Urgent Call to Action: How the EPA’s Delay in Methane Regulation Threatens Climate and Public Health

Marybeth Collins

EPA’s Delay on Methane Rules Could Harm Climate and Health

In late July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a delay to the 2024 methane standards for oil and gas facilities. This “Delay Rule” pushes back key deadlines for leak checks and equipment improvements by up to 18 months. Critics warn that this move weakens protections during a time when methane emissions are already rising.

On September 2, the EPA held its only public hearing after implementing the rule. Many voices filled the room, including those from environmental groups, health organizations, Tribal representatives, and residents living near oil and gas operations. Grace Smith, an attorney from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), highlighted that the delay could worsen climate change and air pollution. Methane, she noted, is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide for a short time and is linked to a third of the current warming we see.

According to EDF, the rollback may lead to an additional 3.8 million tons of methane, nearly 1 million tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 36,000 tons of harmful air pollutants over the next decade.

Health experts raise alarms about methane leaks, noting they often accompany harmful VOCs. These compounds can lead to smog and serious health issues like respiratory illnesses and even cancer. Children are particularly affected; studies relate oil and gas pollution to around 500,000 missed school days annually due to asthma-related health concerns.

The original EPA standards aimed to cut methane emissions by 58 million tons by 2038, while also reducing VOCs and other toxins. Critics argue that delaying compliance denies communities better protections that are feasible and already being used by some operators.

Legal actions are already unfolding. Groups, led by EDF, have filed a lawsuit challenging the Delay Rule, claiming it breaches the Clean Air Act by skipping necessary public comment periods. Previous court rulings have overturned similar rules that ignored these procedures without urgent reasoning.

States like Colorado are not waiting. They’re implementing methane rules that meet or even exceed the EPA’s original standards. Industry giants like BP and Shell also support stricter regulations. They recognize that uncontrolled leaks not only harm the environment but also hurt investor confidence.

The outcome of the ongoing lawsuit will be significant. It may compel the EPA to revert to the original deadlines or defend its delay in court. Meanwhile, public concern grows. Delaying regulations could worsen climate challenges and public health risks while offering only minimal economic benefits.

For more details on these developments, check out the EPA’s official page on air quality regulations here.

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EPA methane rule, methane emissions, oil and gas pollution, volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, EDF lawsuit, Clean Air Act, public health impacts, climate change, regulatory delay