EDF Praises Western Governors’ Recognition of Need to Reduce Methane Emissions

(LAS VEGAS) The Western Governors Association, representing governors from 19 western states, passed a resolution today that recognizes the need to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas methane from oil and gas operations.

“The western region is a major center of domestic oil and gas production and this resolution, from the region’s top leaders, signals that states are recognizing the environmental and economic importance of reducing oil and gas methane emissions,” said Dan Grossman, EDF’s Rocky Mountain Regional Director.

Grossman added, “More must be done to ensure strong methane actions are implemented evenly across the country. This resolution serves as yet another sign that methane action is critical to address climate change and reap the maximum economic benefits of our natural resources.”

This WGA resolution follows nationally leading efforts in Colorado, the first state in the nation to directly regulate methane, California also recently passed legislation to reduce leaks from aging natural gas pipelines, and Wyoming is currently considering new leak detection requirements in the Upper Green River Basin. With this resolution WGA joins ongoing efforts from the National Governors Association’s Policy Forum on Responsible Shale Development and the Environmental Council of the States’ Shale Gas Caucus in recognizing the need for multistate efforts to combat methane pollution.