Today the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it will create rulemakings to cut methane emissions from conventional and unconventional sources. Together with the nearly 50,000 pro-life Christians who have submitted comments to the DEP since 2024 asking for a strong state rule, we recognize the life-threatening danger methane pollution poses to our children and the urgent need for strong protective action. Methane, and other contaminants released with it, pose a great danger to the health of those who live, work, and go to school––including over 200,000 children––near oil and gas infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
In response to this announcement, Kim Anderson, EEN’s Director of Member Mobilization and Pennsylvania resident, issued the following statement:
“This announcement from the DEP comes as such a relief to the children and families of Pennsylvania who, for too long, have lived with the dangers of methane pollution. We thank Governor Shapiro and DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley for taking this action to defend our residents from the threat of poisons emitted from oil and gas production, distribution, and transportation, which include not only methane––which is a potent greenhouse gas––but also cancer-causing pollutants like benzene, VOCs, and other toxic chemicals. Soon enough, Pennsylvania’s children will be protected from these toxics related to respiratory and cardiovascular disease and a host of other health problems. Methane is also associated with the extreme weather and rising temperatures we are facing today, which have resulted in drastic increases in the number of Lyme disease and other vector-borne disease diagnoses across the commonwealth. I am glad to know that my children and their friends will be safer going forward.”
