Proposed methane limits good, but do little to staunch climate impacts of fossil fuels
Media Contacts
Environment America
WASHINGTON, DC – Today the Obama administration announced a draft rule to limit methane emissions from some 100,000 fracking and drilling wells on public lands. Methane, a climate-warming pollutant many times more potent than carbon dioxide, makes up about a tenth of U.S. global warming pollution.
Anna Aurilio, director of Environment America’s Global Warming Solutions program, issued this statement:
“This week we learned that 2015 was by far the hottest ever in recorded history, underscoring the need for urgent and bold climate action. Today’s announcement meets the timely test, but misses the mark on ‘bold.’
“Limiting air pollution from fossil fuel development on our public lands is important, but it does little to staunch the climate impact of rampant drilling and fracking. Curbing methane is a bandage, not a cure for the climate crisis.
“To avoid dangerous global warming, scientists say we must keep most of our fossil fuels safely in the ground. We were delighted to see the president start down this path last week when he announced a moratorium on new coal leases on our public lands. He should continue down this road by stopping new fracking and drilling on our public lands and in our oceans.”
