Tell the EPA: Protect our health and the climate from methane pollution!
Tell President Biden and the EPA it's time to cut oil and gas methane. Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas that is 80x more powerful than carbon dioxide and has caused an estimated third of modern global warming. But its also shorter-lived than carbon dioxide, so scientists say cutting methane is the fastest way to slow warming in the near term.
The EPA needs to strengthen its regulations and target 65% reduction by 2025 — and it's possible with existing technologies. But we need to hold the fossil fuel industry to higher standards. In addition to 65% by 2025, we're calling for the EPA to establish, without exception, regular leak monitoring requirements for all oil and gas wells, impose strict limits on routine flaring of gas at oil wells, and other key improvements. Our families and communities deserve nothing less.
Add your name today to tell the EPA that we need stronger methane regulations to protect our climate and communities.
Thank you for taking action to curb methane pollution on behalf of the 12.5 million people living in our country who live near oil and gas drilling operations and all of us who face impacts from climate change. However, as the proposed rule currently stands, it does not go far enough to protect our communities and climate, and I urge the EPA to strengthen its commitment to cutting the oil and gas industry's methane pollution.
Specifically, the EPA can further reduce methane emissions in 2 ways: by requiring more routine and frequent leak monitoring, without exemptions, and by eliminating routine flaring. There are too many loopholes that allow the fossil fuel industry to evade monitoring and accountability, and leaks are one of the greatest sources of methane emissions. Additionally, flaring -- where gas is burned off as a waste product rather than capturing it -- is dangerous and a major source of pollution for local communities that live near oil and gas operations.
Cutting methane emissions is a critical and efficient way to rapidly make climate progress and protect our communities, and the US can lead the way. Reducing methane pollution by 65% by 2025 is not only necessary, but it's achievable with existing technologies. I urge the EPA to help reach this target and build on its methane pollution work with these key improvements.
Sincerely,
[your name]
