Pennsylvania has an important opportunity to cut pollution, protect our health, and boost our economy by adopting strong standards that reduce harmful methane and air pollution from existing oil and gas operations, while supporting innovation and job growth across the state.
Methane is a powerful climate pollutant—over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term—and is responsible for nearly a third of today's global warming. In 2023, Pennsylvania oil and gas sites released over 1 million metric tons of methane, wasting valuable energy resources and polluting the air we breathe.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley can lead by adopting these commonsense standards to reduce emissions, cut energy waste, improve public health, and keep Pennsylvania's energy sector competitive in a changing world. Once adopted, they should develop a plan to ensure these protections are durable in the long run. This is a smart investment in our future—and the time to act is now.
Dear Secretary Shirley,
As a constituent concerned with climate change, air pollution, and protecting our state's economy, I support Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection's proposal to adopt resilient methane protections based on the 2024 U.S. EPA methane rule that will align both environmental and economic goals and promote innovation while safeguarding public health.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in the short term, is responsible for about 30% of the warming we're experiencing today. A durable methane proposal will protect communities and our climate, create jobs, and help ensure that Pennsylvania's energy sector remains competitive as consumers demand cleaner sources of energy.
Research shows that reducing oil and gas methane emissions is the fastest, most cost effective way to slow the current rate of warming while protecting the health of frontline communities. Now is the time to implement long-lasting standards that cut methane from existing oil and gas sources.
In 2023 alone, Pennsylvania released more than 1 million metric tons of methane through venting, flaring and leaks – valued at $178 million and comparable to the climate emissions from 23 coal plants and more than enough to provide for the heating and cooking needs of every household in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
With so much uncertainty in Washington, Gov. Shapiro can lead by adopting these commonsense protections that will reduce emissions, create jobs, improve the health of all Pennsylvanians, and ensure they are durable regardless of what happens in Washington. That's exactly what these methane standards do and we need to adopt it.
