“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

As evangelicals committed to defending the life and health of every child, the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) celebrates today’s announcement from the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding an updated Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) leak detection rule.

With over 2.6 million miles of pipelines in the U.S.–enough to circle the earth 100 times–pipeline leaks and safety are issues we cannot afford to ignore. We are grateful to the DOT and PHMSA for their work on publishing this rule that will cut down on dangerous and wasteful methane emissions from pipelines with stronger safeguards.

In response to the DOT’s announcement, EEN Director of Member Mobilization Kim Anderson released the following statement:

“This rule focuses on the health and safety of millions of Americans who live near natural gas pipelines. Leaks pose a considerable safety risk to communities because they can cause explosions, property damage, and injury or death to those living near them. Pipeline leaks near homes, schools, and businesses also expose nearby residents to harmful pollution, putting our children–whose hearts, minds, and lungs are more vulnerable and still developing–at particular risk. In the United States, there are over 2.6 million miles of pipelines, and the average age of the infrastructure is 40-50 years old. Current standards only require operators to fix pipeline leaks if they pose an immediate safety hazard. This has left many pipelines unmonitored and not subject to inspection. 2023 was the deadliest year in decades for gas pipeline incidents, but with today’s new pipeline safeguards, our children have a greater hope for the clean and healthy future they deserve. PHMSA’s updated leak detection safeguards will improve our ability to find leaks and ensure timely repair. This will increase safety and decrease health risks by cutting methane and associated pollutants. The time is now to ensure our children are healthy and safe in 2025 and beyond.”