Please join us September 23 in Denver to help reduce dangerous methane pollution and toxic air emissions from the Oil & Gas industry! The EPA has recently proposed first-ever federal rules to reduce methane pollution, which contributes significantly to climate change, and they are conducting a public hearing to get your comments.

If you wish to speak at the hearing, you need to pre-register at epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/registration.html.  Comments are limited to 5 minutes.

WHAT: EPA public hearing on proposed regulations to cut down on methane pollution from the oil and gas industry

WHERE: Meet at the Alliance Center (across from the EPA regional HQ) 1536 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80202: coffee provided at check-in

WHEN: 12:00 Noon rally, then provide comment at your registered time (pre-register here)

WHY: The climate-harming methane pollution released annually by the oil and gas industry has the climate-disrupting impact of more than 160 coal-burning power plants! EPA’s proposed methane standards are an important step in addressing climate pollution as well as protecting the health and safety of communities and workers, but they won’t take bold action without pressure from the public — that means clean air supporters like you.

Methane pollution poses a significant threat to public health and is a potent contributor to climate change.  Here in Colorado we passed the strongest methane regulations in the country in 2014 and this is an opportunity to ensure that the oil and gas industry can’t dump climate-warming methane pollution and other harmful emissions into the air without limit in other places across the country.  We know that fracking cannot be made safe, but that strong rules will provide protections that are not in place now for public health and the climate.

The EPA has announced the first-ever federal methane pollution standards for new and modified oil and gas development facilities. If finalized, this safeguard would considerably reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. Without these protections in place, the EPA estimates that emissions could increase by as much as 25 percent over the next decade. For communities living with oil and gas development, a strong rule is needed to keep toxic volatile organic compounds pollution, like benzene, a known carcinogen, out of the air they breathe.