Environmental Defense Fund, Clean Air Council Applaud EQB Action On Proposed Regulation Controlling Emissions From Existing Oil & Gas Facilities

The Clean Air Council and Environmental Defense Fund applauded the December 17 action by the Environmental Quality Board to approve regulations to control methane emissions from existing oil and gas operations for public comment.

Clean Air Council

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council, issued the following statement:

“I commend Governor Wolf and the EQB for initiating the rulemaking process and teeing up a public comment period next month for stakeholders to engage on this critical rule.  Pennsylvania has a growing methane problem and, with the federal government moving to eliminate the direct regulation of methane emissions from oil and gas operations, it is imperative that the Commonwealth implement strong state controls without delay.  

“Clean Air Council will be engaged throughout the comment period as we work to ensure this draft rule is strengthened and loopholes are minimized to protect as many Pennsylvania families and communities as possible. In particular, we would urge DEP to remove the exemption for low-producing wells from the draft rule.  

“This exemption would allow tens of thousands of existing wells to avoid routine leak detection and repair requirements, despite the disproportionately high emissions coming from these wells. Still, today marks a big step forward for Pennsylvania and for upholding Governor Wolf’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.”

Environmental Defense Fund

The Environmental Defense Fund said: on the heels of what he termed the federal government’s “irresponsible rollback of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Gov. Tom Wolf took action as the Environmental Quality Board approved a proposed rule that seeks to cut emissions of methane and other harmful pollutants from the state’s unconventional natural gas industry.

“We congratulate Gov. Wolf and his administration for advancing strong policy to address methane pollution from the state’s natural gas operations,” said Andrew Williams, director of regulatory and legislative affairs, Environmental Defense Fund. “As the second largest natural gas producing state in the nation, Pennsylvania has a responsibility to protect our environment and safeguard families and future generations from this growing pollution threat.

“The good news is that industry is increasingly on board, with companies including Shell and ExxonMobil – both operating in Pennsylvania – now expressing support for methane regulation. Gov. Wolf and his team know that a strong economy and a healthy environment not only can coexist, but are interdependent. We look forward to a constructive rulemaking process that results in strong methane policy that a clear majority of Pennsylvanians support.“

EDF said in order to strengthen the draft rule and minimize loopholes and exemptions, DEP should:

-- Remove the exemption for low-producing wells that, in aggregate, generate a significant amount of harmful pollution in Pennsylvania; and

-- Eliminate the provision that relieves operators of their responsibility to conduct frequent inspections of equipment simply because previous inspections did not reveal significant leaks.

A potent greenhouse gas, methane is emitted from thousands of existing sources of natural gas infrastructure across Pennsylvania. Emissions of methane account for a quarter of the global warming we are currently experiencing.

NewsClips:
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DEP Estimates Proposed Methane Regs Approved By EQB Will Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations By 75,000+ Tons/Year
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[Posted: December 17, 2019] www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com