Washington, DC—Today the United States Senate voted against repeal of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) methane waste reduction rule under the Congressional Review Act. This rule, which has wide public support, aims to limit venting, flaring, and leaking of methane during oil and gas production on public and tribal lands. The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ Executive Director, Katie Huffling, MS, RN, CNM issued the following statement:
“We applaud the Senate in putting the health of Americans first by rejecting efforts to eliminate the BLM methane waste reduction rule. The BLM methane rule not only helps to mitigate climate change and its associated health risks by limiting emissions of methane – a potent greenhouse gas – but also creates common sense safeguards by limiting emissions of toxic and carcinogenic air pollutants, benefiting public health in communities across the country.”
“The venting, flaring, and leaking of methane during oil and gas operations contributes to worsened air quality leading to adverse health outcomes, such as asthma attacks in children, hospital admissions, and premature deaths. The BLM rule is an important step forward in ensuring clean air and health protections for all.”
“The Alliance of Nurses of Healthy Environments thanks all Senators who demonstrated leadership today to protect public health by upholding the BLM methane rule. We will continue to resist efforts to roll back environmental and health protections”
Contact:
Cara Cook, MS, RN, AHN-BC
Climate Change Program Coordinator
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
585.469.2383
cara@enviRN.org
