Earthjustice and Clean Air Council Sue Trump Administration Over Methane Rule Rollback

Environmental groups, tribal organizations and 20 U.S. states are suing the federal government over its rewrite of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for oil and gas facilities.

When: Tuesday, September 29th, Noon-1PM
Where: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZJF6IiGJTeWaHVluOf0WkQ

Who:

• Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5)
• Caitlin Miller, Associate Attorney, Earthjustice
• Robert Routh, Public Policy and Regulatory Counsel, Clean Air Council
• Lois Bower-Bjornson, Outreach Coordinator, Clean Air Council

What:

This online press conference will feature speakers involved in Earthjustice and Clean Air Council’s lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s recently finalized removal of the potent greenhouse gas methane from the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for oil and gas facilities.

Caitlin Miller, Associate Attorney, Earthjustice:

“The oil and gas industry is the largest industrial emitter of methane pollution in the country. Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is responsible for at least a quarter of all global warming we’ve experienced to date. Reducing the amount of methane pollution in our air isn’t just a matter of national importance, but one of global importance as well if we want to curb the impact of climate change before it’s too late. 

Even beyond climate impacts, EPA’s rollbacks of methane emissions standards will also result in more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants in our air, including known carcinogens like benzene. The impact will be even greater on the millions of people – often low income and people of color – who live just a few miles from these facilities.

Right now, especially in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, taking an action that will only increase air pollution – which has been proven to result in higher rates of COVID-19 deaths for people living in highly polluted areas – is staggeringly irresponsible. 

EPA is abandoning its statutory mandate to protect public health and welfare, and reduce pollution with these rollbacks.”

Real science and direct reporting show leaks are being underreported by up to 60%, and industry production is expected to significantly increase in the next 5 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency admits on their own website that this rollback would raise methane emissions by 370,000 tons before 2025. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently concluded that Summer 2020 was the hottest ever recorded in the Northern Hemisphere.

CONTACT: Russell Zerbo, advocate, rzerbo@cleanair.org 215-567-4004 ext. 130