New Rule Proposed to control emissions from existing natural gas operations IN PENNSYLVANIA

 

Clean Air Council Approves of Governor Wolf’s Effort to Control Emissions from Existing Natural Gas Operations, Calls on Rule to be Strengthened to Comprehensively Address Methane

On Thursday, December 13, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is presenting  proposed rules for curbing air pollution from existing natural gas operations to the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, (AQTAC) DEP’s advisory committee on air quality issues. The rulemaking will target emissions of volatile organic compounds, which have known public health risks, and some methane, a potent greenhouse gas which is responsible for 25 percent of the climate change the planet is experiencing today.

Clean Air Council will join impacted residents, health professionals, faith leaders, methane mitigation experts and environmental organizations to publicly comment on the proposed rule. This broad coalition will thank Governor Wolf for regulating emissions from existing  natural gas operations and call on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to strengthen the methane pollution controls outlined in the draft rule to cover as many sources as possible. The groups claim that this is a critical step that builds upon Governor Tom Wolf’s previous decision to regulate emissions from new natural gas operations  and protects the long-term health of our Pennsylvania communities and planet.

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

“DEP’s proposed rulemaking on limiting air pollution at existing natural gas operations in Pennsylvania must include comprehensive methane controls that cover as many sources as possible. As the federal government continues to weaken basic pollution protections and deny climate change, it is becoming increasingly urgent for the Department of Environmental Protection to do as much as they can to reduce methane. DEP has clear legal authority to do so and also has the obligation to protect Pennsylvania’s air quality and public health today and for future generations.”