Last year’s massive methane leak from a gas storage facility in Cambria County was a stark reminder of the air pollution risks from fracking and oil and gas drilling.

All told, it’s estimated that 1.29 billion cubic feet of harmful methane was released over 2 weeks into the surrounding community’s air, and our environment.

Yet this leak is only a symptom of an even larger problem in Pennsylvania.

Methane is a harmful global warming pollutant that is about 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time frame.

It’s estimated that oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania emit global warming pollution equal to more than 5 million cars.

These emissions are fueling the climate crisis and harming our health at the same time.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new protections that will cut these harmful methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

This rule is a great step forward, but it can (and must) be stronger.

Specifically, EPA’s proposal can be strengthened by eliminating pollution from the practice of routine venting and flaring, the release of unignited or ignited gas, which emits vast amounts of dangerous methane into our air.

The EPA’s new proposed protections could help us tackle climate change, protect our health, and build a safer and stronger commonwealth.

Pennsylvanians can make their voices heard by submitting a public comment to the EPA through Feb. 13, 2023 at bit.ly/PAEmethane.

Ellie Kerns

Penn Environment

Pittsburgh