Statement of Earthworks PA and OH Field Advocate Leann Leiter on Governor Wolf’s proposal to limit air pollution from existing oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania:
“Governor Wolf’s proposed new oil and gas air pollution safeguards signal his administration’s recognition of the reality faced by all Pennsylvanians: oil and gas production harms health and climate. This milestone proposal is a step in the right direction because it requires operators to take actions that will help reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) and methane pollution.
“However, Pennsylvania’s ability to meaningfully cut climate pollution and protect health is challenged by constant industry expansion. True climate leadership demands that any pollution reduction measures address the overall impact of the oil and gas sector and help achieve science-based, climate emission targets.
“In light of the climate crisis and the Trump administration’s proposed rollbacks of national pollution safeguards, strong action by fossil fuel-producing states like Pennsylvania has never been more critical to limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees C. We look forward to working with residents, partners, elected officials, and the Wolf administration to ensure that the final rules reflect this fact.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• EarthBLOG on impacts to Pennsylvania of Trump’s rollback of EPA methane safeguards.
• Optical gas images (OGI) of oil and gas pollution in Pennsylvania.
• LINK to oil and gas threat map that shows over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians within a ½ mile threat radius of oil and gas development, more than 300,000 of them school children.
