FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29th, 2019
Contact:
Cara Cook, Climate Change Program Coordinator, ANHE
585.469.2383
cara@envirn.org
Elimination of EPA’s Methane Rules Threatens Health
Washington, D.C. (August 29, 2019)— Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler proposed to eliminate direct regulation of methane from the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards. In response to this announcement the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ Executive Director, Katie Huffling, MS, RN, CNM issued the following statement:
“The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments strongly opposes the Trump Administration’s proposal released today. Eliminating EPA methane rules is a dangerous decision that puts the health of millions at risk from the damaging effects of air pollution and climate change.
“The oil and gas industry in the United States releases over 13 million metric tons of methane pollution every year, and with that many more dangerous air pollutants. At a time when the oil and gas industry is rapidly expanding and the urgency of climate change demands bold action, EPA cannot afford to be lax on standards that limit climate pollution from the nation’s hundreds of thousands of oil and gas facilities.
“Methane pollution poses a serious and immediate risk to the health of Americans and should be addressed with seriousness and urgency. EPA must act to protect communities and future generations by keeping strong federal methane standards in place.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to promote healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing policy.
