Statement of Lauren Pagel Earthworks Policy Director On the Obama Administration’s Methane Strategy
Earthworks
March 28, 2014
"We applaud the White House for taking a first step to curb methane emissions, a climate pollutant that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
The administration must follow Colorado’s lead and require the Environmental Protection Agency to directly regulate methane pollution from hydraulic fracturing and related drilling. The consequences, both globally and locally, are too dire to allow for self regulation.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the downsides of fracking-enabled oil and gas development, so far the Obama administration has had its head in the sand. We hope that this plan signals a shift for this administration, putting their words into actions to limit the harms from oil and gas production.
But, no matter how stringent the methane pollution controls, they are no substitute for dropping dirty fossil fuels like fracked gas and replacing them with truly clean alternatives like conservation and renewables.
The President can't have it both ways. He can fight climate change, or he can promote fracking and unconventional oil and gas production. He can’t do both."
For more information:
- Lauren Pagel, 202-887-1872 x107, lpagel@earthworksaction.org
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