The U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will delay the deadline for oil and gas companies to meet new Clean Air Act pollution protections outlined in the 2024 EPA Supplemental Methane Rule. These pollution safeguards would cut wasteful methane emissions and reduce community exposure to toxic air pollution from oil and gas operations, including cancer-causing benzene and smog-forming volatile organic compounds that can cause and trigger asthma, especially in children. The announced delay will give industry an additional year to continue polluting without meeting the new safeguards.
In response, EEN President & CEO Dr. Rev. Jessica Moerman released the following statement:
"Instead of ‘making America healthy again,’ as promised by this administration, today’s decision by the EPA to delay protections against methane pollution will make American families sicker, poorer, and less safe. The families of frontline communities and energy workers will continue to face higher risk of asthma, cancer, and dementia, all from preventable air pollution from oil and gas methane leaks. The mission of the EPA is to lead our country to a healthier future. This delay takes us in the opposite direction."
