Take action: Help reduce harmful methane
pollution in Wyoming
Wasteful methane pollution harms the environment, degrades Wyoming’s air quality, and squanders valuable natural gas. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized new standards to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations, and Wyoming is now working to implement these rules. It’s crucial that Wyomingites show their strong support for a state implementation plan to reduce methane emissions.
WYOMING’S METHANE
WASTE PROBLEM—AND
HOW WE CAN FIX IT
Waste methane emissions from oil and gas operations contribute to climate change, harm our air quality, and substantially impact Wyoming’s economy. Between $51 million and $96 million of methane is vented and flared annually in Wyoming. Millions more are lost due to leaks from faulty oil and gas equipment. This amounts to more than $16 million lost in annual royalty payments to the state. That’s not all — alongside methane, oil and gas operations release ozone-forming pollutants that worsen respiratory diseases and expose those living closest to oilfield development to cancer-causing chemicals. If action isn’t taken, increasing oil and gas production will lead to even higher pollution levels.
Fortunately, this past December, the EPA finalized new clean air standards that will reduce tens of millions of tons of climate-damaging methane and other toxic, smog-forming pollution from oil and gas leaks, venting, and flaring — strengthening vital climate and health protections for communities living near oil and gas operations.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is now working to implement a state plan to reduce waste methane emissions and comply with new national standards. While good work has been done in the Upper Green River Basin, new data suggests that methane emissions are still too high in Wyoming. The DEQ’s new common-sense rules will do a lot to help — while also benefiting taxpayers, promoting new cost-effective technologies, and keeping Wyoming competitive as consumers and energy markets demand cleaner energy sources.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP CURB WYOMING’S METHANE EMISSIONS?
As part of the rulemaking process, the DEQ is accepting public comment through their online comment portal until October 14.
Wyomingites understand the importance of conservation and preventing the needless waste of our natural resources. By showing your support for the state’s oil and gas methane rules, you can make a difference for Wyoming’s clean air and climate.
Consider including some of the suggested talking points below, but please personalize your comments and share why reducing methane pollution is important to you.
- I support Wyoming DEQ’s efforts to develop new rules under Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations in order to reduce harmful methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
- Methane emissions are a large contributor to climate change and are responsible for at least 25% of the warming the earth is experiencing. Reducing methane emissions will benefit taxpayers and protect our climate, while also building on the state’s progress toward reducing harmful pollutants.
- These new regulations will promote cost-effective technologies to prevent waste, making natural gas more economically competitive as consumers demand cleaner energy sources.
- Processes for capturing methane are very cost effective. Recent data from the International Energy Agency suggest that up to 45% of wasted methane emissions can be prevented at no net cost.
- The processes resulting from these new rules will help reduce other harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause respiratory damage and contribute to poor air quality.
- Close by thanking Wyoming DEQ’s Air Quality Division for considering your comments.
OTHER WAYS TO ACT
The DEQ will hold engagement sessions throughout October to inform the public about the development of the state plan. Additionally, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council will hold a hearing on the proposed rules and feedback from the public on October 23. If you support clean air in Wyoming, or live in a community affected by persistent poor air quality, consider attending one of these sessions and testifying in support of the new state plan.
SCHEDULE OF ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS:
October 4, 1-3 p.m. in Cheyenne
Laramie County Library, Cottonwood Room, 2200 Pioneer Ave.
October 14, 1-3 p.m. in Rock Springs
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Office, 280 US-191
October 15, 1-3 p.m. in Pinedale
Sublette County Public Library, 155 S. Tyler Ave.
October 16, 1-3 p.m. in Lander
Fremont County Public Library, 200 Amoretti S.
October 21, 1-3 p.m. in Douglas
Converse County Library, 300 Walnut St.
October 23, 1-3 p.m. in Gillette
City of Gillette City Hall, 201 E. 5th St.
October 25, 1-3 p.m. in Cody
City of Cody City Hall, 1338 Rumsey Ave.
October 31, 1-3 p.m. (Virtual Meeting, Register HERE)
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNCIL HEARING
October 23, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. in Cheyenne
2300 Capitol Ave., Hathaway Building, Room 127
If you’d like help submitting comments, attending the above meetings, or testifying in support of reducing harmful methane emissions, please reach out to us! Contact WOC program director Alec Underwood at alec@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org.
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