American Lung Association Strongly Opposes EPA's Proposal to Roll Back Methane Pollution Standards

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed reconsideration of the New Source Performance Standards that curb emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds from additional new, modified and reconstructed sources in the oil and gas industry, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer issued the following statement:

“From wildfires to severe storms, millions of Americans are threatened by climate change. The American public needs meaningful action on climate change now — not a weakening of standards for methane, one of the biggest contributors to the threat. Today’s proposal is yet another dangerous step in the wrong direction.

“Rolling back sensible safeguards to reduce methane pollution would also mean significant increases of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants linked to birth defects, asthma attacks, cancer and premature death. This is unacceptable. Without question, this rollback will result in harm to the health of Americans. We will strongly oppose this unsound and illogical rollback in order to safeguard public health.”