Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Captina Creek, OH -- Yesterday, footage released by Earthworks revealed the extent of a massive methane disaster at an exploded XTO oil and gas site in Belmont County, Ohio. According to an incident report from the EPA, XTO estimated that the site has been spilling 100 million cubic feet of methane per day since February 15 -- double the daily amount that was leaked during the 2015 Aliso Canyon methane disaster -- and spilling an undetermined amount of pollution and toxic chemicals into Cats Run Tributary, which feeds to the Ohio River. Homes within a 1-mile radius of the disaster site were evacuated. XTO announced today that the leak has been plugged after three weeks.
Methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas that is linked to increased levels of asthma and other public health impacts, is 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the time it remains in the atmosphere. The Trump administration is currently working to dismantle two Obama-era safeguards that would safeguard communities and our air and water from the amount of methane pollution released by the oil and gas industry.
In response, Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Director Jen Miller released the following statement:
“It’s a relief that no one was injured by this accident, but it is outrageous and terrifying that XTO allowed this massive methane spill to go on for weeks, putting our communities’ health at risk and forcing people from their homes. Ohioans have been fighting against these projects for years because we know the risk they bring into our homes, our communities, and our lives. We must have strong safeguards to protect our communities from dangerous methane pollution. However, limiting methane pollution is not nearly enough. Ohio must transition to clean energy because it would protect our communities and economy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.