On Thursday, June 5th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent a proposal to the White House that would delay the implementation of the 2024 EPA methane rule, offering oil and gas companies an extension on compliance deadlines.

In response, Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, the President and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, issued the following statement:

“As evangelicals, we believe that all human life is sacred and worthy of protection. This includes the 17 million Americans who live, work, or go to school near oil and gas facilities and are exposed to hazardous and cancer-causing pollutants from leaking infrastructure. Health-harming leaks are preventable with diligent monitoring and other standards and practices outlined in the EPA’s recent Clean Air Act methane pollution rule. We are greatly disappointed, therefore, that the EPA has moved to push back the date when operators must put these critical pollution safeguards in place. Like President Trump, we want America to have the cleanest air, crystal clear water, and the healthiest people. Delaying the Clean Air Act methane pollution rule leads to just the opposite. This delay sanctions more years of contaminated air and preventable risk to the health of millions of Americans, including our energy workers and their families.”