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a bold and much-needed step in announcing a goal of reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry 45 percent by 2025 – emissions which are expected to rise more than 25 percent during the period absent action. However, for Pennsylvanians, the rule has missed the mark by identifying only new sources and providing no clear pathway for existing sources of emissions. As the fastest growing natural gas producing state in the nation, Pennsylvania has thousands of operating gas wells that are spewing methane into the air and exacerbating climate change – sources that are not addressed in this proposed federal rule. Further, the 10-year time frame is simply too long – Pennsylvanians cannot afford to wait a decade for better air for their kids. Who would wait a decade to plug a gas leak in their house?

Therefore, it is ever more incumbent on Gov.-elect Tom Wolf to demonstrate leadership on this issue. We are calling on Gov.-elect Wolf to launch a rulemaking in his first 100 days to directly regulate methane in Pennsylvania. Voluntary programs are not the answer when only a handful of drillers comply and the bulk of producers do little – or nothing.

Seventy percent of Pennsylvania voters support methane regulations. The people have turned the page on the Corbett administration's mis-handling of the gas industry and have chosen accountability over a quick buck. The technology to address methane emissions is inexpensive and readily available. Our citizens deserve the public health, environmental, and economic benefits that comprehensive methane standards will afford."

PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization founded in 1998 with offices in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre. The organization's activities include litigating cases before regulatory bodies and in local, state, and federal courts; advocating and advancing legislative action on a state and federal level; public education; and assisting citizens in public advocacy.

Contact: Elaine Labalme [email protected]
412.996.4112

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SOURCE PennFuture

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