Coalition Applauds Shapiro Administration for Launching Methane Rulemaking to Protect Pennsylvania's Health, Climate, and Communities

Methane flaring from a natural gas well in a Pennsylvania corn field.

HARRISBURG - A coalition of environmental, public health, and community organizations today applauded Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for announcing the start of rulemaking to reduce methane pollution from Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry.

The coalition thanks Governor Shapiro and DEP for taking an important step toward protecting public health and reducing one of the Commonwealth's largest sources of climate pollution.

As the nation's second-largest producer of natural gas, Pennsylvania has both an opportunity and a responsibility to protect public health, reduce climate pollution, and ensure clean air for communities across the Commonwealth. By developing strong methane standards that apply to all well sites, the state can significantly reduce methane emissions and the harmful air pollutants released alongside them, creating healthier communities.

Methane is the primary component of natural gas and one of the most powerful climate pollutants with over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. When methane escapes through leaks, venting, or malfunctioning equipment, it contributes to climate change and impacts the health of our communities. In 2023, Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry released approximately one million metric tons of methane, the emissions equivalent of 23 coal fired power plants or an additional 21,000,000 passenger vehicles. 

For Pennsylvanians, methane pollution is also a public health issue. Methane is frequently released alongside volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, and other toxic chemicals that contribute to ground-level ozone and have been associated with asthma, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, cancer, adverse birth outcomes, and other serious health concerns. Reducing methane emissions also reduces these harmful co-pollutants, helping improve air quality for communities across the Commonwealth.

Those benefits are particularly important because so many Pennsylvanians live near oil and gas development. Over one million Pennsylvanians live within one-half mile of an active oil and gas well, and many more live near compressor stations, processing facilities, pipelines, and other infrastructure. For these families, reducing methane pollution means cleaner air, healthier communities, and a better quality of life.

The organizations said the rulemakings provide an opportunity to target the sources responsible for the greatest methane pollution. According to the recent Appalachian Methane Initiative, low-producing well sites account for more than 60 percent of methane emissions while producing just 2 percent of the region's natural gas. 

A significant share, 47%, of the 71,000 low-producing well sites are owned by larger, well-capitalized companies with the resources to deploy proven methane-reduction technologies. As a result, the coalition encouraged DEP to develop standards that prioritize the largest sources of emissions while providing flexibility where appropriate, rather than relying on broad exemptions that could leave substantial methane pollution unaddressed.

The coalition said today's announcement marks the beginning of an important public process and pledged to work collaboratively with the Shapiro Administration, DEP, industry, labor, local governments, and community members to develop a durable, Pennsylvania-based rule that delivers meaningful benefits for the Commonwealth.

A strong methane rule will reduce pollution, protect public health, and reduce costly waste. By leading in this rulemaking, the Shapiro Administration can demonstrate that clean air, healthy communities, and climate leadership benefit all Pennsylvanians.

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Lauren Posey, Environmental Policy Advocate, Protect PT

"We appreciate Governor Shapiro and the DEP for taking this important step toward reducing methane pollution and better protecting Pennsylvania communities. For too many families living near oil and gas development, the impacts of air pollution are part of everyday life. This rulemaking is an opportunity to address those concerns with meaningful action.

The strongest methane standards will be those that focus on the largest sources of pollution while ensuring that the people most affected have a voice throughout the rulemaking process. Communities deserve clean air, transparency, and confidence that their health and quality of life will be prioritized during energy development.

Pennsylvania has an opportunity to demonstrate that responsible energy production includes protecting the people who live closest to it. We look forward to working with the DEP to help develop a rule that reduces pollution, strengthens accountability, and delivers real benefits for communities across the Commonwealth."

Alison L. Steele, Executive Director, Environmental Health Project

“Everyone in Pennsylvania deserves to be healthy, no matter where they live, but those near oil and gas infrastructure face higher health risks from pollution exposure.  Unintentional leaks and planned releases from facilities, pipelines, and other equipment emit methane and toxic co-pollutants that are harmful to those nearby.  Research demonstrates increased incidence of asthma, heart disease, birth impacts, cancers, and other conditions near oil and gas development.  Adverse health outcomes also contribute to poor economic outcomes when we consider increased medical costs, doctor visits, and days of missed work and school.

For that reason, it is essential that Pennsylvania have strong, health-protective policies that are based on reliable public health research. We are encouraged by today’s announcement from the Shapiro administration that the DEP will be developing a state methane rule for both conventional and unconventional wells. A strong example from Pennsylvania is more critical than ever, and Governor Shapiro has laid the groundwork for public health protections that can have real impact and longevity.  We look forward to seeing a comprehensive rule that is grounded in science, addresses often-overlooked sources of methane, and meaningfully protects the health of Pennsylvanians.”

Vanessa Lynch, Pennsylvania Campaign Coordinator, Moms Clean Air Force

"As a mom living in southwestern Pennsylvania, I know firsthand the importance of knowing the air my children breathe is safe. Families should never have to wonder whether pollution from nearby oil and gas operations could affect their children's health or their future.

Today's announcement is an important step toward giving Pennsylvania's parents that peace of mind. Strong methane protections won't just reduce methane, they will also reduce the harmful air pollutants that often accompany it, helping create healthier communities for our children to grow, learn, and play.

We don’t have to choose between a strong energy economy and healthy families. We can reduce pollution with smart, comprehensive, cost-saving protections that ensure our children can breathe clean air. That's the kind of future parents across the Commonwealth want to see."

Alice Lu, Policy Analyst, Clean Air Council

"Today's announcement is an important step toward protecting every Pennsylvanian's right to breathe clean air. Methane pollution is more than a climate pollutant; it often comes with toxic air pollutants that harm the health of people living closest to oil and gas operations.

Pennsylvania has an opportunity to reduce pollution in communities that have shouldered the environmental burdens of oil and gas extraction, while also reducing waste from the industry.

We thank Governor Shapiro and DEP for taking this step to protect clean air and healthy communities. This rule will demonstrate Pennsylvania’s environmental leadership, targeting the state’s largest sources of methane pollution while ensuring meaningful protections for impacted communities.”

Flora Cardoni, Deputy Director, PennEnvironment

“As Pennsylvania gets battered with the effects of extreme weather like wildfire smoke, dangerously high heat and damaging microburst storms, it's a reminder that we must do everything in our power to reduce the state's climate pollution as quickly as possible. The policy announced this week by the Shapiro administration is a commonsense and effective way to prevent the emission of millions of tons of one of the most potent climate pollutants– methane. By reducing methane emissions across the state from natural gas leaks, we will help protect public health, reduce climate pollution, and ensure cleaner air for current and future generations. We look forward to working with the DEP throughout the rulemaking process to help make that future a reality."

Melissa Ostroff, Pennsylvania Policy and Field Manager, Earthworks

“Governor Shapiro promised to protect Pennsylvania communities by cutting oil and gas pollution. Today’s announcement is a major step toward keeping his word. 

The Trump administration has chosen to put polluters before people, which is why the Shapiro administration must establish methane rules grounded in Pennsylvania’s own authority. The oil and gas industry can and must be held accountable to stop pollution that harms communities and our climate.

We have documented methane leaking across the whole supply chain. The good news is that many leaks can be fixed once detected. Rules that actually work should include strong standards for monitoring and accountability on wells of all sizes and types, well pads large and small, and include strong requirements for the ‘conventional’ well industry that is responsible for causing more than fifty-percent of industry’s methane pollution.

Pennsylvanians deserve clean air and a future without a climate in crisis. Cutting methane pollution from oil and gas is one of the fastest, most impactful and least costly actions we can take today. These rulemakings represent a chance to set a national example by adopting methane standards that are practical, science-based, and effective. We look forward to working with the DEP throughout this process to ensure the final rules protect public health and our climate.”

John Walliser, Senior Vice President for Legal & Government Affairs West Region, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

"We commend DEP and Governor Shapiro for taking this important step toward methane protections for Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth has both an opportunity and a responsibility to reduce unnecessary emissions while strengthening the long-term competitiveness of its energy industry. Environmental stewardship and economic growth are not competing priorities — a well-designed and durable methane rule will reduce waste, improve air quality, and provide regulatory certainty for operators investing in the Commonwealth's energy future.”