STATEMENT: Texas sues to block EPA methane pollution standards

State not acting in best interests of Texans

AUSTIN, Texas  — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday to block the implementation of a new rule seeking to cut methane pollution from oil and gas. The rules require oil and gas companies to monitor their equipment for methane leaks and phase out heavily polluting equipment and routine flaring of natural gas. The EPA projects the rule will cut methane pollution in the U.S. by 80%, avoiding an estimated 58 million tons of methane emissions from 2024 to 2038. 

In response, several Texas non-profit leaders released the following statements:

Luke Metzger, Environment Texas Research and Policy Center: 

“Texas is burning right now due to climate change-influenced wildfires. The science is clear that we must dramatically reduce global warming pollution to avoid more catastrophes such as wildfires, drought and extreme heat. This lawsuit just adds fuel to the fire. It’s incredibly disappointing, albeit not surprising, that rather than work to reduce pollution, the state of Texas is actively fighting efforts to do so. Even many in the oil and gas industry and a strong majority of Texans support this rule. We have the technology to dramatically, and cost-effectively, cut pollution. Why on earth wouldn’t we use it? This lawsuit is out of step with climate science, technology and the people of Texas.” 

Bee Moorhead, Texas Impact: 

“Reducing preventable methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by stopping leaks and ending flaring is a common sense way to improve our air quality and limit the future effects of climate change. As Texans of faith, we support the EPA in issuing strong rules against methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.”

Becca Edwards, Texas Interfaith Power and Light: 

“Requiring the oil and gas industry to reduce climate-harming methane emissions by stopping leaks and ending flaring is a common sense way to improve our air quality and limit the future impacts of climate change. Texans of faith support the new EPA methane rules because reducing methane emissions promotes a safe and healthy environment for all of us.”