PA Environment Digest Blog: Evangelical Environmental Network Delivers Over 36,000 Comments From Pro-Life Christians To Gov. Shapiro, DEP In Support Of Strong Oil & Gas Industry Methane Emission Controls

On October 15, EEN Action–- the 501(c)(4) partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN)–- delivered over 36,000 comments from pro-life Christians in Pennsylvania to Governor Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection calling for a strong State Implementation Plan to meet the federal oil and gas industry methane emissions reduction rule.

Last December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized strong safeguards on wasteful and dangerous methane emissions that will significantly cut climate-warming pollution and associated air toxics.

These critical standards tackle a range of new and existing pollution sources that leak methane and other toxics, negatively impacting the health of Pennsylvanians, especially our children.

Now, Pennsylvania must update its oil and gas industry air quality standards to align with the EPA’s, which would deliver the benefits of these new safeguards to our Commonwealth.

The DEP should take heed of these conservative Christian voices and quickly move forward with creating a strong SIP that meets the EPA’s requirements and defends children’s health.

Kim Anderson, Director of Member Mobilization for EEN Action, said-- “When Governor Shapiro served as Attorney General, he investigated the impact of the oil and gas industry on the residents of Pennsylvania.

“The report concludes that, ‘The risks of this… industry should fall on the industry and the regulatory agencies, not on the public. As we see it, the purpose of government agencies like DEP and DOH is to proactively prevent harm, not to wait and see if the worst really happens.’”

Over 36,000 Pennsylvanians have signed EEN Action’s petition to say, ‘I am concerned about wasteful methane emissions and toxic pollution that risk Pennsylvanians' health, contribute to climate change, and waste our natural resources.

‘Now that the EPA has finalized new standards for methane emissions from new and existing sources, it's time to start designing a strong state implementation plan (SIP) that benefits Pennsylvania.’

‘Fortunately there are actions the DEP can take now by rolling out the strongest possible methane standard and putting into place safeguards, thus defending the health of children across the commonwealth through a strong SIP. We call on the DEP to do so, so that parents don’t have to wonder if where their children live, learn, and play is safe for them.”

Visit the EEN Action and Evangelical Environmental Network websites for more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events. ENN is based in New Freedom, York County.

The mission of ENN is to inspire, equip, educate, and mobilize evangelical Christians to love God and others by rediscovering and reclaiming the Biblical mandate to care for creation and working toward a stable climate and a healthy, pollution-free world.

Resource Link:

-- DEP Advisory Group To Hear How DEP Proposes To Implement New Federal Methane Reduction Rule For Conventional Oil & Gas, Shale Gas Wells, Infrastructure Oct. 10 [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 12 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 87 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 12 PA Bulletin [PaEN]