WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first-ever national standards for methane pollution in the oil and gas industry:
“Today’s announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency finalizing the first-ever national standards for dangerous methane pollution for new drilling is an important step toward improving public health and tackling the threat of climate change. Pound for pound, methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is one of the worst offenders when it comes to contributing to the global warming that threatens Oregon’s economy and way of life.
“America must continue to demonstrate bold climate leadership following the historic Paris Agreement, and today’s announcement is an essential step towards taking strong action for combating the disastrous impacts of methane pollution from the oil and gas industry.
“While this rule covers new and modified sources, more work needs to be done. Existing gas infrastructure is leaking a tremendous amount of methane into the environment, and that needs to be remedied.”
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