Pennsylvania Publishes Draft Plan for Cutting Methane at Existing Oil and Gas Sites
Statements from Environmental Defense Fund and Pennsylvania Environmental Council
(Harrisburg, Pa. – May 22, 2020) The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is publishing a draft rule to further reduce methane emissions from oil and gas facilities. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas emitted from thousands of well sites across Pennsylvania. Two years ago, the state addressed emissions from new oil and gas sources. This rule would be the first regulation to address emissions from the state’s existing infrastructure. The public will have 66 days to comment on the draft rule.
“Gov. Wolf has demonstrated clear leadership by moving this rulemaking forward. Our analysis found that Pennsylvania oil and gas operators emit more than one million tons of methane annually. Cutting methane pollution from existing oil and gas sources is critical to meeting our climate goals. The Department of Environmental Protection should strengthen the draft rule to address emissions from across the oil and gas supply chain – including low-producing wells that are responsible for half of all emissions statewide.”
- Dan Grossman, Senior Director of State Advocacy, Environmental Defense Fund
“Given that natural gas will remain a large part of Pennsylvania’s electric generation for the foreseeable future, we need to ensure that we don’t lose the progress we’ve made in reducing carbon emissions. One way that that can happen is through fugitive emissions from the gas supply chain. This rulemaking moves us closer to a sustainable and economically viable energy portfolio by holding producers to a reasonable standard that can be met at little or no cost to them.”
- Davitt Woodwell, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
Short-sighted Duke Energy Plan Recognizes Benefits of Solar and Battery Storage While Still Extending Outdated, Expensive Coal in North Carolina
October 1, 2025 -
Groups Challenge the Trump Administration’s Illegal Emergency Order for Eddystone Plant in Court
September 29, 2025 -
Trump Administration’s Subsidies for Costly Coal Saddle Families with High Bills, More Pollution
September 29, 2025 -
New York State’s $1 Billion Climate Investment Takes Critical Step Forward
September 25, 2025 -
Trump EPA Political Appointees Scrambled to Offer Free Pass to Pollute
September 25, 2025 -
New Map Highlights NOAA’s Nationwide Benefits Amid Budget Cut Threats
September 25, 2025