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Tell Gov. Shapiro:

No Time To Delay on Methane

Last December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that would significantly reduce methane pollution from new and existing oil and gas wells across the country. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is over 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide over 20 years, and a substantial amount leaks from oil and gas infrastructure. States are now tasked with updating their oil and gas industry air quality standards to align with these EPA standards. This would be done through a process called a State Implementation Plan (SIP).

The EPA methane rule is important because it tackles a range of new and existing pollution sources, including gas wells and compressor stations - facilities used to pressurize the gas and transport it through pipelines. Notably, the rule will require enhanced monitoring for leaks from wells regardless of the size, use of certain zero-emission devices, elimination of routine flaring at large wells, and the creation of a Super Emitter Program, which would respond to large methane leaks.

Pennsylvania needs to finalize a strong SIP to comply with the EPA requirements. For example, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will need to create standards for the flaring of associated gas from oil production and update existing requirements for storage tanks. The Department should go further than what the EPA rule requires to include instrument-based monitoring at all well sites. The EPA currently only applies that standard to the largest sites. The DEP will also need to make sure it is supplementing the EPA’s Super Emitter Program by connecting impacted residents with necessary resources and expertise.

States have up to two years to submit the SIP, but the DEP should try to submit it as soon as possible.

Tell Governor Shapiro today that you want a strong methane rule SIP for Pennsylvania.

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sdrobinson@pa.gov

Subject: Please Support a Strong Methane Rule SIP

Message:

Please develop a strong State Implementation Plan (SIP) so that Pennsylvanians can reap the public health, economic, and environmental benefits of the EPA methane rule. The rule, finalized in December of 2023, would drastically reduce air pollution from oil and gas infrastructure, creating jobs in the methane mitigation industry and improving air quality and public health. Oil and gas infrastructure is known to be highly polluting, emitting significant amounts of pollutants including methane – a potent climate-warming greenhouse gas – and volatile organic compounds. To reduce this pollution, the EPA rule will require monitoring for leaks from wells regardless of size, use of zero-emission process controller devices, elimination of routine flaring at large wells, and creation of a Super Emitter Program. This is a huge step forward in protecting health and the environment, but Pennsylvania can do more. Please develop a strong SIP that addresses the concerns of Pennsylvania residents living near gas operations by doing the following: - Require quarterly instrument-based leak monitoring at all well sites that are not considered complex; - Include separators – which separate gaseous and liquid components of oil and gas well streams – in the definition of complex well sites, and hold them to monthly instrument-based inspections; - Ensure quick repair timelines for detected leaks to reduce immediate harms to public health, safety, and the environment; - Supplement EPA’s Super Emitter Program by engaging with and connecting impacted residents with necessary methane monitoring and health resources and expertise to better protect public health; - Create protective standards against flaring of associated gas for wells of all sizes that requires thorough proof that other options are infeasible before flaring is allowed; - Submit the SIP proposal as soon as possible, before the 2-year deadline of March 8, 2026. Please support the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in creating a SIP that builds upon the baseline that EPA established with its methane rule. A strong PA SIP can realize and likely surpass the health and environmental benefits of the EPA methane rule, demonstrating strong Pennsylvania climate and public health leadership. Thank you.

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Tell Gov. Shapiro:

No Time To Delay on Methane

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