Hundreds of Thousands of Public Comments Support Commonsense BLM Methane Rule

Washington, DC -- The public comment period closed today on an attempt by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to gut a key safeguard that would limit methane pollution and other harmful emissions from oil and gas drilling operations on public lands. More than 400,000 comments were submitted, with the overwhelming majority in favor of keeping the existing rule in place.

The proposal would effectively eliminate a standard put forth by the Obama administration requiring oil and gas companies operating on public lands to limit methane pollution. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the time it remains in the atmosphere. The standard would also reduce ozone-forming pollutants that cause lung and heart ailments such as asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, as well as hazardous pollutants such as benzene, a known carcinogen.

Sierra Club is fighting back against the Trump Administration’s brazen assault on this critical climate and public health safeguard. After a successful public advocacy campaign, the standard withstood a congressional challenge last year, and the Sierra Club and its partners are currently involved in legal action to ensure that the rule is enforced as written.

In response, Sierra Club Beyond Dirty Fuels Campaign Director Kelly Martin released the following statement:

“Millions of Americans and diverse stakeholders weighed in when this standard was developed in the first place to protect our communities’ health and our climate. Now, once again, the public has made it clear that they support this commonsense safeguard and want the fossil fuel industry held accountable for their outdated and reckless practices. It’s time for Donald Trump and Ryan Zinke to listen to the people, not corporate polluters.”