Rep. Yanira Gurrola House District 16 | Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
On March 25, 2021, a resolution was introduced in both the Senate and the House aiming to reinstate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2016 methane pollution safeguards. The resolution was presented by Senators Heinrich, King, Markey, and Majority Leader Schumer in the Senate, and by U.S. Representatives DeGette, Peters, and Lamb in the House.
The passage of this resolution is intended to prevent any future administration from removing standards on methane pollution from oil and gas operations. It also sets the stage for the Biden administration to further reduce methane emissions by targeting a 65 percent reduction below 2012 levels within five years.
Camilla Feibelman, director of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, expressed support for this action: “Methane is one of the most potent climate-heating gases, and cutting methane pollution is one of the most powerful solutions." She emphasized New Mexico's role in passing strong statewide reductions through its rulemaking process.
Erik Schlenker-Goodrich of the Western Environmental Law Center highlighted congressional efforts: “We appreciate congressional leadership taking action to uplift climate and environmental protection by reinstating well-reasoned Environmental Protection Agency methane pollution safeguards.” He described reinstating these safeguards as essential for reducing oil and gas methane emissions by 2025 while transitioning towards renewable energy.
Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Mahyar Sorour commended Congressional leaders for their commitment: “We applaud these Congressional champions for their steadfast commitment to reducing methane pollution from oil and gas development." Sorour urged swift action from the Biden Administration to adopt comprehensive methane safeguards across all oil and gas sources.
