Clean Air Council Applauds EQB for Beginning Rulemaking Process to Control Emissions from Existing Oil and Gas Facilities

Harrisburg, PA (December 17, 2019) Today, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) voted to initiate the rulemaking process on draft regulations to control VOC and methane emissions from the tens of thousands of existing oil and gas facilities in Pennsylvania.  The draft rule will now be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and a formal public comment period will open sometime next month. Pennsylvania is the second-largest natural gas producing state in the country. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for one-quarter of the devastating climate warming we have experienced to date.  Methane leaks at all stages of the natural gas supply chain, and independent studies have shown that methane emissions from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry may be nearly five times higher than what industry self-reports to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

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.”