On Thursday, a resolution was introduced in both the Senate and the House to reinstate the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016 methane pollution safeguards. Senators Heinrich, King, Markey, and Majority Leader Schumer presented the resolution in the Senate. In the House, Representatives DeGette, Peters, and Lamb took similar action.

The proposed resolution aims to prevent future administrations from removing standards on methane emissions from oil and gas operations. If passed, it would allow the Biden administration to further reduce methane pollution by 65 percent below 2012 levels over five years.

Camilla Feibelman of Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter stated: “Methane is one of the most potent climate-heating gases, and cutting methane pollution is one of the most powerful solutions, so this is a needed and meaningful action by Sen. Heinrich and others.” She also emphasized New Mexico's role in enacting strong statewide reductions.

Erik Schlenker-Goodrich from the Western Environmental Law Center commented: “We appreciate congressional leadership taking action to uplift climate and environmental protection by reinstating well-reasoned Environmental Protection Agency methane pollution safeguards.” He views this as a step towards reducing oil and gas methane emissions by 2025 while transitioning to renewable energy.

Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Mahyar Sorour added: “We applaud these Congressional champions for their steadfast commitment to reducing methane pollution from oil and gas development... We urge the Biden Administration to follow suit and adopt newly aggressive methane safeguards for all oil and gas sources.”

The move highlights efforts to prioritize public health, frontline communities, and climate protection through legislative action on environmental issues.