Pennsylvanians united in call for stronger methane and air pollution rules
During a recent public comment period, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians supported action to strengthen Governor Tom Wolf’s proposal to cut methane and air pollution from existing oil and gas infrastructure. Oil and gas wells emit more than one million tons of methane each year in Pennsylvania alone.
Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas and an extremely potent climate pollutant, is responsible for a quarter of the global warming we are experiencing today. It is released from oil and gas infrastructure alongside volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which form smog and acutely harm human health.
Residents turned out in full force for the 66-day public comment period on the governor’s proposed rule – and they weren’t shy about urging the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make improvements to the proposal before it’s finalized. Elected officials, faith leaders, academics, and representatives of a wide array of non-environmentally-focused organizations in Pennsylvania also submitted comments – all asking for a strengthened final rule.
Closing the loophole for low-producing wells is priority number one
While over 38,000 comments were submitted in support of the rule, there was one overarching theme: low-producing wells are responsible for more than half the O&G methane pollution in Pennsylvania, the proposal currently exempts these wells from inspection requirements, and that loophole needs to close.
The Rev. Alison M. Cornish, executive director of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, was one of over two dozen faith leaders who joined the chorus, adding, “While the proposed rule as it stands is a good start, the DEP must strengthen the proposed existing source rule to protect the health of our children, the vulnerable, and those most at risk, while reducing Pennsylvania’s perhaps most harmful greenhouse gas.”
In a bipartisan letter signed by state senators, state representatives, county officials, city officials (including the mayors of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia), towns, townships, and boroughs, 69 local officials called for stronger methane rules, saying “Air and climate pollution does not stop at the city, county, or legislative district line. Leaking equipment and infrastructure presents serious concern for public health and climate statewide.”
Scores of public health professionals also weighed in to ask that the loophole be closed, noting that, “More than two dozen studies have shown a correlation between oil and gas development and a host of health issues, including respiratory problems, cardio-pulmonary issues, fatigue and nausea, neurological issues such as memory impairment and depression. Some studies have shown an increased incidence of birth defects, premature births, and low birth weight babies born to mothers living close to oil and gas development.”
Organizations outside of the environmental space also felt compelled to weigh in, with one such letter signed by groups ranging from the Vet Voice Foundation and the Pennsylvania Farmers Union to Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship. The organizations’ leaders were adamant about the need to address emissions from low-producing wells, adding that, “the Commonwealth has a duty to Pennsylvania families and future generations to cut methane waste and pollution. Climate change can lead to strange and severe weather events such as flooding, threatening our state’s proud agricultural heritage and critical wetland habitat for wildlife.”
The Evangelical Environmental Network submitted a letter from 28,596 Pennsylvania evangelicals calling for stronger rules.
Impacted residents, young people, responsible drilling advocates raise their voices
Those living close to oil and gas development were especially keen to weigh in on the merits of Pennsylvania’s proposed methane and VOC rule and why it must be as protective as possible. Over three days of virtual public hearings in June, more than 100 residents made their voices heard, speaking out for themselves, their families, and their communities.
The vast majority of comments supported the rules and urged DEP and Governor Wolf to strengthen them – not only to close the low-producing well loophole but also to eliminate a provision allowing operators to reduce how often wells are inspected simply because previous inspections did not reveal enough equipment leaking. Both the latest research and experience of other states have shown that large, uncontrolled leaks can happen at any time and can only be detected with frequent, regular inspections. A well site can also have a very small percentage of equipment leaking but nonetheless be emitting significant amounts of dangerous pollution.
Barbara Clifford, a great grandmother in Susquehanna County, told DEP at one of the hearings: “To better protect my health and that of my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and reduce impacts from climate change on my farm and others in Pennsylvania, I implore DEP to improve its proposed rule by removing industry loopholes.”
Vanessa Lynch, a mother of two, was adamant: “When we moved back to Pittsburgh after my husband’s military service to raise our children, we expected to do so in a healthy and safe environment. We did not expect to have sacrificed so much to ensure the safety of our country, only to return home and not have our own community working to protect us and our children in return.”
Heath Asbury, another Allegheny County resident, felt similarly about the urgent need for protections. According to him, “Of all the harm caused by the recent oil and gas development, from the heavy truck traffic, to noise pollution, well fires and explosions, concerns for well and spring water, and unsightly well tanks and pump jacks, the most concerning aspect is the threat to our air quality. A threat that is pervasive and impossible to escape.”
In the state’s northern tier, home to heavy drilling activity in the Marcellus Shale, residents have called for stronger oil and gas protections for years. Ralph Kisberg, founding board member of the Responsible Drilling Alliance, spoke plainly about the need to close the loophole for low-producing wells: “While we support this rulemaking, we believe it does not go far enough…we believe such an exemption will lead to a loss of quality of life and property values for more Pennsylvanians.”
The perspective of Temple University senior Sean Welch was informed by a recent semester abroad helping farmers and poorer residents in Cusco, Peru. “Unlike most of the world, we have the privilege to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis on our residents,” said Welch at the June 25 hearing. “I urge the Department not to take that privilege for granted.”
University professors representing institutions from across Pennsylvania submitted comments calling for three specific changes, including removing the exemption for low-producing wells. Their comments stated, “This rule demonstrates real progress in Pennsylvania’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and curb climate change. However, we urge the Department of Environmental Protection to strengthen the proposed rule to achieve even greater reductions in methane and VOCs.”
Other organizations that weighed in asking for stronger methane rules included groups such as the American Lung Association, the Center for Methane Emission Solutions (a coalition of methane mitigation companies), Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, among many, many others. All the comments submitted can be viewed online here.
A million-ton methane problem that must be addressed
An Environmental Defense Fund analysis in May 2020 showed that Pennsylvania’s oil and gas wells emit over one million tons of methane pollution annually, or 16 times what is being reported to DEP. The annual climate impact of this pollution is double that of all the cars in Pennsylvania combined. Nevertheless, the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a dangerous rollback of successful federal methane rules, and sent EPA Administrator, and former coal lobbyist, Andrew Wheeler to Pittsburgh to make the announcement.
In the face of this federal failure, the message from across Pennsylvania and from so many different perspectives, is loud and clear: Governor Wolf and DEP must move swiftly to strengthen their proposed rule and enact comprehensive, protective methane standards for existing oil and gas infrastructure. Our communities, public health and climate depend on it.
