Complete list of press releases

(Mexico City) The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently held its Forum on Green Finance and Investment, which gathers key public and private leaders to discuss green and sustainable finance issues.

“Mobilizing green finance and investment on the scale needed with the measurable impact on planetary health in the next decade, is both a remedy and a catalyst for action.

Although the ‘scale of necessary green financing’ is daunting, the opportunity to rebuild better is triggering a new wave of financial and policy innovation that can inspire and help bring together the powerful coalitions needed to drive effective action on climate change, ocean health and other global environmental challenges. We need action that leads to just, inclusive and sustainable development.

Since its establishment in 1967, EDF has recognized the importance of economic incentives to drive environmental progress. We also help build the unexpected coalitions we need to channel the tools of science and economics and harness the power of markets, technology innovation and community action. In recent years, markets have seen a significant increase in green finance and investment. We have also seen the creation of new principles, guidelines and standards for sustainable investment in a range of sectors or themes, and a necessary development of new economic models that can better support just and equitable outcomes.

The opportunity exists now to connect investment guidance and these models to create greater clarity, transparency and a taxonomy for green finance and investment. We must not only grow these funds consistent with the magnitude of the global challenges we face, but also ensure measurable social and environmental benefits. We consider this indispensable to increasing the scale and effectiveness of green as well as blue finance.

EDF will continue to work on policy and economic instruments that will help accelerate greener investments. We look forward to working with the OECD and our partners in the private sector, government and civil society to enhance transparency on green and blue finance streams to ensure a sustainable, equitable and resilient post-pandemic recovery.”

• Sergio Sanchez, Senior Policy Director, Global Clean Air

“We are disappointed, and deeply concerned, with today’s ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming vacating the Department of Interior’s 2016 Waste Prevention Rule.

“The court recognized the Department of the Interior’s clear authority to prevent harmful natural gas waste and that the measures the department adopted in 2016 would indeed cut waste. Nonetheless, it found the Waste Prevention Rule was unlawful based on its additional air quality benefits for tribal and Western communities.

“Today’s opinion reflects the Trump administration’s decision to cease defending the Waste Prevention Rule and instead attack it in this litigation. The opinion is also in great tension with another recent federal court opinion, which underscored the Department of the Interior’s solemn responsibility to prevent waste in a manner that protects the public interest.

“Waste of natural gas on public and tribal lands is a well-documented problem, costing taxpayers and tribes millions of dollars each year. Vacating the Waste Prevention Rule will harm tribal and Western communities by increasing the waste of natural gas and reducing revenues that these communities could otherwise use to fund roads and invest in schools and much-needed health care programs. This ruling is deeply troubling in light of the Department of the Interior’s clear responsibility to prevent the waste of public resources in a manner that safeguards public interests.

“We are evaluating all of our options to ensure the critical safeguards in the Waste Prevention Rule remain in place to confer these urgently needed benefits.”

· Peter Zalzal, lead attorney for Environmental Defense Fund

Background

The Department of Interior’s Waste Prevention Rule require oil and gas companies operating on federal and tribal lands to take common sense measures to reduce preventable leaks and needless flaring of natural gas. Between 2009 and 2015, those companies wasted enough natural gas to supply more than 6.2 million homes for an entire year. EDF calculated the ongoing value of this wasted natural gas to be over 2.5 billion dollars.

Natural gas that is wasted through leaks, venting, or flaring also allows large amounts of unhealthy pollution into our air – including methane, which is a potent driver of climate change.

The Trump administration had repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to suspend and rescind the Waste Prevention Rule in both Congress and the courts — efforts that were struck down as unlawful.

The Waste Prevention Rule were then challenged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming by the Attorneys General of Wyoming and Montana, North Dakota and Texas, and by oil and gas industry groups Western Energy Alliance (WEA) and Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

The states of California and New Mexico and a group of 15 national, regional, tribal and local public health and environmental groups – including EDF – defended the rule in court.

You can find more information – including all legal documents – on EDF’s website.

(Washington, D.C. – October 8, 2020) A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear oral argument this morning in legal challenges to the Trump EPA’s repeal and replacement of America’s Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan established our only nationwide limits on carbon pollution from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants – one of the United States’ largest sources of the pollution that causes climate change. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler scrapped the Clean Power Plan and issued in its place the misleadingly named Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which establishes no meaningful limits on carbon pollution, and would actually increase pollution at nearly one in five of the nation’s coal-fired power plants. Two-thirds of those plants are located in low-income or minority communities that are disproportionately burdened by air pollution.

EDF is part of a broad coalition of 14 health and environmental groups, 23 states and eight cities, nine power companies, and three clean energy associations that filed suit shortly after the ACE rule was finalized last year.

“”The Trump Administration’s decision to scrap the Clean Power Plan and issue a wholly inadequate replacement leaves Americans with no meaningful protection against the massive quantities of climate pollution from fossil fuel power plants – at a time when communities across America are suffering from wildfires, intense hurricanes, sea level rise, and other devastating impacts of climate change,” said EDF Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Policy Tomás Carbonell. “We are asking the court to strike down this unlawful and unjustified attack on our climate and public health, and to require the agency to fulfill its responsibility under the Clean Air Act to protect the public from harmful pollution.”

Oral argument will begins at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time. The D.C. Circuit will live stream the proceedings here.

(SACRAMENTO, CA – Oct. 7, 2020) California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order today setting a goal to conserve 30% of the state’s land and coastal waters.

“EDF applauds Gov. Newsom’s executive order to conserve 30% of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030.

The governor’s order is noteworthy for reflecting the interconnected biodiversity, climate, economic and racial equity crises we are facing today. It is heartening that Gov. Newsom recognizes the need to accelerate the pace and scale of environmental restoration and land management efforts to address these crises.

We are pleased to see the governor recognizes the critical role that working lands can play in reducing emissions, supporting regional biodiversity, and building a resilient economy and food system, which serves populations well beyond California’s borders. We also appreciate the governor’s emphasis on expanding equitable access to the outdoors and recreation, which the pandemic has elevated even further in importance to our physical and mental well-being.”

• Eric Holst, Associate Vice President, Working Lands, Environmental Defense Fund

“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he still plans to proceed with the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court prior to the November 3^rd election. We urge all Senators, in accordance with their duty to the American people under the U.S. Constitution, to take the time needed before casting a vote to closely examine whether Judge Barrett respects the bedrock judicial precedents and statutes that protect public health and the environment for all Americans.

“When it comes to any nominee to the high Court, we ask whether the nominee, if confirmed, respects the congressional enactments and foundational legal precedents that make up our nation’s public health and environmental laws. Judge Barrett’s record warrants close scrutiny for adherence to central tenets of environmental law.

“People threatened or injured by public health and environmental harms depend on access to the courts to redress those harms. This is a pillar of the American justice system, and we recommend Senators and the public carefully review Judge Barrett’s position on it. Judge Barrett has ruled in several recent cases that plaintiffs lack standing to redress injuries. See, for example: Casillas v. Madison Ave. Assoc., 926 F.3d 329 (7^th Cir. 2019) (held consumer lacked standing to challenge a debt collector’s failure to adhere to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act); and Protect Our Parks, Inc. v. Chicago Park District, 971 F.3d 722 (7^th Cir. 2020) (held residents alleging violations of state public trust doctrine lacked standing to sue on that claim in a case where all parties agreed standing was not an issue). The Senate should thoroughly evaluate Judge Barrett’s views on people’s access to the courts in public health and environmental cases.

“Judge Barrett’s commitment to precedent also warrants careful review. Under the fundamental judicial doctrine of stare decisis, judges are bound by precedent. More than thirteen years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed EPA’s responsibility under existing statutory law to interpret the ‘capacious’ term ‘air pollutant’ to include climate pollution (Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 2007). This precedent and other pillars of U.S. environmental law must be respected to ensure our nation’s laws continue to protect Americans’ health and well-being. The Senators must determine whether Judge Barrett has demonstrated such respect. See, for example: Groves v. United States, 941 F.3d 315 (7^th Cir 2019) (overruling precedent allowing district courts to enlarge deadline for filing interlocutory appeals); and Amy Coney Barrett, Originalism and Stare Decisis, 92 Notre Dame L. Rev. 1921 (2017).

“Judge Barrett’s academic career and short tenure on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit do not fully illuminate her views about environmental law and related areas of public law. Will she respect Congress’s and state and local governments’ powers to protect public health and welfare through legislation, including by authorizing administrative agencies with the expertise to implement these safeguards effectively? Does she respect the role of administrative agencies’ scientific and technical expertise in administering federal law? Does she agree with the scientific consensus that human-caused climate change is causing extreme danger to public health and welfare?

“It is the responsibility of each Senator to carefully examine and weigh these vital questions if this nomination is considered.”

• Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund

“JP Morgan’s Paris based lending commitment is a signal of change and a stride forward for the bank.

“By embracing net zero as the new business imperative, the firm can help companies across carbon intensive industries de-carbonize our economy. It’s another example of the private sector’s resolve to act on climate, adding to more than 1,500 leading companies that have made net zero commitments.

“The bank’s move signals that Wall Street is waking up to the financial risks and opportunities of climate change– in part due to growing pressure from investors, employees and advocates. As the world’s largest financier of the fossil fuel industry commits to align financing to the Paris Agreement goals, the road is clear for other banks and asset managers to raise their climate ambition.

“The strength of any climate pledge depends on putting a timely and transparent plan in place to achieve it. The world needs action now. JP Morgan should establish sector specific expectations – including ambitious near term targets that are Paris-aligned – and make access to capital contingent on corporate climate performance.

“Financial firms like JP Morgan must use their leverage to support public policies that accelerate innovation and manage systemic climate risk. Companies that block climate policy directly or through trade associations do not belong in a climate friendly loan book.”

• Colin Leyden, Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

(Washington, D.C. – October 1, 2020) The Trump EPA today finalized a loophole in the laws protecting Americans from hazardous industrial pollution, leaving millions of people more vulnerable to benzene, mercury and other dangerous or cancer-causing pollutants.

The loophole would allow thousands of large industrial facilities that are currently regulated as “major” sources to opt out of protective standards for hazardous air pollutants – undermining the permanent reductions in pollution that these essential Clean Air Act protections are intended to achieve. Many of the facilities that could increase pollution under the loophole are in low-income communities and communities of color. They are already suffering disproportionate burdens from more air pollution and are the most vulnerable to the health impacts of poor air quality.

“EPA’s reckless decision to allow large sources of dangerous pollution to pollute even more – and in the midst of a pandemic that has already claimed more than 200,000 American lives – undermines the Clean Air Act and endangers the health of communities nationwide,” said Tomás Carbonell, lead attorney for Environmental Defense Fund. “This rollback of vital health protections is as unlawful as it is outrageous, and we will make every effort to oppose it.”

Under the Clean Air Act, large industrial facilities must comply with “maximum achievable control technology” standards (MACT standards) if their emissions of hazardous air pollutants exceed “major source” thresholds. The MACT standards apply to 187 dangerous and cancer-causing pollutants, and are so effective in reducing air pollution that they often cause industrial facilities to fall well below the thresholds. For that reason, EPA interpreted the Clean Air Act in 1995 to require major industrial facilities to comply with MACT standards for as long as they operate. That “once in, always in” interpretation remained in place for over twenty years.

The Air Toxics Loophole finalized today would allow any major pollution source to reclassify itself as a smaller “area source” if it emits below the major source threshold – even if it is only emitting below the threshold because it is complying with MACT standards. EPA’s own analysis of its proposed rule that was issued in July of last year projected that 3,912 industrial facilities nationwide, such as refineries and chemical plants, could take advantage of this loophole to avoid MACT standards and instead become subject to weaker standards – or no standards at all. EDF evaluated information provided by EPA in that proposal on almost 1,600 of those facilities located in 48 states, and found the potential for an increase of over 49 million pounds per year in toxic air pollution.

(WASHINGTON – Oct. 1, 2020) Yesterday the New England Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to improve data collection in the New England groundfish fishery. Amendment 23 will require 100% monitoring of groundfish trips for the next four years, provided that funding is made available to cover costs. In the absence of adequate funding, the fleet must maintain a minimum of 40% monitoring during the four-year period, after which the NEFMC will revisit the policy. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the policy is expected to come into effect in spring of 2021.

EDF has urged the council to adopt 100% monitoring. EDF has also supported the widespread uptake of electronic monitoring — a cost-effective, less cumbersome and more flexible alternative to human observers on vessels. The following is a statement from Eric Schwaab, senior vice president of EDF Oceans program:

“We are encouraged to see the council approve Amendment 23. Full monitoring of fishing activity is a key component of a sustainable, healthy and well-managed fishery. On the west coast, 100% monitoring has helped support remarkable improvements in groundfish recovery and sustainability, which is improving fishing opportunity. That’s why we’ve advocated for 100% monitoring for the New England groundfish fishery. It is an important step to similar recovery of stocks in the region.

“Despite the progress made in Amendment 23, the cost issue remains an impediment to unequivocal 100% monitoring required to collect reliable and sufficient data on landings and discards. Further investments will be needed to bring monitoring to the target level and keep it there.

“Broader use of electronic monitoring presents a great opportunity to cost-effectively meet monitoring needs while reducing public and private cost burdens. Electronic monitoring has been piloted in New England and its expanded use should be a cornerstone of effective monitoring going forward.

“EDF supports approval of this important amendment by the Secretary of Commerce and will continue to work with members of Congress to allocate the necessary resources.”

(WASHINGTON, DC — Oct. 1, 2020) The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis will hold a hearing today titled, “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Strengthening the U.S. Financial System and Expanding Economic Opportunity.”

Environmental Defense Fund director of working lands, Maggie Monast, will testify on the financial risks that climate change poses to America’s agriculture sector, and share findings and recommendations from her report, Financing Resilient Agriculture: How Agricultural Lenders Can Reduce Climate Risk and Help Farmers Build Resilience.

“Farmers are on the front lines of climate change. In 2020 alone, we have seen ample evidence of these impacts, including destructive storms in the Midwest, hurricanes along our coasts, and wildfires and smoke in the West.

“Given the increasing severity and frequency of weather events projected to continue affecting farmers across the country, a major shift in the agricultural finance sector’s approach to climate risk and resilience is long overdue. I encourage policymakers to act quickly to help American farmers and the institutions that finance them secure a more productive and profitable future.”

• Maggie Monast, Director, Working Lands

(WASHINGTON – October 1, 2020) On the heels of Climate Week, Environmental Defense Fund today unveiled the Climate Authenticity Meter, a new tool that rates how companies and industry groups’ lobbying activities support or obstruct progress on climate policy.

Despite unprecedented public health, social justice and economic challenges, leading companies continue to set net-zero emissions goals and invest in low-carbon strategies and innovations. While these actions are critical, they are not enough to bend the curve on global emissions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Only well-designed public policy can deliver emissions reductions at the speed and scale needed to limit the worst impacts of climate change, while promoting equity, protecting communities and ensuring a thriving economy.

“Corporate climate leadership must include using the most powerful tool that companies have to fight climate change: their political influence,” said Victoria Mills, managing director of EDF+Business, Environmental Defense Fund’s corporate engagement program. “With net zero as the new business imperative, companies and investors need to get off the sidelines and champion the public policies required to build a better, more sustainable and more equitable future.”

The Climate Authenticity Meter is the first-ever tool that ranks corporate policy actions in real-time, based on whether they support or obstruct progress on climate policy. The Meter complements the in-depth research conducted by groups such as InfluenceMap and the Center for Political Accountability. It assesses corporate political actions using the AAA Framework for Climate Policy Leadership, which is endorsed by 10 leading environmental and sustainable business organizations that work with companies.

Included in the inaugural set of Climate Authenticity Meter ratings – and a preview of EDF’s assessments – are

Highly supportive actions:

• The CEO Climate Dialogue met with lawmakers in September to advocate for climate policy. Making climate policy a CEO-level priority and meeting directly with lawmakers clearly supports progress on climate policy
• More than 30 major companies called on policymakers this summer to support clean energy provisions in COVID-19 recovery spending. By urging lawmakers to prioritize support for clean energy in COVID recovery packages, these companies are supporting progress on climate policy, focusing on where they can have the greatest impact in the current moment.

Supportive actions:

• The Business Roundtable released its climate policy statement, a big step in the right direction for a group of its size and influence. So far, however, it’s just a statement – a promise to lead. Time will tell if the BRT and its members follow through with the advocacy required to move climate policy forward.
• VF Corp, Brown-Forman Corp. and Simon Property Group, Inc.’s agreed to fully disclose their political spending, setting a new norm for transparency that other companies should follow. The next step for these companies and others is to follow disclosure with advocacy that advances climate policy.

Obstructive actions:

• The vast majority of companies that remain silent on climate policy or that let their trade associations advocate on their behalf. As the report card notes, inaction obstructs climate policy because it implies consent to the status quo, and “effectively endorses the anti-climate advocacy agenda of powerful industry groups.”

Highly obstructive actions:

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce earned two “highly obstructs” ratings. Although the Chamber claims to support “an approach that rises to the challenge of climate change,” the group has joined the Trump Administration’s attack on state authority to set vehicle emission standards, which are essential for reducing air pollution and protecting public health.  
• The Chamber’s second “highly obstructs” rating is due to its support for limiting access environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds, a move that would make it much harder for fiduciaries to factor in climate change risks into their investment decisions.

“Investors are increasingly urging businesses to take aggressive action address climate change. It is gratifying to see numerous big-name companies step up increasing disclosure and setting ambitious climate targets,” said Timothy Smith, Director of ESG Shareowner Engagement at Boston Trust Walden. “The problem is that most companies still aren’t using their voice and lobbying power, including that of their trade associations, to promote policies that will meaningfully reduce climate risk. The Climate Authenticity Meter is a much-needed tool for evaluating corporate leadership on climate change.”

(Houston – September 28, 2020) To streamline how the Houston region responds to hazardous air pollution, the city of Houston, Harris County and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), with support from Houston Endowment, are undertaking a $1.1 million effort to create an inventory of monitoring equipment across agencies, expand monitoring capability and identify the facilities that most threaten public health.

“The goal of this innovative collaboration is to reduce disaster risk and everyday air pollution by identifying and closely monitoring facilities that pose the greatest threats to public health and safety,” said Dr. Elena Craft, senior director for climate and health at EDF. “The Houston area has endured six chemical disasters too many in the past 18 months. This disturbing trend needs to end, especially as new threats like COVID-19 layer additional health burdens in communities already overwhelmed by pollution.”

The effort, which outlines multiple steps over an 18-month period that will improve the coordination of air quality monitoring and information sharing, was born after a rash of industrial fires and explosions, including at Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in Deer Park in March 2019, released harmful chemicals into the air in the Houston area. A Harris County-commissioned analysis of the ITC response found the need for more coordination and enhanced monitoring capabilities. The string of fires showed the gaps in the existing network of stationary monitors – gaps that are critically important for understanding the true community exposures that may result from these disasters.

“Residents in Harris County should never have to worry about the quality of the air they breathe or the environmental conditions in which they’re raising their families,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said. “For far too long, our county looked the other way when it came to making the necessary investments to keep up with industry and protect our region. Even with the ongoing threat of COVID-19 we’ll continue to build partnerships to make sure that we do everything to strengthen our environment and hold polluters accountable.”

Since the ITC fires, Harris County has invested more than $11 million to build a state-of-the-art air monitoring network, increased the size of the pollution control department more than 50 percent and added resources for HazMat first responders. The actions taken thus far represent the most significant enhancement of county environmental protections in at least 30 years.

By working together, the city and county can use their combined monitoring capabilities to identify facilities for additional inspections and increased oversight before a disaster occurs, Craft said. The partners also will develop best practices for effective use of monitoring resources and spot state-level deficiencies in enforcement.

“Instead of waiting on air quality complaints to come to us, this project puts us in a position to proactively look for facilities unlawfully releasing dangerous pollution into our communities,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Bad actors should be on notice. We now have more staff and equipment to identify facilities that use the cover of darkness and natural disasters as an opportunity to pollute. Houstonians have the right to breathe safe, clean air.”

The recent purchases by the city and Harris County are especially important because the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality houses its mobile monitoring units in Austin, making a quick deployment to Houston challenging when disasters occur.

The purchased instruments include the AROMA-VOC analyzer, designed by California-based Entanglement Technologies to provide rapid and precise information on public health risks for emergency responders and people living near oil refineries, chemical plants and other potential sources of toxic contamination.

“High quality data is critical to respond effectively to emergency situations involving chemical releases,” said Tony Miller, PhD, chief executive officer of Entanglement Technologies. “We have designed our technology to provide decision-makers and stakeholders with actionable data on the spot. Data is the key to determine what harm, if any, has been caused to surrounding communities and the environment.”

The project involves multiple agencies and departments from the city of Houston and Harris County.

The Houston Health Department, Harris County Pollution Control Services, and the city’s Bureau of Pollution Control will manage the monitoring campaigns, as well as the data collection and analysis to identify high-risk facilities. This project will include coordinated monitoring on nights and weekends, when many pollution events occur.

The offices of the Harris County District Attorney, Harris County Attorney, and Houston’s City Attorney will participate in advisory roles.

“We are so inspired to see the City of Houston and Harris County working together across communities to protect the health and safety of the people of greater Houston,” said Elizabeth Love, Senior Program Officer, Houston Endowment.

EDF is serving as lead organization in coordinating activities among all agencies related to the implementation of the project.

“We need government at all levels to do everything possible to protect Texans from industrial fires and explosions and preventable releases of harmful chemicals into the air,” Craft said. “The city of Houston and Harris County are showing tremendous leadership by joining forces to combat a problem that goes beyond jurisdictional boundaries. It is my hope that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will join them to ensure clean air, every day, for everyone in the region.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The following is a statement by Eric Schwaab, senior vice president at Environmental Defense Fund Oceans program, on the reintroduction of the AQUAA 2.0 Act.

“We appreciate the significant effort that has gone into the development of the AQUAA Act, S.4723. The bill introduced yesterday represents months of hard work, outreach to many stakeholders and progress relative to previous bills.

“While the bill addresses the issues surrounding offshore aquaculture, it lacks substantive standards regarding how to make decisions about those issues. In the absence of such standards that would ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of the burgeoning industry, the decisions would instead be left to agency discretion. Outstanding questions remain about important facets of offshore aquaculture development, necessitating additional science and information collection to lay the groundwork to determine how they should be addressed to build federal agency expertise and to ensure the long-term success of aquaculture in the United States. 

“We believe that the potential for sustainable, productive offshore aquaculture in the United States exists as part of a strong and diverse domestic seafood industry and a larger healthy ocean approach. We look forward to working with the aquaculture community, other conservation organizations, the fishing industry, policymakers, academia and others to move in that direction.”

(HARRISBURG, PA – September 24, 2020) In response to Governor Wolf’s veto of House Bill 2025, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Fund issued the following joint statement:

“The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Fund commend the Governor for vetoing House Bill 2025 and thank him and his Administration for their steadfast leadership to advance pollution limits for power plants. House Bill 2025 would have allowed the General Assembly, through mere inaction, to block any proposal by the Administration to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This includes, but would not have been limited to, draft rulemaking now under consideration for Pennsylvania to link with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a market-based platform that has, for over a decade, proven to both reduce emissions and further economic investment and growth.

“Despite acknowledgment that climate change presents a very real and immediate threat to Pennsylvania, there has been no action taken by the General Assembly to address it. Over a decade ago, the legislature passed a law requiring recurrent climate change impact assessments and policy recommendations be developed, and time and time again the calls generated through those reports – matched by scientists, businesses, the military, investors and more worldwide – have gone unheeded.

“While we encourage legislative engagement on this critical issue, the legislature must commit to action. This includes affirmative steps to reduce emissions, protect communities and public health, help workers, and strategically position Pennsylvania for the inevitable, net-zero energy future. The options and opportunities are there; the days of idleness should be behind us.”

(Denver, CO) Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) today unanimously adopted new rules to reduce harmful air and climate pollution from oil and gas operations across the state. Once in effect, the rules will require high-frequency monitoring for gas leaks starting when construction on a well begins and continuing through the first six months of production, a period of time not addressed by other monitoring standards.

The rules will also close emission loopholes in current federal standards by prohibiting natural gas venting during the early period of well completion. As other states seek to address pollution from the initial stages of oil and gas development, this move demonstrates the most comprehensive measures yet taken.

“In 2014, Colorado became the first state in the nation to tackle methane emissions during the production of oil and gas from wells across the state. Today, the AQCC continued that leadership by extending monitoring requirements to the pre-production phase and by prohibiting natural gas venting during completions when drilling activities can result in significant emissions of methane and other dangerous pollutants. These new rules mark continued progress in reducing the climate and health impacts of oil and gas operations in the state.” 
 

• Jon Goldstein, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Energy

Additional Background:

Colorado has a duty under state statute to meet science-based climate pollution reduction requirements by delineated deadlines and to address adverse pollution impacts on disproportionately impacted communities.

Colorado has failed to carry out its mandatory legal duty to propose implementing regulations by July 1, 2020. EDF urges Colorado to immediately carry out these crucial and overdue responsibilities as required by law to protect the health, environment, economy and well-being of all Coloradans.