Oil & Gas Lobby Tries to Slow Walk BLM Methane Rule, Puts American Families and Taxpayers at Risk
EDF Statement from Mark Brownstein, Vice President, U.S. Climate and Energy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today, the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry trade group, asked the Bureau of Land Management to postpone compliance dates for oil and gas companies to limit flaring, venting, and equipment leaks on public and tribal lands.
“Having lost in federal district court in Wyoming, and again last week in Congress, industry is wasting no time trying to find an alternative path to avoid implementing basic, long-overdue measures to reduce waste and protect public health. Americans strongly support these protections, and the rules as adopted already provide ample opportunities for the Secretary to grant flexibility to those wells and operators truly in need of it.
“Any changes to BLM’s safeguards to reduce waste must be made available to the public for comment before they are finalized, and must be based on sound evidence. BLM’s waste standards reflect proven, cost-effective best practices that are already being implemented by some leading companies and major energy-producing states, and are supported by a vast record reflecting years of public outreach and agency deliberation. We believe that there would be no valid basis for delaying these vital protections, and will defend vigorously against any effort to prevent them from being implemented.”
- Mark Brownstein, Vice President, U.S. Climate and Energy, Environmental Defense Fund
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Media Contact
Latest press releases
- September 23, 2024
-
Court Should Deny Shadow Docket Requests to Block Methane Pollution Limits
September 20, 2024 -
CFTC Guidance will Strengthen Voluntary Carbon Credits
September 20, 2024 -
Navajo Nation takes significant action to cut methane, assert tribal sovereignty
September 19, 2024 -
Houston-area High School Students Selected as Winners in Environmental Defense Fund Video Contest
September 16, 2024 -
New Bill Would Help Congress Better Understand Legislation’s Climate Impacts
September 12, 2024